Foul Play Series by Tom Palmer 5 Books Collection Set - Children's Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set
Foul Play
Foul Play: Own Goal
Foul Play: Dead Ball
Foul Play: Killer Pass
Foul Play: Off Side

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Age Range: Ages 8-11 (Grades 3-6)

Overview
Tom Palmer's Foul Play series brings together fast, punchy football mysteries built for readers who want short chapters, big action, and a genuine reason to keep turning pages. Each story follows young football fans caught up in a real-world puzzle - a missing star, a match-fixing plot, a threat behind the scenes - where the beautiful game becomes the backdrop for detective work. Written in Palmer's trademark lean, high-energy style, these paperbacks are designed to hook reluctant and enthusiastic readers alike, pairing the thrill of the terraces with the satisfaction of a mystery solved.

About the Books
This five-book collection showcases Tom Palmer at his most gripping, taking football-mad readers from local pitches to high-stakes international fixtures. Palmer builds each story around a central mystery - a suspicious owner, a vanished player, a fixed result, a dangerous cover-up. The football setting isn't just color; it drives the plot, with locker rooms, training grounds, and stadium tunnels becoming scenes of investigation. Young sleuths use observation, persistence, and teamwork to untangle each case, echoing values of fair play and loyalty found throughout Palmer's work. Chapters stay short and the pace brisk, a hallmark of books built for readers who want a story that moves. Each title stands alone as a complete mystery, so readers can start with any book, though fans will enjoy spotting recurring themes of trust and honesty. The result is a collection equally at home in a classroom library or on a shelf at home - accessible for developing readers, engaging for confident ones, and packed with football authenticity.

Key Benefits

• Five complete football mystery stories in one paperback collection
• Short, punchy chapters built to keep young readers engaged and turning pages
• Written by Tom Palmer, a respected name in football-themed fiction for kids
• Ideal for reluctant readers who want fast-paced, plot-driven stories
• Great for classroom libraries, school reading corners, and home shelves
• A natural gift for football fans who enjoy sport and mystery combined

Book-by-Book Guide
Foul Play — The story that launches the series, centered on a mystery threatening the world of a football-mad young detective.
Foul Play: Own Goal — A plot involving a club's ownership puts loyalty and trust to the test both on and off the pitch.
Foul Play: Dead Ball — The action shifts to a high-profile international match under threat from those looking to fix the result.
Foul Play: Killer Pass — A new case pulls the young sleuth back into danger as another football mystery unfolds.
Foul Play: Off Side — The collection's mystery continues with fresh suspects, fresh clues, and the same football-fueled tension.

About the Author
Tom Palmer is a British author widely known for writing sports fiction that gets reluctant readers hooked on books. He has built a career writing short, fast-paced novels for young football fans, often working with publishers who specialize in accessible, dyslexia-friendly formats designed for developing and reluctant readers. Palmer's stories combine authentic footballing detail with clear, propulsive plotting, making his books popular choices for school reading programs, classroom libraries, and independent readers who want a quick, satisfying, page-turning story from start to finish.

Why You'll Love This Collection
Five complete football mysteries, one paperback set - perfect for birthday gifts, stocking stuffers, or building a summer reading pile. Short chapters and constant momentum make this an easy sell for reluctant readers, while genuine football detail keeps sports fans hooked from kickoff to final whistle.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.