Ahoy there - let's set sail to St Mary's Island, Madagascar, for an adventure involving 'mad monkeys', talking Vasa parrots and a shipful of smelly pirates

Worse still, it seems Midas is more used to his camera crew getting him out of trouble. It's going to take all Charlie's strength, intelligence to get them home safely. She'll have to learn all about Madagascar and stop an evil pirate plot by solving a strange treasure hunt. Can she trust a down-on-his-luck pirate, a strange ship's cat and a chatty parrot to help her? And can she convince Midas that teamwork is the answer to all their problems?

Ten-year-old Charlie Hill can’t believe it when she wins a day with her hero, TV adventurer Midas. But she has a bigger shock when Captain Kidd's compass transports her and Midas back in time to a pirate ship in 1720.

Mistaken for a boy stowaway Charlie must complete three dangerous challenges if she's to stay on board - and alive!

Midas and the Pirates by Susan Humphreys is the first in a series of adventure novels for children aged 8-12 and was longlisted in the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 100th edition novel writing competition.
Susan, 35, who works in a museum like her fictional hero is a former journalist.

She is now seeking an agent and publisher for her books.

This website looks at the inspiration for Susan's first book, Madagascar, its animals and the pirates who made it their home.