The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

This is the second book in the Mysterious Benedict Society series.  I read the fist one more than a year ago and even though I liked it, I read the second one just now.  This book starts a year after the Mr. Benedict recruited four children to help thwart the evil plans of Mr. Curtain at the institute.  They meet each other again because Mr. Benedict has a big surprise for them.

Things do not go as planned and the children are thrown into a long and dangerous chase that involves solving puzzles (main draw of this series for children), taking advantage of their individual talents, and showing courage in the face of danger in order to save Mr. Benedict who was kidnapped by Mr. Curtain.  While the first book confined the children to the institute, this one takes them to a remote island via trains, bikes, ship and plane.  There is that word journey in the title after all. Elements of peril are primarily the Ten Men, Mr. Curtain's henchmen who have no problems harming children, and the crafty Mr. Curtain himself. 

Because this is a series for children, Mr. Benedict did get rescued and all is well for the meantime.  Mr. Curtain escaped and I expect he will be a more dangerous villain in the third book.

Book #3 for 2014.

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