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Hunt for the Golden Scarab

Time Keys Series

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(16 reviews)

M. G. Leonard is an author we've long supported, so we couldn't be more excited about this black-and-white illustrated time-travelling fantasy series for readers aged 8+.

Time Keys nods to some all-time favourites like Indiana Jones and Dr Who: in each book, our protagonist Sim travels through different times in history to solve a new mystery, piecing together different long-hidden clues. With family secrets and villains just around the corner, this is an adventurous series that also teaches its readers a thing or two about history. There's music, mythology, magic, martial arts... plus black-and-white illustrations throughout by Manuel Šumberac that make the adventures ever so exciting!

If you'd love to read something thrillingly fast-paced and are a fan of Adventures on Trains, The Battle of the Beetles and The Twitchers, look no further. 

If you love this series, be sure to also check out our Best Magical and Fantasy Series for 9 and 10 year olds blog post.

All the Time Keys books in order:

Book 1: Hunt for the Golden Scarab (2025)
Book 2: The Legend of Viking Thunder (2025)
Book 3: The Impossible Gladiator (February 2026)
Book 4: Attack of the Sea Dogs (September 2026)

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Book 1
Hunt for the Golden Scarab
Book 1

Hunt for the Golden Scarab

The action adventure of Gladiator meets the time travel of Doctor Who!Join the journey to Ancient Egypt in Hunt for the ... MoreHunt for the Golden Scarab

(10 reviews) 5 10
Review
Book 2
The Legend of Viking Thunder
Book 2

The Legend of Viking Thunder

'A complete triumph of imagination . . . readers are going to fall in love with this brilliant series.' – A. F. Steadman... MoreThe Legend of Viking Thunder

(3 reviews) 4 3
Review
Book 3
The Impossible Gladiator
Book 3

The Impossible Gladiator

'A complete triumph of imagination... readers are going to fall in love with this brilliant series.'A. F. Steadman, best... MoreThe Impossible Gladiator

(3 reviews) 5 3
Review
Book 4
Attack of the Sea Dogs
Book 4

Attack of the Sea Dogs

‘Thrilling time-travel adventure’ - The Guardian'Readers are going to fall in love with this brilliant series' — A. F. S... MoreAttack of the Sea Dogs

(0 reviews)
Review
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New Book

The Impossible Gladiator

The Impossible Gladiator

12th February 2026
(3 reviews) 5 3

Most Popular Book

Hunt for the Golden Scarab

Hunt for the Golden Scarab

30th January 2025
(10 reviews) 5 10

Coming Soon

Attack of the Sea Dogs Attack of the Sea Dogs

Attack of the Sea Dogs

Paperback
17th September 2026

Recent Reviews

  • Hunt for the Golden Scarab

    Hunt for the Golden Scarab

    by myka

    My daughter is now obsessed with finding Nerfertitis scarab! She loved the story, although found some of the descriptions around mummification a bit g...

  • The Impossible Gladiator

    The Impossible Gladiator

    by misswynnreads__

    This is the third book in the time keys series by MG Leonard. So far we have travelled to Ancient Egypt, battled with Vikings and now we are off to se...

  • The Impossible Gladiator

    The Impossible Gladiator

    by ESCP

    Sim, Nelson and Jeopardy are back with Sim's mum, Callidora and Jeopardy's dad, Emmett. Calli and Emmett are no longer able to hear the time doors so ...

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