Review: Jack of Spades

Rosalind Duke is just the kind of plucky heroine I love at the centre of my historical fiction. She's happy to step outside the social norms of her time and she keeps a cool head about her in thrilling circumstances. And there are plenty to be found in this fast-paced adventure.

When she receives a mysterious Jack of Spades card in the mail from Paris, the 16-year-old, known as Linda, believes her widowed father – a Shakespearean academic – is in serious danger.

It is well known in her family that the card symbolises treachery and so Linda hotfoots it across the channel to Paris on her own – a daring enough undertaking at that time.

There, she begins the search for her missing father and quickly finds herself embroiled in a world of murder, radicals, secret agents, assassination plots and double identities. 

There are more twists than a French braid and it can be hard to keep track of all the characters and drama, but older primary readers should have no problem, and it's definitely gripping stuff.

Sophie Masson is a champion at weaving intrigue and adventure with strong, memorable characters and a touch of romance.

Title: Jack of Spades
Author/Illustrator: Sophie Masson
Illustrator: Yvonne Low
Publisher: Eagle Books, $19.99
Publication Date: 3 April 2007
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780994528001
For ages: 12+
Type: Young Adult