Himalayan Heist

By: Jane Wilson-Howarth

Narrated by: Jane Wilson-Howarth

Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Sound interesting? The author thinks so too! Listen to Himalayan Heist and experience the compelling adventures of Alex, James, and Bim as they make their way through the wilderness.

"This is adventure story for young adults is a breathlessly exciting page-turner, in the long tradition of quest stories. The complex and shifting relationships of the three main protagonists Alex and James, and their engaging girl companion Bim, are put to the test as they work their way through the beautiful and dangerous Nepali landscape. They know what they have to do, but not what they will be required to face. Perils confront them at every turn. The countryside, presented in vivid and almost tactile clarity, can be beautiful, but also menacing. In many adventure stories the characters are the main interest and the setting is little more than a lifeless backcloth; or the landscape is the writer's real subject and the protagonists are anaemic stereotypes whose only purpose is to move the story forward. But here the characterisation is enmeshed within the action and the setting. Without noticing, readers find themselves caring about the characters, anxious when they are separated, comforted when they are reunited. Wilson-Howarth writes about places and people she knows well, so there is an integrity in her writing and a total authenticity in the heft and feel of the story. So her accounts of the wildlife, the valleys and mountains and rivers, and the people the three main characters come across, have truth in them." (Victor Watson, editor of The Cambridge Guide to Children’s Books in English)

"In this fast-moving adventure story, the unthinkable happens several times over! From a plane crash-landing in the remote mountains of western Nepal, we follow Alex, Bim and James as they escape from the wreckage, crossing terrifying torrents and battling through dense forests—where bears are the least of their problems. This is more than the story about three children trying to find their parents again. It's also a glimpse into the wicked world of underground trading in animal parts and a quest to bring wildlife-killing criminals to justice." (Prof Anna Robinson-Pant)

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Jane Wilson-Howarth (P)2022 Jane Wilson-Howarth

Well told adventure

Wonderful narration of a lively story with great characters lively story with great characters.

Catchy, will bring you right into Nepali hills

Great listening, enjoying the voice of author herself, who is amazing narrator and brings the emotion and atmosphere to the moment they belong. Many Nepali realities including sounds of Nepal will make you feel you are right there, in the hill communities or in the bustling streets of Kathmandu. Surprising turns full of adventures, caring humor and group of young heroes who face the unexpected and overcome discomfort with a courage are inspiration for many older ones :)

Teenage Adventure in the Himalayas

Himalayan Heist, a YA book by Jane Wilson-Howarth, is about three teenagers stranded in the Himalayas after a small plane crash. They make their way over treacherous mountain passes, through dense forests, and over rickety bridges and icy, glacial rivers. They struggle with finding their way and enough food to eat, while facing off with smugglers, bandits, and wild animals. The story moves quickly from adventure to adventure and the kids, though prone to squabbling and errors in judgement, are able to eventually work together to find their way to safety and foil the plans of some very shady smugglers. The book was read by the author who has a lovely British accent.

Well read, easy to understand and enjoyable

By a listener who is not able to post for themselves with their own account:



From looking at the cover of the book I wouldn’t normally have chosen to listen to this audiobook. However I am pleased I did.



It is very interesting learning about Nepal and the characters surviving in the Himalayas. I didn’t like James's character because he farts a lot at the beginning and is mostly talking about food at inappropriate times. However I liked Alex's character and I liked the other main characters. I liked how Alex was so knowledgeable about animals and plants and ecological and animal welfare.



I think Jane’s voice is really good and the book is well read and easy to understand and enjoyable to listen to. Her reading is a lot better in my opinion than some other audiobooks I have listened to on audible and the library app.



The photos in the accompanying PDF really help the listener to visualise what some of the things and places in the book would look like and is a helpful addition. On the PDF I learnt that Jane had taken most of the pictures herself and written what they are.

This validates her knowledge of Nepal and the animals and culture.

This book has an enjoyable story but also a serious animal welfare theme and interesting setting.