Book Review – Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady by Darlene Foster

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My book review this week is a five-star review for Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady by Darlene Foster. This is the eighth book in the Amanda Travels series, mysteries ideal for children aged 9 – 12 years. If you’re looking for an exciting children’s adventure set in a fascinating country, then I can’t recommend this highly enough.

What Darlene Foster says about Amanda in Malta

When I started writing this series, my goal was to introduce readers to unique parts of the world. Malta is one of those places. I fell in love with this remarkable country during a cruise stop. Half a day wasn’t nearly enough time to explore such an intriguing place so we returned to spend an entire week a year later. Throughout our time there, I kept saying how much Amanda would love it! I started jotting down story ideas on the plane coming home. I hope you enjoy Malta as much as I and Amanda did, and consider it a place to visit one day. 

What Amazon says

“Be prepared to learn a lot about the culture while you follow Amanda on her adventure.”—Laura Best, author, Bitter, Sweet

“What a great way for a young person to learn about a culture and to be inspired to experience other countries themselves.”—Irene Butler, author, Trekking the Globe with Mostly Gentle Footsteps

Amanda receives a postcard from her best friend, Leah, and is surprised to learn that she is in Malta with her aunt. Reading between the lines, she senses Leah is in trouble. Desperate to help her, Amanda travels to Malta with her classmate Caleb and his parents.

Amanda is intrigued by this exotic island in the middle of the Mediterranean, full of colourful history, sun-drenched limestone fortresses, stunning beaches and fascinating birds. But…who is killing the protected birds? Who stole a priceless artifact from the museum? And why is Leah acting so strange? She couldn’t possibly be involved in these illegal activities, or could she?

Join Amanda and her friends as they visit ancient temples, an exciting falconry and the enchanting Popeye Village, as they try to get to the bottom of the mystery of the Sleeping Lady.

Be sure to read all the books in this exciting Amanda Travels series!
1. Amanda in Arabia: The Perfume Flask
2. Amanda in Spain: The Girl in the Painting
3. Amanda in England: The Missing Novel
4. Amanda in Alberta: The Writing on the Stone
5. Amanda on the Danube: The Sounds of Music
6. Amanda in New Mexico: Ghosts in the Wind
7. Amanda in Holland: Missing in Action
8. Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady

Available at all Amazon outlets including Amazon US

My Review – also posted on Goodreads and Amazon Australia

An exciting mystery for children in a fascinating location

Amanda in Malta is Book 8 in the Amanda Travels series, and it is a great mix of mystery, adventure, travel and history.

I think this series is a brilliant concept, allowing young people to learn about wonderful places around the world while developing their reading at the same time. It’s sure to inspire an interest in travel, and each book in the series can be read as a standalone novel.

Amanda is a twelve-year-old girl who receives a strange letter from her friend Leah. Leah is visiting Malta with her aunt, and seems to be in trouble. Then a friend invites Amanda to travel there on vacation. The adventure plays out around the most interesting historic and tourist sites in Malta, so for the reader it’s almost as good as really being there. Tensions rise when a tiny Neolithic statue, The Sleeping Lady, is stolen from the museum.

This is an enjoyable mystery that young people will love. Amanda and her friends are courageous and daring, always willing to head into danger, and the story is a real page-turner. The historic and tourist sites are brilliantly woven into the action, and are integral to the most dramatic scenes.

I was very interested in this book, having visited Malta on a cruise about four years ago. It was a pleasure to visit again through Amanda’s eyes, and learn so much more about it.

Although suited for children aged 9 – 12, it would also be excellent for anyone learning English or trying to improve their literacy. it’s an easy and enjoyable read, so would be a great choice for reluctant readers. The whole series would be a good gift idea for children of the right age.

This is the sort of story that ticks all the boxes, helping to inspire a love of reading in children as well as expanding their general knowledge. I give it a resounding five stars.

