The Intrepid Explorers: The Mysterious Case of The Stolen Suling

by Christelle Delli, Josée Delli, Daniel Draganov (Illustrator)

Solve the riddles. Find the stolen artefact. Survive the mission.

When thirteen-year-old Archie signs up for a high-stakes virtual reality game, he has no idea he's about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Thrown together with four unlikely teammates, Archie must decode historical puzzles, defeat dangerous pirates, and survive a cassowary attack...all to recover a priceless painting before it’s lost forever.

But just when the team thinks the game is over, a mysterious email changes an ancient and sacred artefact, the royal flute of Makassar, has been stolen. It's time for the Intrepid Explorers to take on a real-world mystery.

From crocodile-infested swamps and an abandoned mine in the Australian desert to a bobby-trapped room in a famous art gallery, the five children will face life-threatening challenges and cross paths with some seriously bad guys determined to stop them. They’ll have to rely on their courage, survival instincts and ability to solve cryptic puzzles to complete their mission before time runs out.

But will they be able to recover the sacred object before it vanishes forever?

Perfect for fans of Explorer Academy, City Spies, and Treasure Hunters, this action-packed mystery blends culture, history, and high-stakes adventure.

This book is the debut instalment in a new mystery-adventure series that takes middle-grade readers on epic quests around the world, exploring cultures, wildlife, and landmarks along the way.

Adventure awaits, so grab your copy now!

307 pages, Paperback

Published August 20, 2025

Reviews

[Marguerite Pienaar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping Adventure My 12-Year-Old Couldn’t Put Down!

My daughter (12) absolutely loved The Intrepid Explorers: The Mysterious Case of the Stolen Suling! From the very first chapter she was hooked, swept up in the adrenaline-filled adventures of the team. The pacing kept her turning the pages late into the night, and the exciting twist at the end left her grinning from ear to ear.

As a parent, I am so thrilled to see her so engaged with a story that balances action, friendship, and mystery so brilliantly. Christelle has a real gift for writing in a way that draws young readers in and keeps them invested until the very last page.

Highly recommended for any young reader who loves adventure, suspense, and a clever plot with surprises along the way. Congratulations to Christelle on creating such a fantastic book — we can’t wait for the next one!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such fantastic book! Our first journey with the Intrepid Explorers was an awesome start, with a great storyline my two boys really enjoyed and so many great fun facts (we learnt history, geography, biology and art, and the kids were none the wiser that they were in fact learning). Archie and the gang are written well, with plenty of character development as the kids continue on throughout their adventure. We have also really loved the community and additional mini stories and resources Christelle has created on her website. This is definitely worth the read and we look forward to book 2!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 11 year old boy read this book and absolutely loved it. It grabbed him from the first page. He really enjoyed all the facts that was intertwined throughout the book especially learning about the folklore of Australia. The storyline was easy to follow and cant wait to read the next one. Overall excellent read. 5 stars.
He suggests it would be a good read for ages 8 and up. This book is for anyone who likes to solve puzzles.

[Alejandra Mendoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my 8- and 10-year-olds and we absolutely loved this book! We got completely caught up in the adventure, especially the part in the Outback. The plot twist totally surprised us, we didn’t see it coming at all!
We also learned so much about Australia’s wildlife and history without it ever feeling like a “lesson.” It really felt like we were there exploring Kakadu, the Outback and all the other sites with the characters. 5 stars for us!!

[Gordon Manley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight to read—both exciting and educational. I read it with my daughter, and we were equally captivated; neither of us wanted to put it down! Beyond the thrilling storyline, the way it weaves in fascinating facts made the experience even more enjoyable. We’re already looking forward to the next adventure in the series.

[Kerri B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been reading The Intrepid Explorers aloud to my 7 year old, and he is absolutely captivated! Every chapter leaves him wanting more, and I have to admit I’m just as hooked. Archie’s adventures are exciting, full of puzzles and twists, and the writing brings everything vividly to life. It’s the perfect mix of fun, danger, and imagination. We can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

[Zoë · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your looking for a thrilling adventure that weaves in fascinating historical, geographical, natural world and cultural knowledge about Australia. Then this is it! Its a well written story where you can learn so much whilst enjoying all the plot twists and challenges that are faced!

[Aroha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Very well written and draws you in so you want to keep reading it. Especially loved the learning aspects in amongst the thrilling adventures.
Can't wait for more in the series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both educational, well researched and exceptionally written. Very hard to put it down. Kids loved every moment of it. Even I as an adult has learned a few new things!