Gerald Wilkins never considered himself a particularly exceptional thirteen-year-old. But that was before he inherited twenty billion pounds, a... read full description
reviews
May 08, 2010
Karen
rated it: 
Remember when you were a kid and The Adventurous Four, The Famous Five and The Secret Seven were just the ticket for an exciting read (okay so you have to be of "a certain age" for that to apply), but I still remember how satisfying those books were. An adventure, a puzzle that had to be solved - by a bunch of kids of a similar age to yourself, all done and dusted and home in time for tea. Many a person "of a certain age" will attest that these books were the ones that got
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Mar 01, 2011
Vicky
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Take one 12 year old kid from Australia, one dead aunt in London - who also happens to be a billionaire - add a missing diamond, disinterested parents, and a butler reminiscent of Lurch from the Addam's Family, and you get an adventure full of twists and turns, murder and mayhem.
Gerald Wilkins has never met his great aunt Geraldine, but for some reason, she leaves him her entire estate when she dies. Gerald's mother is ecstatic and immediately takes off on "vacation," dumpi More...
Gerald Wilkins has never met his great aunt Geraldine, but for some reason, she leaves him her entire estate when she dies. Gerald's mother is ecstatic and immediately takes off on "vacation," dumpi More...
Feb 05, 2011
Alice
rated it:
This was a fun and exciting story, but the writing is a bit amateurish.... I was not surprised to discover this is the author's first novel. It reads like a screenplay, as if the author was hoping a movie studio would buy the rights to make it into a movie. The plot is pretty silly, but it's suspenseful and a fun read. Kids won't mind the plot holes.
I had planned to recommend it to my 11 year old, since there wasn't anything objectionable other than a couple of minor swear words More...
I had planned to recommend it to my 11 year old, since there wasn't anything objectionable other than a couple of minor swear words More...
May 27, 2010
Colleen
rated it: 
A delightful kids’ adventure with smart, capable heroes
Australian author Richard Newsome’s debut novel is a delight! The Billionaire’s Curse is the first in a trilogy and I can’t wait to read the sequels. He is a fabulous story-teller whose murder mystery full of quirky characters, spunky kids, creativity and adventure.
The story is every kids’ fantasy. Gerald Wilkins suddenly and unexpectedly inherits billions from an aunt he barely knew. He is also charged with sol More...
Australian author Richard Newsome’s debut novel is a delight! The Billionaire’s Curse is the first in a trilogy and I can’t wait to read the sequels. He is a fabulous story-teller whose murder mystery full of quirky characters, spunky kids, creativity and adventure.
The story is every kids’ fantasy. Gerald Wilkins suddenly and unexpectedly inherits billions from an aunt he barely knew. He is also charged with sol More...
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Oct 25, 2011
teacup_carousel
rated it: 
What a crudy book! The only thing preventing me from giving this book a one star rating instead of two is because, despite it's numerous flaws, I can see where this book would be a good selection for parents or teachers looking for a book for the male elementary school reluctant reader demographic. I think for students who have a hard time getting through books this would make a good selection but *only as a last resort*.
This book was filled with a lot of toilet humor and quite a few More...
This book was filled with a lot of toilet humor and quite a few More...
Nov 13, 2011
Stephenie
rated it:
The Billionairs Curse is very interesting to me.It is interesting to me because it is sort of a thriller and is also a mystery.It is about a boy who has a very rich great aunt who dies then she gives 20 million quid to Gerrald her great nephew.Gerrald does not know why he has inhereted the money insted of his cousins who spent evrey spare minute with Gerraldline [Gerralds great aunt].Gerrald dident even know she exsited but she knew him from all the leters Gerralds mom sent.When Gerrald goes to
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Aug 04, 2010
Amanda
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Imagine being turned into a multi-billionaire overnight. Gerald is suddenly the sole heir to a fortune his great aunt left him. He never met her. After reading a note written to him from his great aunt shortly before she died, he is thrown into a murder mystery. The biggest diamond in the world has been stolen and Gerald thinks it has to do something with his Great Aunt Geraldine's death. Along with his new friends Ruby and Sam, Gerald tries to figure out the whole mystery of her death and the r
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Jun 07, 2010
Jeanie
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When I first read this book, truth be told, I didn't hear about it or know much about it. All I knew was that it was a book for a young adult audience.
