The Copernicus Legacy #1: The Forbidden Stone by Tony Abbott

This book was released in 2014, and I gave it a rating of four out of five. It is the first book in a new series. Wade, Darrell, Lily, and Becca travel the world in search of a relic hidden by Copernicus. Actually, there are twelve hidden relics, and together they create a machine that could change the history of the world. Literally. An evil group of murderers, led by a ruthless young woman, wants to get its hands on the invention and chases the kids across the planet. The adventure takes them to Germany, Italy, and eventually Guam, and the kids must do everything they can to guard the relics, and to stay alive.

Although the machine provides the science fiction/ fantasy for the book, the plot reads more like an adventure story. The kids are innocently drawn into the danger when they attend the funeral of an "uncle". Each kid has a talent, and they work together to solve the mysteries. It's always unbelievable to me how a few kids can travel the world battling professional killers, and win, but it's always fun to read.