So I'm not a big middle grade reader as an adult but I'm so glad I found this book b/c I LOVED it. Alex and Ollie reminded me of the original Hardy Boys bond - not the bizarro paranormal CW series but the old school 1970s books. I loved that it had thriller like moments with lots of action and running from kidnappers and drug dealers. I was a little worried I'd be bored b/c of the age level but I wasn't a t all and it makes me want to read more middle school mysteries!

Very interesting read! The book pulled me in from the start and I wanted to see how it ended. Try it and see if this book is for you!

I had a hard time getting into this one, mostly because it was very sad. Now, I write a lot of sad stories, myself, but this one was rougher for me, for some reason. It was bleak, and also kind of hard for me to get into.

These are siblings to root for. I loved the way they looked out for one another after their Dad disappears. The mystery was well paced, with some real nail-biting moments. Of course as a tea drinker myself I loved all the tea references. Recommended for middle school.

This story was a combination of heartfelt and full of action! There is a wonderful bond between the two brothers – Alex and Ollie who have had a rough couple of years. Their mother is not in their lives, their father has just come back into it and their grandmother is about to move into assisted living. Ollie is prone to meltdowns and Alex has to deal with the brunt of it as well as shouldering other worries as well.
Their father disappears and the boys must track down information to help him. There are kidnappers, scenes where the characters are fighting for their life and drug cartels thrown into the mix!
Themes in the book include mental health and trauma.
Definitely for Upper Key Stage 2 and older readers due to the themes.

This story went in a completely different direction than I expected. It went full-on thriller with kidnappers, drug cartels, and run-for-your-life scenarios. But in between it was full of heart. Themes like trauma, mental health, and bonds between siblings, raised the book to a level that had me effectively invested. I’m usually not much of a mystery/thriller reader and would I have known it turned out to be like this, I wouldn’t have picked it up. But in the end, I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone.

What i loved was the gentleness that was depicted between the two brothers. It felt genuine even though i dont have first hand experience with kids on the spectrum and i enjoyed seeing and experiencing it through this story and the eyes of the big brother caring for his younger brother (though no child should have to care for its younger brother in this extent).

And yet i could not finish it. The characters were great but the overall story was not for me. I hope others feel different and devour it.

I wanted to read this book because it was set in a different country than I usually explore, and the protagonists are young children. I must warn the unaware reader that some of the events that befall the parents of the children in the narrative might be a little traumatizing for younger audiences (although, given the general consumption of kids nowadays, I cannot state that as a fact). I only bring it up because if I had read about the lives of the people in the narrative, I would have been more than a little depressed for quite a while at that age.
Alex and Ollie are brothers who have had a rough couple of years. Their father has just come back, and their grandmother is moving into an assisted facility. The mother is not in the picture.
Ollie has meltdowns, the signs of which Alex has learnt to pick up on. Alex is a resilient character, one who shoulders more than his fair share of heartache and worry. When his father suddenly vanishes while possibly leaving behind cryptic clues, the brothers set to track information down.
Some of the logic did not make too much sense to me, but the pace had the narrative moving and therefore kept things interesting.
There is a lot of action, with the kids running, jumping and hiding from things in order to ensure their father is safe.
I think the sensitive portrayal of Ollie and Alex's relationship and the casual misbehaviours of otherwise responsible adults was what helped my interest by the time I set the book aside.
I am not sure I would give this to my nieces to read, but parents who read it and think their children might enjoy it will be better judges of that. I would read another book written by the author.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This book narrates de story of two siblings trying to find their dad in the middle of a crime subplot that it's in some partes too much for a middle-grade book. I think it's a quick and original story, I've never read anything like this in a childrens book so I have to appreciate that.

I liked the main characters, Ollie and Alex, but maybe it would have been nice if they confirmed what Ollie had (which implied that he was on the autism spectrum) so it could give representation.

I would like to highlight that despite the simplicity of the writing, it manages to entertain the reader regardless of their age.

I recommend this book for children in their early teens, because it touches on sensitive topics (drugs, kidnapping, assault, insults) that may need to be handled carefully.

I forgot how much I love dark middle grade books until I read this one. This book is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time meeting a series of unfortunate events.

This was an undoubtedly a 5 star middle grade book. My class loved reading extracts of this. The two boys (Ollie and Alex) were lovable and investible. I was particularly impressed with the neurodivergent representation. Such an awesome crime mystery for children.

I was surprised to find the narrator was a young girl, and almost gave up on this book before I’d gotten very far. I’m glad I didn’t. It’s well written, moves along briskly, and both the characters and the mystery are a little out of the ordinary. The kids are pretty realistic - not the precocious/obnoxious type that is more common. The story contains some dark elements, but never gets too frightening. The resolution is satisfying, but also opens the door to what I hope will be further installments in this series.

Thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy of The Mystery of the Missing Tea Drinker. This was wonderful, i usually stay away from mysteries but this was so good and gripping!

Very fast paced easy read. Once I was settled with it read it in maybe an hour and a half.

Had some minor issues . Spelling, a sentence that kinda just stopped no punctuation like it was ment to be taken out but was somehow left in.

Solid story.

"The Mystery of the Missing Tea Drinker" by Bryl Davidson is a delightful and engaging mystery novel that will captivate readers from start to finish. Davidson's storytelling is filled with charm and wit, making for an enjoyable and satisfying reading experience.

The novel follows a clever and curious protagonist as they navigate a puzzling disappearance that revolves around a tea-drinking aficionado. Davidson masterfully weaves together clues and red herrings, keeping readers guessing and invested in unraveling the mystery.

One of the strengths of the book lies in its well-drawn characters. The protagonist is relatable and endearing, with a sharp mind and a knack for unraveling secrets. Supporting characters are equally memorable, adding depth and nuance to the story.

Davidson's writing style is engaging and immersive, painting vivid pictures of the setting and creating a cozy atmosphere that envelops the reader. The pacing is well-balanced, allowing for moments of introspection and character development while keeping the plot moving forward at an engaging pace.

Furthermore, "The Mystery of the Missing Tea Drinker" showcases Davidson's talent for crafting intricate and clever mysteries. The author expertly crafts twists and turns, providing a satisfying challenge for readers who enjoy trying to solve the puzzle alongside the protagonist.

In conclusion, "The Mystery of the Missing Tea Drinker" is a delightful and well-crafted mystery novel that will appeal to fans of the genre. Bryl Davidson's charming storytelling, memorable characters, and clever plot make this book a delightful read. Prepare to be immersed in a world of intrigue, tea, and captivating detective work.

Some serious topics about drugs, jail, and hints at possible rape/abuse in this book would make me gear it more toward YA, but with the main character so young, it probably ends up in middle grade and I'm not sure many kids would be ready for that which is why I would hesitate to recommend it for RA.

"The Mystery of the Missing Tea Drinker" by Bryl Davidson is a middle-grade novel that follows the adventure of Alex and his brother Ollie as they try to find their missing father. The book presents a fast-paced mystery with engaging characters and a whimsical atmosphere. Ollie, who is neurodivergent, proves to be a valuable partner in solving clues and seeing patterns. The relationship between the two brothers is heartwarming, and they face challenges and dangers as they unravel the mystery. The book touches on some heavier topics such as drug dealing, child abandonment, and violence, which may not be suitable for younger readers. Overall, it is an enjoyable read that combines mystery, adventure, and family dynamics.

I really wanted to like this book, unfortunately it was a miss for me. It took to long to get going, then the mention of drug dealing felt a bit off for a middle grade book. I really enjoyed the fact that it's set in Australia, but it wasn't enough to reel me in.

The Mystery of the Missing Tea Drinker is a fun, easy, middle-grade read.

One day, Alex and his little brother Ollie, realise that their dad has gone missing. All that’s left is a mysterious note.

I found this book super easy to read and was a nice little pick-me-up after a heavier read. Ollie is *********different (*********I’m not entirely sure if it said how) and it’s written in a way that doesn’t make him feel too childish or annoying, it just is. And I loved how clever Ollie is.

The mystery was intriguing and definitely kept me entertained. I was trying to read the next chapter at work just to see what happened.

I feel like that whilst the plot and pacing is middle grade some of the book felt a bit older. Alex’s voice felt like something I’d read in a (albeit younger) YA book. Same with the intensity of the bad guys and some of the themes.

What does a mystery have to do with tea? Well, you’ll find out in the story of the Mystery of the Missing Tea Drinker ☕️

This is a fast-paced crime solving novel for middle graders. I read this in just a few hours because it was written in a very easy way ☺️ I loved how a character with certain disabilities (like dyslexia) was written in the story and how his talents were shown. Loved the fact that it wasn’t just about the things he could not do, but mostly about his other way of thinking. I also really liked the cunning character of Mr. P. Besides that all I loved that in the beginning you kind of feel like Alex and Ollie’s dad is a bit of a loser, but in the end it all seems to be completely different. I liked that there was a flash-forward to the future of the characters ☺️

I think this is a great read for middle graders. I gave the book 3 stars, because I thought it was a little short and I would have loved to read more about certain characters. Also, I still have some questions left unanswered, so that’s why 😌 update: ooooh, I just heard there will be a next book which might just answer these questions 😍

I read this book as an ARC, but it has been published in April so you can get your copy of it now! 😁