The Secret Life of Kitty Granger

by G.D. Falksen

It's 1967, and Kitty Granger is about to accidentally become a spy. A working-class girl from London's East End who today would be recognized as autistic, she's spent sixteen years hiding her peculiarities from the world. But after her hyper-awareness helps her survive a chance encounter with a Russian spy ring, two British secret agents offer her a job.

Kitty's first mission draws her into a fascist conspiracy led by a prominent politician--who's also an unreformed Nazi sympathizer. With help from her team, Kitty must use her wits, training, and instincts to get out alive. And she might as well save the country while she's at it.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Historical, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Fiction, Espionage

280 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2021

About the author

G. D. Falksen is the author of "The Secret Life of Kitty Granger" (Carolrhoda Lab, 2021), "Maiden of War" (Audible Originals, 2020), "Doctor Cthulittle" (Insight Studios, 2018), "The Transatlantic Conspiracy" (Soho Teen, 2016), and "The Ouroboros Cycle" series (Wildside Press, 2013 to present), and has been a contributor to the award-winning anthologies "Mine!" and "Cthulhu Fhtagn!". He is also Chairman of the Advisory Board of Writers and Artists Across the Country, a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating author visits to underserved schools. Falksen’s "Ouroboros Cycle" series is currently being developed for television.

Reviews

[Jane (whatjanereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3,5-4 stars

A spy novel that centers on an autistic teenage girl being recruited by the government? Yes yes, gimme!

This was a really fun and quick read! I flew through it. It was a gripping and interesting story with lots of action.
I really liked our main character Kitty, but also the side characters very much, especially cheerful Verity.
Most of all my favourite thing about this book was, that here was NO romance! None!
Just badass girls being badass, fighting rich racist men. The cast is super diverse and it discusses racism as a main topic without getting too much into detail.

The only thing that bothered me, is that everything came together a bit too easily. Kitty, a 16 year old girl, just battled everything without any incidents. She never slipped, she fought adult soldiers, rescued her friends and the whole country. It wasn’t very believable.
But still it was fun to read about her and I bet I would have enjoyed this even more if I was still in my teenage years.

I highly encourage to read reviews by autistic readers as well and to also read the authors note at the end of the book, because I’m definitely not in the position to say anything about the autism rep in this.

[Jane (whatjanereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3,5-4 stars

A spy novel that centers on an autistic teenage girl being recruited by the government? Yes yes, gimme!

This was a really fun and quick read! I flew through it. It was a gripping and interesting story with lots of action.
I really liked our main character Kitty, but also the side characters very much, especially cheerful Verity.
Most of all my favourite thing about this book was, that here was NO romance! None!
Just badass girls being badass, fighting rich racist men. The cast is super diverse and it discusses racism as a main topic without getting too much into detail.

The only thing that bothered me, is that everything came together a bit too easily. Kitty, a 16 year old girl, just battled everything without any incidents. She never slipped, she fought adult soldiers, rescued her friends and the whole country. It wasn’t very believable.
But still it was fun to read about her and I bet I would have enjoyed this even more if I was still in my teenage years.

I highly encourage to read reviews by autistic readers as well and to also read the authors note at the end of the book, because I’m definitely not in the position to say anything about the autism rep in this.

[Shelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Thriller / Historical
*Rating* 4.0

*Thoughts*

It's 1967, and Kitty Granger is about to accidentally become a spy. A working-class girl from London's East End who would be recognized as being autistic in today's society, Kitty Granger has spent sixteen years hiding her peculiarities from the world. She hates noise and crowds, tends to fixate on patterns, and often feels acutely aware of her surroundings even as she struggles to interpret the behavior of people around her. She is most at ease when her mind is doing something logical like doing a crossword puzzle

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Ella Vermeulen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am absolutely obsessed with this book! I couldn’t put it down and finished it in about five hours. Kitty is such a likable character, I instantly connected with her. The Secret Life of Kitty Granger has an interesting plot, and I appreciate that Falksen paid attention to historical accuracy. The book takes place in 1960’s London, and Kitty, a 16 year old working class girl with autism, is given the opportunity to be a spy through a strange turn of events. Kitty’s first assignment: spy on a Lord that may be aiding fascists attempting to take over the government. This book is quick, with just the right touch of 60’s flair, and several wonderful feminist teaching moments, my favorite being “‘I think you’ll find, Tommy, that girls can be interested in all sorts of things, only we don’t talk about ’em’ cause people keep tellin’ us we’re not s’posed to like ’em.’” I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys spy novels, YA fiction, or just those looking for a quick fun read!

