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Karplus outlines five pillars—common values, common goals, common activities, what you can give to a relationship, and what you can get from a relationship—to help readers establish a “foundation upon which every relationship can build its Success.” He starts by defining healthy versus unhealthy relationships, conceding that no two connections are exactly the same, and analyzes the variables that can impact them differently, such as past trauma, different value systems, and a lack of common ground. From there, Karplus charts several simple ways to create intentional human connection.

Mainly sharing from his own experiences gleaned over decades of relationship building, Karplus (author of Illustrated DACEASY Accounting) proposes a handful of recommendations in unfussy, candid prose that readers will find easy to grasp and implement. Whether a relationship goes the distance or ends amicably, Karplus asserts that, by focusing on communication, realistic expectations, and the importance of transparent boundaries, readers can build a connection “in which both relationship members happily give and get what they want from it.” He addresses potential roadblocks to that success as well, including what he terms the “disastrous trend” of social media (“a virtual reality that allows humans to have virtual relationships behind a screen and to avoid face-to face contact with other humans,” he writes) and unclear expectations that only set relationships up for failure.

What’s most helpful here are Karplus’s exercises and prompts, as he includes action items at the end of every chapter to practice his recommendations as well as several assignments to help readers deepen their interpersonal bonds (generating ideas for common activities and manifesting components of self-love are two that stand out). He calls for self-awareness and self-reflection as the first steps to establishing a successful relationship, leaving readers with the thought that “relationships are not simple… [but] they can provide partnerships that last a lifetime.”

Takeaway: Down-to-earth resource for building and maintaining successful relationships.

Comparable Titles: Jay Shetty's 8 Rules of Love, Jimmy Evans's The Four Laws of Love.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Five Pillars of Successful Relationships

Archer (author of The Introvert’s Tips to Finding the Perfect Job) aims to rekindle a passion for leisure activities in this companion book for women. The benefits of hobbies are endless, Archer writes, ranging from enhanced cognition to community connection, and readers will be dazzled by the sheer number of activities he includes here, each one tailored to feed the mind, body, and soul. Starting with his “Passion Compass” method, Archer walks readers through exploring their interests, trying out new pursuits, and evaluating the impact of those pursuits, with an eye for continuing only that which “truly excites you.”

Organized and concise, Empowering Pursuits benefits from an inviting voice that immediately engages and builds a sense of anticipation, as he encourages readers to fully invest in upgrading their leisure time. He kicks off the journey with 46 different pursuits, highlighting the benefits of each while addressing what’s needed to get started—and infuses the guide with insightful tips on incorporating these hobbies into a consistent routine. That’s an important aspect for his intended audience, as many women tend to put their creative pursuits on the back burner to navigate life’s demands. "In a world that often demands our constant attention and energy, our hobbies provide a sanctuary where we can recharge and reconnect with ourselves," Archer writes.

The diverse assortment of activities that Archer surveys will fit any reader’s needs: those seeking social connection can dabble in volunteering (food banks, tutoring, animal activism) or team sports, while fans of quiet time will appreciate Archer’s attention to activities like embroidery and birdwatching. He even touches on how to transform beloved hobbies into financial opportunities, helping readers find that sweet spot where “creativity meets entrepreneurship in the most fulfilling way.” Though his target audience is women, any reader searching for personal growth and purposeful relaxation will find this guidebook functional and refreshing.

Takeaway: Refreshing guidance on how to find meaning in leisure time activities.

Comparable Titles: Sharon J Stein's How to Find Your Hobby, Mike Rucker's The Fun Habit.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Empowering Pursuits for Every Woman

This charming fish-out-of-water romance, the second in Dodd’s Standard of Love series, has legs. Professional mermaid performer Coral Triton lands in Vegas, eager to start her dream gig at the L'Atelier Hotel, under the management of Jocelyn Standard. A chance meeting with a handsome stranger—first during a baggage-claim mishap and then again at the hotel bar—gives Coral the no-strings, give-him-a-fake-name one-night stand she's jonesing for as she starts her new job and life in Vegas. Little does she know that her "hot, sexy, smoldering" “Airport Guy” is none other than Jamie Standard, her new boss's older brother. A real estate developer on the brink of closing the deal of his career, Jamie is doggedly trying to shake his new title of "Boston's Bad Boy of Business," courtesy of an article in Boston Commons.

