Authors Note:

This book is dedicated to the birds of the Kepler and my little cousin Abby

Also I would like to thank my cousin Jack for kindly drawing the illustrations in this book.

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/afjz5q6jbsus

It's a normal sunny day on the Kepler Track. All the birds are playing around. A mummy kakapo is feeding her chick, and a tui is drinking sweet nectar from a kowhai.

The crime solving Forest Five are relaxing in their hut.The weta, Maurice, is inventing in his hollow tree stump. Charlie, the kaka, is filling his belly with huhu grubs from a rotten log. The kiwi,Tu Meke, the leader, is sleeping on a rock. Bree, the fantail, is grooming herself. And Abby, the blue duck, is snorkeling in a river

"Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet". The bell bird tune is being played meaning trouble and that someone needs help. It's time for the Forrest Five to assemble.

The Forrest Five open the door to their hut to see a very worried Mrs Yellow Crowned Parakeet. "All-ll the egg-gs have been stole-en at the Iris Burn," she stutters.

"What?" they all yell.

"We better solve this problem," says Tu Meke. " But who would want to steal all the eggs ?"

The Forrest Five begin their journey towards the Iris Burn to solve the crime. Mrs Yellow Crowned Parakeet tags along. They swoosh, flap, stomp, jump, in the direction of the Iris Burn.

They arrive to the scene to see many worried birds. "All of our eggs have been stolen," they exclaim!

"OK," the Forrest Five say. "We better look for clues if we are going to solve this mystery, because sitting on our bottoms isn't going to help."

Everyone begins looking high and low for clues. Bree finds claw marks on the side of a tree. Mrs Rifleman finds foot prints in the mud. Abby finds some fur stuck in the tussocks. And Charlie finds nothing but a huhu grub or two too eat from a rotten log. Tu Meke watches. He sees the clues are heading in one direction.

"I think I know were the eggs went!" Tu Meke yells pointing to a small track. The track has foot prints that are leading away from the crime scene, and fur and claw marks too.

Together the Forrest Five follow the track finding more clues as they go. Abby yells "There is something in the distance and it looks like a den that some crooks may live in!" They all go quiet and begin creeping towards the distant den.

The five approach the den and all can see the glow of bird eggs coming from a tunnel. "I think we have found our eggs," Tu Meke whispers. But then "BAM!" running out of the den is an army of stoats ready to fight.

The robbers scowl and the Forrest Five charge!

Charlie picks up Tu Meke and begins flying above the den. The rest of the crew head for the door.

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