Full list of potential triggers:
Guns, Fighting, Violence, Death, Mentions of Racism, Discussion of Fascism, Politics, Mild Cursing, Drinking, and Smoking

[Nisha Joshi (swamped, will review whenever possible) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I requested this book only because the protagonist has the surname of Granger.

I went into the book without many expectations. An autistic girl in the 1960s becoming a spy? Yes, sounds interesting!

I was pleasantly surprised. It was fast-paced and I really liked Kitty. She is smart and badass. But I liked Verity more! Plus, no romance.

All in all, a good book. I really feel this book must reach out to autistic readers.

If you love YA thrillers with strong characters and want a quick read, this is the book you must pick.

4 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Jennieke Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Official Blurb:
Falksen’s portrayal of an autistic girl coming into her own while being thrust into an intriguing world of espionage is at turns delightful, poignant, and all too brief! I couldn’t stop turning the pages to see how Kitty Granger would triumph!

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspend your disbelief that this plot could happen, and just enjoy the ride as Kitty Granger, a young East End Londoner whom nowadays would be diagnosed as "on the spectrum" becomes a secret agent. Young adults probably won't catch that Mr. Pryce and Mrs. Singh seem to be homages to John Steed and Mrs Pell of "The Avengers,"but then if you say "The Avengers" they'll probably be thinking of the Marvel characters, not the 60s TV series! At any rate this is fun stuff--good enough to hold my attention through the whole story, which doesn't happen often these days when I read YA fiction..

[John Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story featuring a girl on the autism spectrum whose unique weaknesses and strengths are both skillfully woven into a fast moving plot. From the moment Kitty senses something off about the twitchy man who smells like cigarettes sitting on the bus beside her, until the final slam bang caper, readers are in for a treat. I'm particularly impresses with how the author gives you a front row seat to the running inner dialogue that has run so much of her life and how at life and death moments, Kitty finds a hidden strength to save the day.

[Craftshley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kitty Granger describes herself as ‘peculiar’. She doesn’t like large crowds, she notices small details and things out of place, she gets overwhelmed by too much sensory input and has coping mechanisms to deal with being overwhelmed. Things like playing with her fingers, talking or singing to herself, or crosswords help her calm down. Kitty Granger is autistic but that term isn’t commonly applied to girls in the UK in the 1960s.

Kitty’s eye for detail gets her into trouble within the first twenty pages. She notices a man acting strangely and follows him off the bus. After losing track of him for a second, she sees a brick out of place, feels that it’s loose, and discovers a canister of film behind it. Kitty gets kidnapped, roughed up, questioned, and then subsequently rescued by a spy group that calls themselves the Orchestra. Soon, she gets a job offer to become a spy and joins other young people serving in the organization. She learns how to shoot a gun, tail people, collect information, and other things important to spies. She already knows how to notict accents.

I enjoyed the characterization in this novel. Kitty, in particular, is very well described. Her cohort is also well fleshed out. Best of all, there is no romance between any of the characters. I was so afraid there would be, which I feel would have detracted from the plot and also from Kitty growth as a spy. Everyone else is sort of glossed over, which makes sense because Kitty is the main character. But I would have liked to see her form more meaningful relationships with the others. Because there is a significant time skip after she joins the organization, we don’t see her really get to know the other young people, particularly Tommy, who is also from the East End and shares Kitty’s unique accent. It is implied that they all spend time together and get to know one another, but seeing it would have been much preferred.

I did have trouble placing the story in time. Place was easy. But time was harder. I had to look up some key names and movements mentioned to narrow down the time period. I didn’t re-read the summary before starting but specific dates being mentioned would have been useful. The plot was a bit unimaginative at times. It follows other novels that have teen spies. Alex Rider, the Gallagher Girl series by Ally Carter, the Charlotte Holmes series, even Kingsman. And the main spy adventure is foiling a plot to blow up Parliament, something that was famously attempted by Guy Fawkes and is recognized worldwide.