After video of Coral and Jamie interacting during her first performance goes viral, Jocelyn concocts just the kind of delicious, forced-proximity scheme that romance readers relish: why not have Coral fake a relationship with her brother to fix his reputation, help him close his big deal, and publicize the hotel’s new show? While Jamie is only in town for two weeks, the ticking clock, plus Coral and Jamie's very real attraction to each other, adds tension and spice to a love story that develops swimmingly. With dashes of welcome heat, Dodd deftly entangles Coral and Jamie's lives despite their every effort to keep it casual. While the Vegas fantasy is fun, the couple’s issues are rooted convincingly in character: Coral is a rootless only child with a mother who still seems to be putting her own life together, while Jamie contends with his playboy mogul rep.

Tension, lust, and personal and career priorities fuel this page-turner, and lovers of meet-cute romances that embrace conventional tropes will swoon as Coral and Jamie, in the throes of what should be a fauxmance, grow closer despite conflicting interests and jaded stances on love.

Takeaway: Winning meet-cute fauxmance centered on a Las Vegas mermaid performer.

Comparable Titles: Jamie Wesley's Fake It till You Bake It, Ali Hazelwood's Deep End.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about One Night Standard

Finding cosmic transcendence but also everyday connection in the gaze of a young girl, Aikin’s spirited parable depicts people traveling by the thousand to see just what the title promises: the girl with stars in her eyes. Anyone who has the opportunity to behold her face is rewarded with a glimpse into the cosmos, bearing witness to planets, galaxies, and constellations while also experiencing the joy of hearing planets sing as they "[dance] their way through space.” With the crowds growing ever larger, the girl calls a meeting to inform those who have made her famous of a little secret that she knows will fill them with happiness—and ensure that they will never stay "sad or worried or just bored" again. Beautifully illustrated by George Miroshnichenko with a rich blend of faces and interstellar wonders, this immersive picture book highlights the beauty of the night sky, the wonders of the universe, and the bounty inside each of us.

In clear and simple prose that wastes no words, Aikin writes a heartwarming and imaginative story whose simple message has an air of mystery about it, linking humanity with the far reaches of existence to suggest the boundless depths within every individual. Young readers, though, may need some guidance in contemplating the detail in each picture and broader themes about the vastness of the cosmos.

Miroshnichenko’s illustrations emphasize realistic eyes, first in somewhat unsettling closeups that command ample page space, the irises alive with swirls of cosmic light. These eyes are juxtaposed against images of people regarding them with awe or traveling to do the same. Later spreads depict diverse individuals connecting with each other through eye contact while swirls of stardust unfurl around them. Ringed planets, brilliant galaxies, and seams of stars are both overlay and underpin these scenes, encouraging young readers to find specialness in the vast universe and their own personal world.

Takeaway: Moving cosmic tale of the special qualities everyone possesses inside.

Comparable Titles: Stephen Hawking and Lucy Hawking's You and the Universe, Krystaelynne Sanders Diggs’s The Light Within.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: a-
Illustrations: A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B-

Click here for more about The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes

After her parents die when she is only 17 years old, Alyx Beck does whatever she must to take care of herself and her autistic twin brother, Trent—including her efforts as a high end sex worker, where she sticks to stringent professional rules and tries to stay on the good side of her handler, Estelle. But when her driver, roommate, and only friend, Sasha Belmont, fails to pick her up after an evening job, Alyx’s world comes crashing down around her: Sasha’s scheme to steal from their employers implicates Alyx, landing her in the middle of a risky cat-and-mouse game that threatens everyone she loves.

Lore (the pseudonym for Carmen DaVinleam) threads betrayal, seedy business dealings, and taut loyalty into a complex story of survival that unfolds through the eyes of a street-smart protagonist trapped in a dangerous web of lies. Alyx’s only way of escape involves outsmarting those in charge and dismantling the business from the inside, and Lore uses incredibly high stakes to band together her central female characters, who must trust each other before they can successfully overthrow a sadistic enemy. Twists and turns keep coming, as Alyx learns surprising nuggets about her parents’ deaths, and Lore ratchets up the tension into a suspenseful climax that finds Alyx working behind her handler’s back to uncover the truth—and gain her freedom.

