any history/adventure/fiction set in real places?

[nightcat]

My ds (teen) still not hooked on books, was too unwell when little so we have loads of catching up to do. I was hoping to track down some books that are easy read, fiction stories but set in real places, ideally mystery, adventure, detective, history.
He enjoyed London Eye Mystery, also Voyage of Arctic Tern.
Could be biographical, but in a form of a (gripping) story rather than a collection of facts. Hates fantasy, I think this is to do with the fact that his imagination is not brilliant.
A sort of a book that would want to vist the place, like a Da Vinci Code, but for a younger age.
Any suggestions?

Alex Rider books no good?
I am not sure what reading ability level he's at? Or you just trying to flesh out geography for him?

What about the My Story historical diary series? We love them here

Terry Deary has also written some stories about life on Hadrian's Wall - there are others in a similar vein but can't remember them right now.

Have a look at The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean - a fantastic book based in Antarctica, so an unusual setting too. The descriptions of Antarctica itself are amazing and the storyline is an absorbing mystery-type.

Again, it would be helpful to know his reading age but how about Bill Bryson? His books are suitable for teenagers and very entertaining as well as all about different countries.

When I was a teenager I read the Willard Price Adventure series but they will have dated considerably and I'm not sure how they'd 'read' today - this link may help you decide!

thanks guys
Hard to tell reading age, as he only recently started to get interested in printed word, it had been quite a struggle, I would say around 12-ish maybe.
He is doing Leisure & Tourism GCSE so it would be good to make it more real for him with books. Also, from my childhood, I remember some really good books like that but they have not been translated into English and he is not bilingual due to health issues. Might even consider translating one to see if it would get him interested.
Hadrian's wall sounds good, so does Anatrctica, also anything Europe-wide?
Please keep the ideas coming..

These might not be his thing - but worth me suggesting!

Journey to the centre of the Earth
Around the world in 80 days
20,000 leagues under the sea - all 3 of those by Jules Verne

King Solomons mines - H Rider Haggard - probably way above most modern teens but I have heard of 10yos that have read it

Another thought - what about travel biogs, loads of good ones of those available

I recently read Vernes J to the C of the E to ds who is 8 - we are now reading Around the world in 80 days. We got the Michael Palin series out from the library on dvd and enjoyed watching it - even dd did and she is only 5
I got this set for christmas for me - but I imagine ds will be begging to borrow it in a few years!Palin set

thanks Laura, he has seen the films and nothing will now make him to read Verne's books, he says, oh yes, I ve seen that. In fact we went to see the musical Around the World too and both enjoyed it very much, pity it's not around much in theatres as I actually liked it better than the film.

I will check out King Solomon's mines (have seen the film and liked it myself but he hasn't).

I haven't considered travel biographies in depth, the only one we looked at was Branson & his son's Arctic trip, but didn't get very far, some are just too factual, what I am looking for is a good story as well as some real background. Just looked up amazon and one review described it as "rather boring", so I think it's not just us then. Can't see him getting hooked on the diary format, which from what I remember this book is written.

Nooooooooo he mustnt reject Jules - he is fab
Honestly the descriptions and humour in them is great (albeit subtle humour!)

My poor little verlandaise.......

King solomons has a vivid description of a mountain range called Shebas breasts if I remember rightly - and a map that looks like awoman........ well according to a recent description on Radio 4 anyway!

I am thinking of other suggestions

Biggles adventures are currently captivating DS1 (lots of geography in them mixed with adventure).