The Billionaire's Curse

Winner of the 2010 LIANZA, Esther Glen Award for Children's Fiction and Shortlisted for the Australian Book Industry and the NSW Premier's Literary Awards. Gerald has just become the richest thirteen-year-old on the planet, the world's most valuable diamond has been stolen, and it seems there has been a murder. Now Gerald's life is in danger. But who can he trust? When the Valentine twins, the rat-fearing Sam and the gymnastic Ruby, rescue Gerald from the clutches of the sinister thin man they set off to solve the mystery of the stolen diamond. It's an adventure that takes them into secret passageways, a musty bookshop, an ancient crypt, the tower of a ruined church and a colossal cavern where the secret of a priceless treasure lies protected by deadly booby traps. The Billionaire's Curse is the first book of The Billionaire Trilogy. Richard Newsome lives in Brisbane with his family. He won the inaugural Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing for The Billionaire's Curse. 'Engaging, endearing and a charmingly retro who-dun-it, The Billionaire's Curse is a first-rate adventure, with plenty of humour, suspense and wonderful writing...Junior fiction readers who enjoy Famous-Five style thrillers will be delighted with this spirited and comical romp...' Independent Weekly 'Newsome has created a ripping whodunit-style yarn for young adults.' Sunday Age 'Filled with secret passageways and deadly booby traps, you'll be on the edge of your seat!' K-Zone 'Weird dreams, kidnapping, attacks by bandits, hectic chases and eerie explorations in archaeological sites...slapstick humour, verbal wit and a pervasive spirit of youthful exuberance.' Magpies 'A rollicking good yarn.' Weekend Herald 'An irresistibly fun-tastic tale that's virtually guaranteed to keep youngsters reading, chuckling and desperately waiting for the next book in the series.' Independent Weekly