Readers will root for Lore’s whip smart lead, an incredibly resilient young woman who isn’t afraid to get her hands dirty if that’s what it takes to exact vengeance on anyone who crosses her—or her loved ones. Diverse characters give the story layered depth, and Lore capably handles weighty topics like sex trafficking, kidnapping, and unbelievable violence. This gritty thriller vividly depicts the lives of young girls trapped in the sex trade, exploited by men and women with staggering amounts of money and power.

Takeaway: Street smart female lead confronts the dark world of sex trafficking.

Comparable Titles: Ian K. Smith's Eagle Rock, Elizabeth Gilbert's City of Girls.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Secrets That They Keep

This lively and unpredictable travelogue debut plumbs the “power of the human spirit to adapt, endure, and ultimately find peace amid chaos.” Anderson’s trip—launched from a night of bar-fueled dreaming—is emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausting, as he and his wife, Sarah, embark on an epic motorcycle trip from Cork, Ireland, to Cape Town, South Africa. Growing up in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, Anderson is no stranger to chaos, though his background can’t prepare him for the challenges, dangers, and inspirations he and Sarah will face on this much-needed “break from logic and reasoning.”

Anderson is a gritty yet tender writer who fashions touching moments just as easily as he does the harshest of circumstances, juxtaposing images like the “picturesque tapestry” of England’s verdant farmlands with his despair at discovering Sarah locked in an embrace with the couple’s Israeli friend. His reflections take the form of a diary, visiting the depths of his emotions as he muses on the people they meet along the way, all of which trigger a coming-to-terms awakening with the many wrong turns of both his journey and his life. Ultimately, he decides those risks are worth taking, as he writes, “I think I’m more afraid of not living.”

Anderson’s memoir is in turns amusing and poignant; when delays force him to set up camp in Jungle Junction just outside Nairobi, he muses on the similarities he shares with strangers from myriad backgrounds, while, when driving near the Dead Sea, he works to “escape [his] dark thoughts” after his “decade of devotion” with his wife comes to a screeching halt. Those moments will cause readers to pause and reflect on the twists in their own lives as well, to consider the power of not knowing what lies ahead against the painful awareness of what’s been left behind. This is a journey worth taking.

Takeaway: Epic motorcycle trip upends—and rebuilds—a man’s life.

Comparable Titles: Kathleen Terner’s Living at Full Throttle, Todd Lawson’s Inside the Belly of an Elephant.

Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about First Pub on the Right

The stakes remain high in Ideue’s second New Terrans novel, which continues a space-opera adventure blending far-future tech, present-day concerns about AI and drones, and old-school science-fiction thrills and heroism. When the explorer ship Curiosity goes missing, Elliot Greyjoy, the bold Earth-born Commander now serving as Prime Minister of the United Terran Federation, finds his dreams of a peaceful future for New Terra dashed, as he and the leaders of a fractious collection of empires face a dire new threat: a plot to wipe out what is left of humanity. Dispatching Captain Rodney Jamison to take command of the investigation, along with the newly created Humaniform android Hailey Link, Elliot and his team are in a race against time to save New Terra and its fraught alliances. Ratcheting up the tension: the young android seemingly goes rogue on a mission that will either save our species or set us on the path to annihilation.

Bursting with high-stakes action, old and new feuds, a dash of romance, a diverse array of perspective characters, and the machinations of corrupt Artificial Intelligence, this spirited sequel centers on an exciting battle of man and machine while developing ongoing stories and themes seeded in the first volume. Most tantalizing: while the UTF defends itself against an advanced new enemy called the Sagittarons, the daughter of an old foe seeks to capitalize on a plan of vengeance.

Among vivid accounts of space-battle tactics, considerations of the finer points of lasers and shields, and classic space opera moments where the day is saved by scientific improv like “injecting ferrous particles into the output aperture,” Ideue weaves intricate layers of intergalactic politics, exploring tense, complex relationships between the surviving humans and between humans and AI. This volume builds with smoother pacing than its predecessor, the tension mounting to an explosive conclusion that sets up more books to come, but the relative swiftness of the storytelling never comes at the expense of compelling characterization or fresh spins on big SF ideas.

Takeaway: Exciting space-opera sequel pitting what’s left of humanity against advanced AI.