Even in the 60s, wouldn’t the police have to tell a parent that their child had been kidnapped? Wasn’t gun control pretty tight even then? So would Kitty have even been legally able to learn how to shoot a gun, unless the Orchestra is operating under the law? But we know they’re not, based on how they interact with the proper officials. The cover for Kitty and Verity to explore the Lowell house is pretty tight, since Verity had been friends with the daughter, Diana, for time before the main plot began. Because of the nature of their relationship and the friendship with Diana, I would have thought the Orchestra could prepare Kitty for the mission better. She walks in with a believable Canadian accent, sure, but she’s not up for the vapid small talk expected of her. She didn’t have any background on Canada, even though she was supposed to be from Ottawa. Even though the timeline was fairly short, you think they would have had her read up on Canada a bit, or sit through a tea full of small talk and banal chatter, so she could get used to it.

It could come down to them not understanding her peculiarities, perhaps assuming that she was used to small talk, working in her father’s shop. But it is clear that she’s poor, and that she hasn’t exactly played lawn tennis or had tea with upper crust people before. The Orchestra just should have better prepared her.

Despite the small plot inconsistencies and lack of completely unique plot, I fully enjoyed reading this novel. Falksen describes Kitty’s mindset well, how she feels in stressful situations in which she’s overwhelmed, how she filters sensory input and relies on patterns and clear instructions to make it through. She struggles and loses her grip a few times, which is entirely realistic and expected given that she’s overwhelmed. She’s never experienced so many of the situations she encounters, so not only are they new, they are inherently stressful for anyone.

For that, I’m giving the book 3.5/5 stars. It’s a fun young adult novel, a little juvenile. I might call it middle grade but there is a lot of violence, particularly gun violence.

[MsArdychan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please Note: I received an advance copy of this novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.

What a book! Set in nineteen-sixties London, Kitty Granger is introduced to the world of Cold War spies and conspiracies, where she is uniquely qualified to succeed. Kitty, although it doesn't explicitly say so, is autistic. In her regular existence, she is considered strange, and a burden by her protective father. But, in the world of espionage, her unusual traits are valued. This was a fun, and exciting book.

Please read my full review on my blog: www.ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com on March 1st, 2021.

[Anna (RattleTheShelves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's so, so nice to read a book where an autistic girl's traits are seen as strengths. While she struggles, we never get an idea that she needs to conform to the neurotypical expectations - quite the opposite, she's treasured because of her neurodivergence.

I'm usually hesitant about Cold War settings but this was very, very far from our typical "good Westerners saving the world from the bad Soviets" narrative. First of all, the characters are so diverse, coming from all sorts of backgrounds, and are selected to be spies not because they are handsone white cishet men but because they are people who the society (especially 1960s British society) tends to dismiss. Second of all, the enemy is actually BRITISH fascists.

The book reads more like a middle grade despite Kitty being 16, but I love middle grade and it didn't bother me at all.

One thing to keep in mind is that, as far as I can tell, the author isn't autistic themselves. However, the rep is done very respectfully.

I wholeheartedly recommend!

*I received the eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 ⭐️

Trigger warning: racism, xenophobia, microaggressions toward an autistic person

While not ground-breaking, this teen spy book takes the trope a step further by centring an autistic MC in a realistic sixties setting.

Does this read a bit like Alex Rider and Charlie Thorne? Yes. It's your typical spy novel, with a twist:

First, the main character is neurodivergent. While never mentioned on-page, Falksen makes it clear from the beginning that Kitty is different. It's also explained in the author note that the terms "autistic" and "autism" are never mentioned because of the historical setting and the fact that girls are less frequently diagnosed than boys when it comes to this specific condition. Nevertheless, Kitty is not a character who acts despite her autism. Even without a support system, she adapted and can repress some of her reactions (not without great effort at times) enough to do her job. Because the book is written from her perspective, we get all the work it takes for her to concentrate and stay present when she's overwhelmed, a much-needed view for neurotypical people. Now, this isn't #OwnVoice, so I suggest you also seek reviews by autistic people to see how good the rep is. But I think Falksen did a pretty good job.