About Darlene Foster

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Growing up on a ranch near Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, Darlene Foster dreamt of writing, traveling the world, and meeting interesting people. She also believed in making her dreams come true. It’s no surprise she’s now the award-winning author of Amanda Travels, a children’s adventure series featuring a spunky twelve-year-old who loves to travel to unique places. Readers of all ages enjoy following Amanda as she unravels one mystery after another. When not traveling herself, Darlene divides her time between the west coast of Canada and the Costa Blanca, Spain with her husband and entertaining dog, Dot. http://www.darlenefoster.ca

Darlene Foster’s Other Books

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You can find her Amazon author page HERE

Thank you for stopping by. My name is Toni Pike, a multi-genre author who loves writing thrillers for adults, non-fiction, and hilarious books for children.

I’m the author of DESOLATION BLUFF, DEAD DRY HEART and The Jotham Fletcher Mystery Thriller Series: THE MAGUS COVENANT, THE ROCK OF MAGUS, THE MAGUS EPIPHANY and HOLY SPEAR OF MAGUS.

The Brody Cody Series is for children aged 6-9: BRODY CODY AND THE STEPMOTHER FROM OUTER SPACE and BRODY CODY AND THE HAUNTED VACATION HOUSE.

I’m also the author of two non-fiction books. THE ONE WAY DIET is a no-nonsense guide to losing weight and HAPPY TRAVELS 101 is a short book of travel tips.

All My Books Blog

All my books can be found HERE.

You can find me online here:

Website: tonipike.com

Amazon author page: Toni Pike

Instagram: @authorlovestravel  – Sharing my travel photos from around the world

Facebook: Toni Pike – Author

Goodreads

Twitter:  @piketoni1

Linkedin Toni Pike – Linkedin

Email: authortoni.pike@gmail.com

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48 thoughts on “Book Review – Amanda in Malta: The Sleeping Lady by Darlene Foster”

  1. petespringerauthor

    Great review, Toni. It really is time for me to get to another Amanda book. Darlene has found an engaging formula that works by combining knowledge about a particular place with an adventure story.

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. Darlene

    Reblogged this on Darlene Foster's Blog and commented:
    Just when I thought life couldn´t get any better, I woke up to this fantastic review the other morning. I love when the reader gets what I try to do with these books; inspire a love of reading as well as provide some interesting facts about a place. Thanks, Toni.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Miriam Hurdle

    Congratulations to Darlene. I enjoyed reading this wonderful review, Toni. This book means a lot to you since you had visited Malta on a cruise. I also love this young detective story.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Liked by 2 people

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  9. D. Wallace Peach

    I just finished Amanda in New Mexico, Toni, and I couldn’t agree more about how deftly Darlene weaves history and culture into an exciting story. I’m sure this one will pop up on my kindle before long. Then I’ll be wanting to travel to Malta! Great review! Congrats to Darlene.

    Liked by 2 people

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  11. dgkaye

    What a fabulous review Toni, for Darlene’s book and series. I do believe it’s a clever series because Darlene not only entertains the children with Amanda’s stories, but they are learning about different parts of the world as well. Congrats to Darlene! Hugs to both xx

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    1. Toni Pike Post author

      Thank you so much, Debby – I agree with you that Darlene’s series is a great concept. It’s such a fun way for a child to learn about the world. Have a fantastic week. Toni xx❤️❤️

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  12. olganm

    Great review, Toni, and congratulations to Darlene. I’ve read many excellent reviews of her series, and it is a winning combination. I haven’t visited Malta, but I’ve wanted to for a long while, so that is definitely a plus for me. And thanks for the suggestion about its suitability for English learners. I am teaching English at the moment, and it’s not always easy to find engaging and suitable reading material. ♥

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Toni Pike Post author

      Thanks so much, Olga. I’m sure your students would love it, and it also gives a great introduction to Malta. i hope you’re able to visit one day – there is so much to see. Have a fabulous week. Toni x

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