I thought the premise of the book was very interesting. Every kid wants a ton of money to play around with but what made this book interesting was the mystery quality about it. The main character is asked to avenge his grandmother's murder. The mysterious circumstance surrounding the plot and the adventurous aspect of it, made The Bill More...
I thought the premise of the book was very interesting. Every kid wants a ton of money to play around with but what made this book interesting was the mystery quality about it. The main character is asked to avenge his grandmother's murder. The mysterious circumstance surrounding the plot and the adventurous aspect of it, made The Bill More...
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Feb 23, 2010
Ally
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What a page turner! This book infuses mystery, mythology and adventure into a thrilling tale of a teenage boy whose mundane life gets turned upside down in an instant. After Gerald's vacation is cut short by the death of an unknown family member, Gerald finds himself suddenly the inheritor of his late great-aunt Geraldine's multi-billion dollar estate. He is charged with investigating Geraldine's mysterious murder, which involves a diamond, a curse and another crooked billionaire. As Gerald and
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Mar 14, 2011
Jessica
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I usually do not like reading books with sequels, simple because I have to wait for the next one to come out, but this book would be totally worth the wait.
Gerard was called into the principals office- but this time, it was not because of something he had done. Walking in, he saw that his mother had tears of joy in her eyes, simply because his great-aunt had died. That might strike one as odd, until the reader learns that his great-aunt was a billionaire.
At the reading of t More...
Gerard was called into the principals office- but this time, it was not because of something he had done. Walking in, he saw that his mother had tears of joy in her eyes, simply because his great-aunt had died. That might strike one as odd, until the reader learns that his great-aunt was a billionaire.
At the reading of t More...
Feb 24, 2010
Claire
rated it:
Recipient of the Text Award, (notable unpublished manuscripts in Australia/New Zealand)an adventure story set in England. Twelve year old Gerald is the unlikely recipient of a billions of dollars inheritance from an aunt her never knew. Lots of family jealousy, but more notably a murder plot. Gerald is warned from beyond the grave that his aunt has been murdered and his life is endangered as well. He is tasked with the who and the why of the murder.
He meets up with a clever set of twins a More...
He meets up with a clever set of twins a More...
Jul 30, 2011
Jen
rated it:
Lots of plot, not much character development. Should be just right for the reluctant male reader brigade. Gerald inherits a fortune from his British aunt, whom he has never met. As well, he inherits the mystery that surrounds her death (murder, she claims in a letter written before her demise). He is befriended by Sam and Ruby, who help him find a stolen diamond, in a secret crypt beneath an old house - all really likely of course. Lots of lucky chances help the plot gallop along, just read
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Aug 21, 2011
Sebastian C.
rated it:
Newsome, Richard. The Billionaire's Curse. New York: Harper Collins (Walden Pond Press), 2009. Print. pp344
How would you feel if you become an instant billionaire, get three houses and a private island and yacht from a great aunt you never knew? Well, Gerald a thirteen year old boy when he found that out, he was shell-shocked. The book The Billionaires Curse by Richard Newsome was an action packed mystery waiting to be opened. This book starts off when Gerald gets a mysterious letter More...
How would you feel if you become an instant billionaire, get three houses and a private island and yacht from a great aunt you never knew? Well, Gerald a thirteen year old boy when he found that out, he was shell-shocked. The book The Billionaires Curse by Richard Newsome was an action packed mystery waiting to be opened. This book starts off when Gerald gets a mysterious letter More...
