An Assassin's Guide to Love and Treason

Gr 9 Up—A tale of spies and plots set near the end of Queen Elizabeth I's reign. After witnessing her father's death during a raid on their Catholic home, Katherine flees their estate disguised as a boy. She vows to avenge her father's death by carrying out a plan to assassinate the Queen. Tobias, a former printer and apprentice to Christopher Marlowe, is part of Sir Carey's spy and cryptography network. Aware of the plot, he and Carey collaborate with Shakespeare on a new play for the Queen called Twelfth Night, to draw out those involved. Katherine, passing as teen boy Kit, auditions for the play to gain access to the Queen. An attraction between Toby and Kit develops as they rehearse their roles, which complicates everything. The narrative alternates between Katherine's and Toby's perspectives. Questions of gender and identity are explored as Katherine enjoys the freedoms she has in her new gender. Toby knew he was attracted to men, but realizes he might be bisexual. The tension mounts as they perform for the Queen, and a plot change jeopardizes both of them. The ending is surprising with room for a sequel.