Second, it's historical. Teen spy novels tend to be set in the present; if only to demonstrate more incredible gadgets that the readers would still be in awe of (no teen would marvel at a book released in 2021 where 1960s spies use some cell phone-like prototypes to communicate). I appreciated the historical perspective, though it was a little shaky on the sides. It's not well established in the novel itself that the action takes place in the 60s. There are plenty of references from adults who lived and fought in the Second World War, but that's not saying much when a good chunk of those people are still alive. The fact that Kitty never takes the Tube also threw me off, since many stations served as underground shelters in the war. You need to look at the blurb to know when it takes place, perhaps an oversight from editors. But once you know when it's happening, everything makes sense.

Another thing I really liked was the love and protectiveness of Mrs. Singh. Usually, in those novels, the handlers can be rough and seem cold to the teens. Mrs. Singh (and Mr. Pryce, to an extent) are never harsh on Kitty and refuse to make her do things she's not ready for. In fact, there are many instances where Kitty resents that protectiveness, thinking they doubt her abilities. It's refreshing to see spies truly caring for their assets and recognizing that they're still kids.

You can tell from the author's note and acknowledgement that a lot of research went into making this book, and it shows. That alone is a reason to read it. And for the diversity. A strong autistic MC who can do great things? Bring it on, we need more of those.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty Granger is riding a bus one day when she notices some odd behavior in a woman and then a man. Curious, she decides to follow the man and in so doing notices a mark on a wall and a brick out of place behind which she finds a roll of film. Unfortunately for Kitty, some people are watching that film and kidnap her thinking she is a spy. She manages to get out of her jam with the help of a Mr. Pryce and Mrs. Singh. The two of them are impressed with her skills of observation and recruit her to actually become a spy. But Kitty isn't sure she has what it takes. She knows she is easily overwhelmed by certain things, and yes, she is a keen observer and has a brilliant mind for patterns, but does she have what it takes to go into the field like they want her to do? Especially when the fate of the nation may depend on how she does?

It seems fitting that I finished this on Guy Fawkes day as the bad guys' plot has shades of the plot that got Guy Fawkes in major trouble. This book is set in 1960s England and features a character who is on the autism spectrum (though, as that wasn't a recognized term back then, it is not used in the book but only in the author's note). Kitty is a likable character who vacillates between doubting herself and being proud of herself. She is portrayed in a way that highlights the talents that would allow someone like Kitty to succeed because her brain is wired the way it is, and the possible challenges someone with autism that displays like hers may have as a spy. The spy elements keep the pages flying. The plot is based on some real people from history I had never heard of, who realistically might have inspired like-minded others to try and take over the government. The historical ties make the plot that much more believable. Readers looking for a stand alone spy story or thrilling historical fiction should enjoy this.

Notes on content: Probably around 30 minor swears and 5 uses of strong profanity. No sexual content. There are fights that result in injuries and fatalities. The climax fights are in particular fatal for quite a number of people. Minimal description of injuries, but Kitty is rightly very sobered by the deaths.

[Kieran · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Secret Life of Kitty Granger” offers action-packed throwback escapism while giving us an unlikely heroine that still resonates in the current world. Sixteen-year-old Kitty Granger lives in London’s East End, works in her Pa’s shop, and is a “peculiar” person. When her curiosity gets the best of her, she finds herself crossing paths with secret agents for Her Majesty’s government. Her personality quirks make her a prime candidate to join their ranks, and soon she is in the middle of a mission to suss out a political conspiracy that could bring down the Crown.

This was a fun read with well-written characters and a briskly moving plot. A minor content warning for violence and death, but nothing visceral or beyond what you would see in a PG-13 movie. It also helps to have a general knowledge of a UK map and major post-war moments to understand some of the references made.

I loved the realistic portrayal of an autistic perspective. Kitty is never “outed” as being diagnosed, which makes sense given the time period this story takes place, but the details given about her perception of situations, sensory overloads, and even her masking and stimming are presented with awareness and respect towards that experience. It’s also not treated as savant syndrome either, which is really refreshing. Although some traits are to her benefit, some are not and provide both internal and external friction throughout the story.

I do wish that the time period was made a little more clear within the context of the plot. There were bits of historical context dropped here and there in conversations and scenery details, but it was vague; this could have been anytime between Post Austerity Britain and Pre Thatcher Britain. It wasn’t until a specific Beatles song was referenced halfway through the book. that I was able to pin down a rough year estimate.

If you’re a fan of spy films, neurodiverse protagonists, “Mod” London, or kicking some fascist butt, you’ll enjoy taking a peek at “The Secret Life of Kitty Granger.”

