The Billionaire's Curse (Billionaire #1)

Author(s): Richard Newsome

8-12+ Years

Gerald's life is in danger. Someone has stolen the world's most valuable diamond and a constable lies unconscious in the British Museum, two sedative darts protruding from his backside. Not something Gerald Wilkins knows or cares anything about. Not until he finds himself on a private luxury jet heading for London to attend the funeral of a great aunt he has never met. Not until he inherits her estate, worth twenty billion pounds. Not until he opens a bundle of envelopes from his dead great aunt. Was she murdered? Who stole the diamond? And what is the mysterious casket that everyone seems to be looking for? With the help of the Valentine twins, the rat-fearing Sam and the gymnastic champ Ruby, Gerald's got a mystery to solve. A mystery that will take them into secret passageways, a musty bookshop, an ancient crypt, a ruined tower and a colossal cavern where the secret of a priceless treasure lies protected by deadly booby traps. The Billionaire's Curse is an irresistible adventure story with an array of curious characters, ancient folklore and a whodunnit. Young and not-so-young adults, get ready to stay up late.


Product Information

* Giveaways in select children's magazines such DMag and K-Zone * Significant marketing budget for advertising in YA literary magazines, including the front cover of Junior Bookseller & Publisher magazine * Online advertising on bookseller websites * Featured in the Text newsletters and on the Text website * Special newsletter mail out to YA subscribers * Posters available for schools and bookshops * Author to attend a major writers' festival in 2012

Winner of The Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing 2008 and Esther Glen Award 2010. Shortlisted for ABIA Australian Book of the Year for Older Children (8 to 14 Years) 2010 and NSW Premier's Literary Award Patricia Wrightson Prize 2010.

'I would suggest this book to anyone who likes a good mystery and is willing to risk a disrupted sleep pattern. An enthralling read.' -- Gonzo, aged 16 'It's a suspenseful, thrilling adventure with great twists at every turn.' -- Meg, aged 10 'The Billionaire's Curse was such an awesome book. I adored it! It was very interesting. It was like half action and half mystery. My favourite part was at the end when they are at the place where the casket is. I read it in exactly two and a half days. I can't wait until the second one comes out!' -- Declan, aged 10 'I thought it was very good...it was like a crime novel and Indiana Jones put together.' -- Mitchell, aged 9 '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

Richard Newsome lives in Brisbane with his family. He won the inaugural Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing and the Esther Glen Award for The Billionaire's Curse, the first book in the Billionaire series.

General Fields

  • : 9781921922756
  • : Text Publishing Company
  • : Text Publishing Company
  • : 0.268
  • : October 2011
  • : 198mm X 129mm
  • : Australia
  • : September 2014
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Richard Newsome
  • : Paperback
  • : 1
  • : English
  • : [Fic]
  • : 10+
  • : 368
  • : YFCB