Thomas The Tank Engine On the Case! Risky Rails (Thomas & Friends by Britt Allcraft

When Blondin Bridge suddenly collapses, poor Paxton is half-buried in rubble. Sir Topham Hatt dispatches Thomas in to take his friend's place.

"I LIKE WORKING WITH MY NARROW GAUGE FRIENDS," TOOTLES THOMAS.

Thomas is met with whistles of welcome and smiles from all the other hard-working engines--except for one.

A little green engine dodges into a tunnel every time Thomas gets near. Skarlooey explains that little Luke did something very bad and is afraid of being sent away from Sodor in disgrace.

"DON'T WORRY, LUKE," THOMAS SAID. I'LL FIND A WAY TO HELP YOU!"

It's Detective Thomas on the case. He interrogates Luke first, who reports that when he was being lifted from the delivery barge, he bumped a yellow locomotive who fell into the sea.

"AN IDEA FLEW INTO THOMAS' FUNNEL!"

But Paxton is eavesdropping on the conversation between Thomas and Luke and chugs at full speed to tell Diesel and Sir Topham Hatt, who declares that Luke must be deported from Sodor.

But there is overlooked evidence to be uncovered, and Detective Thomas discovers a clue that exculpates little Luke, in Britt Alcraft's new story, Risky Rails! (Thomas And Friends) (Pictureback(R)) (Random House), in a surprise ending that young fans of Thomas the Tank Engine will enjoy. For this spinoff of the DVD series, artist Tommy Stubbs provides detailed workplace illustrations which make this book absorbing to young train fans in this adaptation from the movie Blue Mountain Mystery.