1 - Summer Break and Killer Birds

Summertime. Never-ending days spent roaming the countryside looking for something to do. Boredom and bliss in equal measure. But underneath the sweet Swedish summer, something stirs. Something is wrong. It begins with a talking bird, and soon the Kids are involved in a nefarious plot. Can they solve the Mystery before it is too late?     ---------------------------------- SUMMER ON THE MÄLAREN ISLAND It’s summer break, the sun is up almost around the clock, and it’s very hot. Birches, pines, ferns, and blackberry thickets cover the landscape. Mosquitoes plague those who venture out into the thickets and woods where rabbits, foxes, and deer attend to their newly born.   Along the shore, one can see small fish and flies that thrive in the seaweed. Children pick flowers and sorrel, swim and play tag. Teenagers stay up all night, drink beer and race souped-up mopeds, try snuff for the first time, and make out in badly pitched tents. The gardens smell of barbecues and fresh paint on the picket fences. The Swedish flag flies from flagpoles, and the radio program Summer can be heard from the verandas at 1 pm every day.   Freshly caught fish from one of the fishermen down at the harbor, home-grown new potatoes, and strawberries are eaten in large quantities. At the kiosk, the GB-clown tempts young and old with ice cream, Storstrut, and Lakritspuck.