Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers’ Ball

A picturesque summer in Paris turns less-than-sweet as disaster threatens a famed patisserie. When the LaFrays’ handwritten family recipe books are stolen, precocious Simone LaFray, 12, “the most promising agent within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” and daughter of an accomplished spy, must apply her varied skills to help save the books, the business, and the family legacy. O’Farrell presents a high-stakes plot involving Blue No. 2, a coveted painting; La Volpe Rossa, a renowned thief; Sugars Fontaine, a ruthless rival; and a luxurious Chocolatiers’ Ball. Readers will delight in the meticulously detailed cast as the secrets and clues unravel. Though Simone’s voice is unrealistically older, her biting wit and agency make her a memorable protagonist who will appeal to fans of child spies. Ages 8–12. [em](Self-published) [/em]