Comparable Titles: Joshua James's Artifact, Christopher Ruocchio's Empire of Silence.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

Click here for more about Sagittarius Stronghold

In his absorbing memoir, Rohām, an Iranian immigrant to the US, details his time spent as a “terp” (interpreter) with the US military in Afghanistan during 2010 and 2011. Propelled by a sense of purposelessness, Rohām learns Pashto and is posted to Camp Leatherneck. Working with a squad of Marines, Rohām’s sincerity and willingness to volunteer overcome the Americans’ initial suspicions and earn their trust and appreciation while he witnesses horrors and visits regions “synonymous with death.” His popularity with the servicemen causes tension with Ziar, another terp who hates him for his country of origin. Unfortunately, disaster strikes, and Rohām must not only cope with its aftermath but also clear the cloud of suspicion over his name, fueled by Ziar.

The unforgiving terrain, studded with mines and IEDs, and ever-present danger is brought to life through Rohām’s language, which transports the reader to the battlefront. Alongside his experiences in Afghanistan, Rohām weaves in scenes from his childhood spent in Iran, along with portraits of his strong mother, Mini, who immigrated to the US a year before the Islamic Revolution. Insights into the history and culture of the Afghan people pepper the narrative, while the scenecraft is compelling. The encounter with Hila, recklessly brave in her hope to better her life, haunts the reader, as does the portrait of Taymor Nuristani, a major in mourning.

Rohām’s pained, precise narration illuminates the utterly chaotic and brutal nature of war, the bravery and large-heartedness of the Marines, the helplessness of much of the local populace, and the relentlessness and ingenuity of the Taliban war machine. The account stirs admiration for the bravery of the men and women of the military who have put their lives on the line, ready to obey the commands of their political bosses, whose justification for the long, drawn-out war sounds hollow when weighed against the sacrifices of the personnel. An engrossing read.

Takeaway: A translator’s urgent account of life with Marines in war torn Afghanistan.

Comparable Titles: Sebastian Junger’s War, Nathaniel Fick’s One Bullet Away.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Land of Tears

Swain (author of The Adversity of Diversity, among other titles) takes aim at academic plagiarism at elite universities by telling the story of Harvard President Claudine Gay’s resignation in early 2024—and Swain’s personal history with the accusations of plagiarism facing Gay. As Swain frames it, Gay, Harvard’s first Black president, rose through the ranks of academia with a label of “brilliant” that protected her work from scrutiny. Swain targets Harvard’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (the topic of Swain’s outraged previous Swain book) initiatives as essential to Gay’s success. She also charges, with detailed line-by-line comparisons, Gay with having incorporated into her 1997 dissertation, without credit, language and ideas from Swain’s book Black Faces, Black Interests: The Representation of African Americans in Congress, winner of the 1994 Woodrow Wilson prize for the year’s best book on government, politics, or international affairs.

The Gay Affair blends Swain’s presentation of her case with polemic elements—she argues that Gay is both “a victim and a beneficiary of a system that picks and chooses winners and losers”—plus consideration of untested areas of copyright law, a diagnosis of “plagiaritis” in academia and its causes, and the unfairness of students being held to a higher standard than professors). As in other recent books, Swain—a professor of law and political science who retired from Vanderbilt amid clashes over DEI initiatives and other topics with progressive students and administrators—offers both academic rigor and a spirit of pained aggrievement, but this time with a lighter touch: The Gay Affair is in many ways a victory lap.

Though she acknowledges the public perception of her as “the controversial Carol Swain,” she undermines the reach of her argument by singling out only liberal alleged perpetrators of plagiarism in her book like Kamala Harris and Malcolm Gladwell. At times it’s difficult to not read this book as simply sour grapes from somebody who wished their academic career had gone the way of Gay’s. Gay isn’t Mozart, but this feels at times like a book by Salieri.

Takeaway: Controversial academic’s personal account of Harvard plagiarism scandals.

Comparable Titles: Heather Mac Donald’s The Diversity Delusion, Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay’s Cynical Theories.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A-

Click here for more about THE GAY AFFAIR: HARVARD, PLAGIARISM, AND THE DEATH OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

This continuation of Evanoff’s spy thriller series finds former CIA agent turned best-selling mystery novelist Louise Moscow invited to the illustrious Paris Fashion Week, thanks to her best friend and Paris resident, Milena Canonero. With the five biggest fashion houses taking on a literary theme lush enough to entice any fiction lover, Louise is ecstatic; but when a photographer is found dead at the site of one of the shows, Louise is quickly swept up into a murder mystery set to rival the ones she writes about.