Jun 18, 2011
Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids
rated it:
4.5 stars
An exciting read with a who done it, The Billionaire's Curse will engage young readers who love a fun, thrilling adventure. Thirteen year old Gerald Wilkins's world is turned upside down when he's jetted off from his home in Australia to attend the funeral of his late great aunt in England, a billionaire who's left her fortune to him. To make matters worse Gerald's greedy parents up and leave him for a get away in the tropics, he's started to receive death threats and he rec More...
An exciting read with a who done it, The Billionaire's Curse will engage young readers who love a fun, thrilling adventure. Thirteen year old Gerald Wilkins's world is turned upside down when he's jetted off from his home in Australia to attend the funeral of his late great aunt in England, a billionaire who's left her fortune to him. To make matters worse Gerald's greedy parents up and leave him for a get away in the tropics, he's started to receive death threats and he rec More...
Jan 29, 2012
Dan
rated it:
Gerald Wilkins, a 13 year old 8th grader is looking forward to a winter holiday spent snowboarding with his best friend only to have his plans dashed when his parents inform him that he will have to pass up the holiday to fly from Australia to England to attend the funeral of a Great Aunt he has never met. How boring is this going to be? Little can he imagine how much his life is about to change. At the reading of the Great Aunt's will Gerald learns that he has inherited $20 billion dollars, mak
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Oct 14, 2010
Robyn
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Gerald Wilkins is your average kid, in an average family leading an average life when suddenly a bit of "good luck" takes over his life with the energy of a tornado! Whisked away in a private jet Gerald finds that he is the soul heir to a fortune bequeathed to him by an English aunt he hardly knew.
Here is where the story breaks down a little for me (but that is because I am an adult - kids will never notice). The immediate reaction of Gerald's parents is to take an e More...
May 18, 2010
Mark
rated it:
Children's book? Even we adults who like a bit of Indian Jones-style adventure and a rapid read can enjoy this!
It's witty, exciting and has a bunch of characters you would like to have as friends. That makes their adventures and perils all the more exciting as you share their fears.
Can't wait for the next two instalments and their exotic locations.
I'd not only thoroughly recommend this book for teens, but also mums, dads and the grandparents.
It's witty, exciting and has a bunch of characters you would like to have as friends. That makes their adventures and perils all the more exciting as you share their fears.
Can't wait for the next two instalments and their exotic locations.
I'd not only thoroughly recommend this book for teens, but also mums, dads and the grandparents.
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Jan 16, 2011
Angela
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A kid with horrible Dursley-like parents inherits a billionaire's fortune and with it the request that he find the person who killed his great aunt. This is the first in a series so, while the murder mystery is solved, several questions and villians are left hanging--sure to return in the sequel. Our main character lucks into a pair of boy/girl twins who become his fast friends and sleuths-in-arms, also adding comic squabbles and character traits to the story. A fun, quick read.
May 28, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
Gerald's world turns upside down overnight when his great aunt Geraldine dies and he inherits her immense fortune. His parents quickly take of on a yacht while he is left to fend off the people want his money and a mysterious diamond casket while solving the mystery of his great aunt's murder and a missing diamond. Early on Gerald teams up with the affable twins, Sam and Ruby, for a fast-paced series of adventures as they solve the crime despite the numerous villains and the occasional rat and s
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Aug 10, 2010
Danie
rated it:
This is a great who-done-it for reader who are constantly looking for a new story. Gerald inheirets his great aunts estate worth BILLIONS of dollars to much of his families chagrin.
His Uncle hates him as does much of the staff and distant relatives. But when he opens up an envelope from his great aunt that explains that if she is dead then she has been murdered he must solve the murder and put things right.
His Uncle hates him as does much of the staff and distant relatives. But when he opens up an envelope from his great aunt that explains that if she is dead then she has been murdered he must solve the murder and put things right.
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Jul 05, 2011
Catrina A.
rated it:
I received this book in a GoodReads First Read Giveaway. This book is aimed at YA but I loved it being a mature adult. The life of Gerald changes overnight with the announcement of a family member's death but Gerald doesn't change. He cares about those close to him. I was very upset at the parents in this book. I loved the characters and the story line. I would recommend this book to young and old alike.
