SPYGLASS: Mastermind of Mayhem

By Author / Illustrator

David Solomons, illus Miguel Diaz Rivas

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Nosy Crow

ISBN

9781805132363

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

09-04-2026

Synopsis

The first book in a laugh-out-loud new series of hilarious, action-packed spy adventures from number one bestselling, multi-award-winning author, David Solomons. If you like James Bond with a dash of Johnny English, this is for you...

When Adam and his friends accidentally reveal the secret location of ex-MI6 quartermaster, Professor Goodspeed, they don't expect supervillains to turn up on their doorstep, looking for his most dangerous invention. Drawn into a dastardly plot, the friends must rescue the Professor and take on evil Dr Toe and all his henchmen to boot.

It's going to take buckets of bravery, a truckload of gadgets - including a flying bike, a robot-shark shield and, the deadliest of weapons, a glitter glue grenade - along with A LOT of luck to defeat the bad guys and stop them taking over the world. At least the summer holidays won't be boring...

A fast-paced, funny adventure series, packed with illustrations.

Look out for: SPYGLASS: Coldfinger

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Reviews

Donna

If you enjoy Alex Rider and adventure books, then you will surely enjoy Spyglass. With themes that have more emphasis on Q rather than James Bond, Solomons provides gadgets galore!

SPYGLASS: Mastermind of Mayhem is an excellent first book in what looks like a series which has a humorous twist on many James Bond themes i.e. 'Quantum of Shoelace' and the local butcher, 'For your pies only'. In fact it is packed full of humour.

The story follows Adam, Zada and Tyler. These three have been friends for years and enjoy the summer holidays which they spend at Adam's mum and dad's Holiday Park. This year, however, things are a little different, after they accidentally run into an ex-MI6 quartermaster, Professor Goodspeed.

This book has everything you would expect to find in a spy book - a Quartermaster, a villain, Aston Drake (a spy who Adam quotes endlessly), Karma the chameleon, Hoppenheimer the rabbit and of course a hero! I can't wait for the next one!

240 pages / Reviewed by Donna Ritchie, teacher

Sam

Stuck in a car, train or plane for a few hours this summer? Then make sure that you have a copy of Spyglass, Master of Mayhem by David Solomons with you. This action packed, spy adventure is a book that, once started, you won't want to put down. Some may think that 13-year-old Adam Stickland has the best life, living with his parents in a holiday park. Unfortunately for Adam, most of his 'free time' is filled with jobs given to him by his parents each day.

Once the school holidays begin and two of Adam's close friends, Zada and Taylor, arrive, he is more than ready to chill. However, while on a reluctant grocery delivery to an old manor house, the three friends unexpectedly cross paths with Professor Goodspeed, a former MI6 Quartermaster and most definitely a man of mystery. Goodspeed is furious when he finds out that Zada has uploaded a video of one of his gadgets to the internet. Professor Goodspeed's life is now in danger and the three friends must help him, before it's too late.

Spyglass, Mastermind of Mayhem is a brilliant, fun read and as the first in a new series, it most definitely sets the scene for more action-packed adventures. An ideal book for upper KS2 (ages 9+) or perhaps a less confident Alex Rider fan; with plenty of illustrations by Miguel Díaz Rivas, there is always something to make you want to read on. If you see yourself as a young 'Bond, James Bond', then this is the book for you.

240 pages / Reviewed by Sam, school librarian