This is the story of a secret, and also a secret story. This is the story of Cass and Max-Ernest, two friendless eleven-year-olds who come together to solve the age-old mystery surrounding a dead magician and the clues he left behind. The first in an addictive series!

This is the story of a secret. A secret so big and dangerous that even the story itself is a secret. To find out what it is, you have to risk everything...

Self-described survivalist Cass sees potential disaster everywhere, so no one believes her when a classmate is kidnapped by the dazzling but dangerous Dr L and Ms Mauvais. No one except super-talkative misfit Max-Ernest.

Cass and Max-Ernest team up to solve the mystery of the magician's notebook and the Symphony of Smells, discover a secret lost to the ages, and rescue their classmate before his brain is sucked out through a straw.

Along the way they must solve puzzles and word games and face incredible danger.

'A great book with a twisting, turning plot...Rivals the formidable Harry Potter and better than Lemony Snicket.' - Cameron, 12

'Exciting and funny, but beware, because once you start reading it you can't stop.' - Louis, 9