Published: 3 March 2020

ISBN: 9780143796985

Imprint: Puffin

RRP: $16.99

Hold onto your seats for another major adrenalin rush in this new top-notch adventure of twins Kensy and Max, young agents-in-training!

In this latest episode there is a continuing thread from the previous book in which a thoroughly evil villain was unmasked. The outwardly charming Dash Chalmers has a strong connection with the Spencer family who along with his own now estranged wife and children are all at risk from his retribution.  The family have already survived house bombings, attacks from hired assassins, kidnappings and more but this drama is not yet put to rest, nor will it be until the odious and dangerous Dash has been completely neutralised, one way or another.

This time around the pair becomes a trio with the addition of Curtis Pepper, their erstwhile neighbour in Sydney, who already fancies himself quite the spy. Little does he know when he comes to visit the twins and their family at Alexandria, their English home, that he is actually being sized up as a new Pharos agent-in-training.

So while Dame Cordelia, the matriarch of the family and Head of Pharos, is honoured with the Myrtle award for media achievements and the family heads off to New York for the ceremony, there are numerous other factors at play: another attempt on their lives via a speedboat, factotum Song’s mysterious behaviour, ditto Uncle Rupert’s – both of whom are apt to disappear at the most crucial moments! – the Postal Assassin at large in NYC, the strange man who accosts them all in a park, a mysterious girl who appears to be stalking them and so much more.  Kensy and Max, plus their highly-valued new sidekick Curtis, find themselves needing to be even more resourceful and bold in their actions. And once again they rise to the occasion splendidly. But as one chapter in evil doing ends, another begins and readers will be delighted to know that it seems we can all look forward to another instalment in the future.

Again Jacqueline Harvey has hit the right chord with her mix of high-octane adventure, a good sprinkling of humour and some pithy observations on human character. And as with previous books in this series readers are introduced to yet another cipher to add to their repertoire. All in all, who could want for more?

I know that many will already have this on their ‘to order’ list and I also know that young readers will be queuing up to be the next in line to read it.

Highly recommended for all avid JH fans and newcomers from around 10 years upwards.