Meticulously researched, this installment (after Devil’s Ledger) is imbued with a rich history of Paris, stretching from its traditions to fashion to literature, and Evanoff pays homage to several of the greats, weaving historical and cultural knowledge of Paris directly into the mystery at hand. From Chanel fittings to glitzy outings at the Palais Garnier Opera House, readers will be swept into the posh Parisian fashion arena alongside Louise, who’s just as adept at appreciating local architecture as she is at sniffing out a murderer. She partners with local police in her efforts, drawing on her CIA experience to gently guide their investigation, and Evanoff skillfully handles the mystery’s progression as Louise joins the hunt, building the action to a natural climax with nimble, steady pacing.

Evanoff’s passion for all things Paris oozes off each page as she effortlessly immerses readers in the story’s setting. As Louise is gradually drawn back into the tricky world of espionage, mystery fans will thrill at the story’s twists and turns, from chaotic prison breaks to gripping secrets revealed from the tangled tapestry of Louise’s own family. The dangerous and high stakes search that ensues is set to the backdrop of a Paris flush with glamour, a reminder that, even in the most sinister of moments, “the show must go on.”

Takeaway: Fashion and crime unite in this Parisian thriller.

Comparable Titles: Charles Beaumont’s The Oxford Spy Ring series, Emma Jameson’s Lord and Lady Hetheridge Mystery series.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Walking the Cat: An International Fashion Spy Thriller

In a society where everyone’s jobs are assigned by a special department within the government—in the hopes of leading society to transcendent evolution—19-year-old Noa finds herself with a new career in the Cavalry, as a rancher, in Martel’s mildly fantastical dystopian debut. Noa, who has already lived life as a nurse and bureaucrat when she is Reassigned yet again, worries about dark rumors that this change is just a way to “get rid of problem citizens.” Meanwhile, 13-year-old Tali fights her urge to be different amidst the never-ending sameness at Main Ranch, where she and her cohort prep the land for the arrival of the new Cavalry “Drops.”

Martel sets up an intriguing world that is both divided by the strict rules driving career assignments and banded together by the collective fear and uncertainty plaguing its citizens. Noa and Tali initially have nothing in common, but, as the tension in the story builds, their paths inevitably cross—and bring to light a society that functions on mystery and secrets, from the enigmatic Pastor (described as a “nobody, or everybody”) who delivers broadcasts for the controlling Variety to attempts to suppress the unusual gifts some citizens possess. Those citizens include Noa, who, believing herself to be some type of prophet, soon finds out she’s not the only one experiencing visions—and the government is on to her.

That realization drives the story’s quest to expose the truth—and potentially overthrow the government. Martel supplements the action with touchstone themes of friendship, loyalty, and, of course, an unexpected romance, in the shape of Noa’s crush on her trainer, Amar. The story muddles somewhat as the Cavalry recruits confront the artificial intelligence at the heart of the Variety, but, still, dystopian fans will relish Martel’s uneven heroine and cold, controlling society.

Takeaway: Dystopian society is fractured by rigid rules and dark underlying secrets.

Comparable Titles: Dave Eggers’s The Circle, Jeff VanderMeer’s Borne.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about Swimming with the Sun

Psychologist Michele delves into the complex and sensitive topic of infidelity in this comprehensive guide, fashioned primarily as a resource for men who have had an affair. Promising readers they “will emerge from the experience a better man,” Michele draws from years of experience guiding clients through what she terms “affair recovery,” outlining several helpful interventions that, when paired with hard work, can help invested couples move past infidelity. Her recommendations are meticulous and sweeping, from understanding love languages to learning how to listen attentively, and, despite her primary goal of addressing “heterosexual male infidelity with a female partner,” any readers seeking improved romantic relationships will find her guidance valuable.

Rather than viewing infidelity through a narrow lens, Michele asserts that all involved parties have a crucial role to play in the aftermath of broken trust in a fractured relationship. Through client anecdotes and a wealth of assessments and hands-on exercises, she helps readers understand the underlying reasons that drive infidelity, from childhood trauma to relationship dynamics, offering a gentle—but firm—process of improving communication that she terms the “Five A’s of Recovery”: acknowledge, admit, apologize, ask, and adapt. Michele concedes that emotions will run high—and recovery will take time—but, for those willing to put fear to the side, it is possible, she writes, to start anew.

