Palace of Spies

Gr 7 Up—Orphan Peggy Fitzroy is expelled from her caregiver's home when she refuses to marry a despicable suitor. Homeless and desperate, she accepts the help of mysterious Mr. Tinderflint, who reveals surprising details about his connection to her deceased mother. In exchange for information about her mother's life, she must act as his spy, impersonating a recently (and suspiciously) dead maid of honor in the court of King George I. Can Peggy maintain her façade as she investigates palace intrigue and the cause of her predecessor's demise? Full of vibrant descriptions that bring court life and 1716 England alive, the author weaves a dynamic, although at times farfetched, plot. The protagonist, clever and witty, makes a compelling heroine. Fans of J. Anderson Coats's The Wicked and the Just (Houghton Harcourt, 2012), Gail Carriger's Etiquette & Espionage (Little, Brown, 2013), and mysteries will enjoy this adventurous series opener.—Tiffany Davis, Mount Saint Mary College, Newburgh, NY