This international teen thriller is a gripping clash of brilliant minds and concealed motives.
Chess is a strategic game where wits outmatch strength, and patience is more than a virtue. For teen operative Simone LaFray, strategy and intelligence have always been her greatest assets, enabling her to excel in school, spycraft, and life. But her latest mission threatens to spiral beyond her control, forcing her to confront dangers she’s unprepared for and risks she can’t predict. Simone’s newest assignment brings her face to face with Reyansh Kumar Balakrishnan, an elusive chess prodigy and personal hero. Known in chess circles as the Bishop of Mumbai, Reyansh might be as relentless in his private life as he is on the chessboard, but his enigmatic nature makes him nearly impossible to figure out. And that is exactly what Simone has to do to fulfill her duty to the Ministry. Hyperintelligent and charming, Reyansh holds the key to unlocking a device that has left the Ministry stumped, but he’s not the only puzzle Simone must piece together. A cryptic message from an associate leaves her unsettled, an audacious kidnapping attempt puts her on edge, and her chess skills won’t be polished without practice. No matter how cunning the Bishop’s next move might be, Simone is determined to outmaneuver him, even if the rules of the game bend and the pieces take a different shape.
From Paris to Mumbai, this international teen thriller is a gripping clash of brilliant minds and concealed motives. Growing up as the daughter of legendary spy Julia LaFray is a lot to live up to, but Simone is far from ordinary, and being an agency girl is in her DNA. Whether confronting a traitor or thwarting a kidnapper, Simone tries her best to stay one step ahead of danger. The main storyline builds toward an epic chess tournament, while subplots add depth and authenticity to a cast of supporting characters rich in personality. Down-to-earth interactions with her friends, advisors, a school bully, and others remind readers that this extraordinary girl is only thirteen and navigates many of the same challenges as younger readers. Simone is clever, observant, precise, and focused, a protagonist that audiences will relish unraveling mysteries alongside. Suspenseful scenes keep graphic violence to a minimum while maximizing tension and uncertainty, making Simone’s adventures entertaining for adults and appropriate for middle-grade readers. A resourceful young spy is pitted against an adversary worthy of his reputation in Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai, an engaging battle of wit, willpower, and deception.