That will give readers who are desperate for answers some hope, an element that is often missing in similar material. Michele handles infidelity with a deep respect for both partners, exuding a confidence that "thorough affair recovery can not only save your relationship but provide you with the tools to make it better.” From mindfulness and attention to self-care to tackling hot-button topics like masculinity, this encouraging debut will prove a valuable resource for anyone struggling to reconnect or rebuild a relationship.

Takeaway: Encouraging resource for couples attempting to rebuild after infidelity.

Comparable Titles: Emma Lancaster's Infidelity Recovery, Janis A Spring's After the Affair.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A

Click here for more about The Infidelity Cure

This heartening and practical guide from father-and-son team James and Josiah Johnson centers business success on interpersonal connection, identifying three categories of relationships—transactional, transitional, and transformational—and analyzing how each impacts human bonds. The authors establish a “level of understanding” as the key factor driving attachment, writing that “understanding may vary in depth depending on the category of relationship, but it is necessary to produce the greatest benefit.” That sentiment is echoed in the book’s structure, with Josiah crafting the primary narrative and James, a retired insurance salesman, interjecting personal anecdotes and asides to deepen comprehension.

"My father and I hold the view that relationships are fundamental to our existence, influencing our experiences, emotions, and life paths," Josiah writes, contending that readers must first grasp how the three main relationship types manifest before they can transform them into higher-level personal and professional success. To help that process, Transforming the Relationship digs into factors like empathy, positivity, and authenticity as the basis for quality business interactions; gives examples of professional roles in each relationship category; and studies what it takes for each relationship type to progress. Whereas transitional relationships (classmates, colleagues, etc.) will be the majority type for most people, they aren’t necessarily the end goal, the authors write. Transformational relationships—those that “provide mutual growth and make us better than the people we were when we first entered into them”—are an example of human connection at its best.

Beyond business interactions, the authors touch on family attachments as well, including how parenting looks through the lens of their three primary relationship types. They close with a discussion on transfiguration as “the fulfillment of transformation,” emphasizing that true change occurs from the inside out and tying this concept into their Christian faith. Their central idea that “with every person we meet… we build each relationship into a beautifully intertwined story full of significance” is moving.

Takeaway: Practical business advice centered on interpersonal relationships.

Comparable Titles: Ed Wallace's Business Relationships That Last, Jan Yager's Productive Relationships.

Production grades
Cover: B
Design and typography: A-
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A-
Marketing copy: B+

Click here for more about Transforming the Relationship

Crime-fighting preteens go multi-continental with the lively third installment in the Adventures of the Flash Gang series (after Treasonous Tycoon). As Hitler gains power in Germany in 1936, the group is on a mission to save one member’s father. Traveling from New York City to Berlin under aliases—privileged Pearl Clavell, the daughter of a British aristocrat calling herself Lola Lavender, and Lewis Carter, also known as Nigel Davenport—the preteens, part of the Flash Gang, outwit Nazis with spirited derring-do. Hopping trains and boats, Lewis and Pearl are laser-focused on finding the once-presumed-dead Professor Harold Carter, a renowned chemist. Lewis is devastated to discover that his father appears to be complicit with the bad guys—but looks can be deceiving.

Young readers will learn hard truths about the era, including the Nazis’ genocide against Jews and others, as well as the shame of having a collaborator in the family. Still, despite the authors’ deft handling of the real-world stakes of the historical conflict, readers will cheer as the good guys come ever closer to winning the day—not only Lewis and Pearl but also eccentric old Lillian Whitford, Pearl, and some other unexpected heroes. Tense close calls keep the pages turning, including hiding in a secret room in Berlin as Nazis search the building and outsmarting a henchman trying to kill them. A cruel steel magnate, a villain from earlier in the series, makes an exciting reappearance with further nefarious deeds; here, too, the blend of history and adventure is skillfully handled, as his henchmen are disposed of in satisfying fashion.

While the story ends on yet another cliffhanger as the team focuses on its next case, readers will forgive the authors, who ably demonstrate what heroic preteens can do with a “flash”—a remarkably effective diversion tactic that their enemies are determined to capture. This spirited tale will attract readers both old and new. Middle-grade readers will devour the latest installment of the Flash Gang and eagerly anticipate the next.

Takeaway: Rip-roaring middle-grade thriller blending history and adventure before World War II.

Comparable Titles: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley’s The War that Saved My Life, Joan Hiatt Harlow’s The Watcher.

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A-

Click here for more about The Adventures of the Flash Gang: Episode Three: Berlin Breakout