Nov 11, 2009
Susie
rated it:
This book is great! A rollicking adventure that reminded me of my own favourite childhood books, but with enough modern twists and characters that it in no way felt dated. I loved the sense of humour that came through, and enjoyed reading it to my kids as much as they loved it (demanding extra chapters each night... damn those cliffhanger chapter endings!). The whole family can't wait til Book 2.
Aug 06, 2011
Jen
rated it:
Lots of plot, not much character development. Should be just right for the reluctant male reader brigade. Gerald inherits a fortune from his British aunt, whom he has never met. As well, he inherits the mystery that surrounds her death (murder, she claims in a letter written before her demise). He is befriended by Sam and Ruby, who help him find a stolen diamond, in a secret crypt beneath an old house - all really likely of course. Lots of lucky chances help the plot gallop along, just read
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Jun 21, 2011
Katieb (MundieMoms)
rated it:
4.5 stars This is a great adventure series for middle grade readers. Here's a snippet from my review:
An exciting read with a who done it, The Billionaire's Curse will engage young readers who love a fun, thrilling adventure. Thirteen year old Gerald Wilkins's world is turned upside down when he's jetted off from his home in Australia to attend the funeral of his late great aunt in England, a billionaire who's left her fortune to him. To make matters worse Gerald's greedy parents up a More...
An exciting read with a who done it, The Billionaire's Curse will engage young readers who love a fun, thrilling adventure. Thirteen year old Gerald Wilkins's world is turned upside down when he's jetted off from his home in Australia to attend the funeral of his late great aunt in England, a billionaire who's left her fortune to him. To make matters worse Gerald's greedy parents up a More...
Mar 07, 2011
Brett
rated it:
Okay, so it's been done before. Many, many times before. A kid inherits a ridiculous fortune from a heretofore entirely unheard-of elderly relative: but before adjusting to his newly acquired unspeakable wealth, he must solve the mystery behind the relative's death, get caught in numerous improbable & incredibly life-threatening situations, & make fast friends (usually for the first time in his life) with some plucky kids he meets along the way, who make his adventure all the more exciting & ult
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Jul 15, 2010
Patricia
rated it:
This is a fairly challenging murder mystery, where a 13 yr.old boy inherits twenty billion pounds from an unknown great-aunt that he was named after, and she leaves him a note telling him that she was murdered and she wants him to find out who did it. Involves gigantic priceless diamonds, the British Museum, mysterious secret passsages and frightening villains. Great fun!
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Aug 15, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Gerald Wilkins is a 13 year old version of Indiana Jones in this mystery. I can't wait to read the next installment to find out more about the reasoning behind Great Aunt Geraldine's last minute decision regarding her will. The only thing that would have helped me enjoy this book more would be to listen to an audio version, complete with the characters' Australian and British accents.
Aug 03, 2010
Gwen the Librarian
rated it:
This was a fast-paced, action-filled adventure and was really everything I wished the 39 Clues had been. In spite of that, it wasn't the best book ever and there were a couple of pretty violent episodes at the end of the book - not too bad by Anthony Horowitz standards, but probably too much for the intended audience for this novel. I'd say 3.5 stars.
Jan 24, 2011
Terrie
rated it:
The beginning of this book was a page turner, Gerald Wilkens inherits billions of pounds from his great aunt whom he never knew along with information to find out who murdered her and stole the world's largest diamond.
The problem was that every plot turn was SO coincidental, the mystery unraveled so easily. It was as easy as falling down and landing on a crucial piece of evidence.
But kids will probably love it.
The problem was that every plot turn was SO coincidental, the mystery unraveled so easily. It was as easy as falling down and landing on a crucial piece of evidence.
But kids will probably love it.
Aug 25, 2011
Ellen
rated it:
This will be a great recommend for the tween audience. Non-stop action, likeable protagonists and despicable villains, and a not-too-obvious mystery. There are some far-fetched plot twists, but this will not prevent me from reading the next book in the series. There are some gory scenes, so make sure the younger tweens are warned.