[Grace Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty Granger has always known that she is considered a bit odd. She isn't the best at reading the emotional ticks of others, hates noise and crowds, fixates on patterns, and is intensely aware of her surroundings; if something is out of place, Kitty is going to notice. As a working class girl in 1960's London, these personality quirks aren't the most helpful. But when Kitty stumbles upon a Russian spy ring with her powers of perception, she's offered a job to work for the Crown. And who knows, maybe the things that Kitty considers to hold her back will assist her in saving her nation from a treacherous plot against Queen and country.

I was beyond thrilled to learn this book existed since there is a sad supply of YA titles about individuals with any kind of disability. Not only was the representation of those on the autism spectrum done in a respectful way in this book, it was also paired with fun and engaging action and adventure as our heroine spied for her country. I really appreciated how Kitty's quirks just made her a better spy instead of holding her back. It was a fantastic way to get the message across without being too obvious about it. My only complaint is I felt some of the textual language didn't quite match up with the times. Kitty or other characters would speak in slang that lined up with the 1960's, but then our narration would convert back to present-day language. The juxtaposition was a little strange, but this is a very minor complaint and did not take from my enjoyment of the title. Overall, this was a super fun and fast read that I would recommend for middle school and early high school readers, or anyone who is looking for a quick read.

**I received a free ebook copy of this title from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

16 year old Kitty is a working class girl in 1960's London who has resigned herself to a life of hiding from crowds and keeping up her father's shop in the East End. She has always known that she was different, but she struggles to maintain appearances to the contrary (doing crosswords and tapping her fingers can sometimes help to keep the world and its many noises at bay) But Kitty is also a keen observer and curious.. traits that won't keep her on the sidelines for long.

When she notices some odd behavior on the bus one day, she can't help but investigate. Noticing strange patterns has always come naturally to her. Before she knows it, she's caught up with some very dangerous people where her unique abilities just might come in handy. Kitty Granger, British spy? Crazier things have happened...

This was such a engaging story with just the right amount of action and intrigue. Kitty is described at the end of the book as being Autistic, but it's never referred to in the story because of the diagnosis not being common in the 60's. The behaviors that she exhibits, and tries to hide, turn out to be what makes her such an excellent spy! The story might be a bit far-fetched in some ways, but the positive representation of a neurodiverse teen protagonist is refreshing, and it's just pure fun to read. Recommended for middle schoolers and young teens.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I know this author personally. Or at least did. He was one of my son's best friends when they were in High School. Turns out he's a pretty good writer.

Frankly, I only picked it up for that reason, as it is probably more directed at the young adult market. Kitty is 16 and clearly non-neurotypical, though at the time, 1967, the nuances of autism were rarely diagnosed, especially for a girl from London's East End. Instead, she's just considered a weirdo. But she's more or less figured out how to adapt to the world around her and developed her own coping mechanisms when things begin to overwhelm -- as well as learned how to hid those 'tics' that make others uncomfortable.

But, of course, odd though she might seem to many, especially her father loves her and wants to protect her but who who doesn't understand why she can't do things 'normally', her ability to observe and focus serves her in good stead when she accidentally gets involved with some Russian spies -- though, to be fair, it was also those idiosyncrasies that got her in trouble in the first place. Still, the British Agents who rescue her recognize her unique abilities and offer her a job.

There is some violence, but nothing overly graphic, and the 'good guys' definitely win. Overall I found it an enjoyable read and hope Geoff, as I knew him, writes more of her adventures.

[Aly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Before this book, I had never read a spy book like this. It takes place in 1960s London and features an autistic main character who is recruited to work as a spy for the British government because she's so observant and good at puzzles. I loved the setting and having a neuro-divergent heroine, it was very unique and set this apart.

This felt like an introductory book, we didn't get to know the side characters super well and I still have some questions about Kitty and her life before the story starts. There's no romance, which is fine, but I wanted to see some deeper connections form between Kitty and her fellow spies. Other than Verity, we only see the 'young bloods' a couple times and I would love a sequel where we get to see Kitty further drawn into their group.

The mission was fun but seemed resolved fairly easily and I was hoping it wouldn't be completely wrapped up to leave room for another book. I still think it would be easy to continue the series and I'll keep checking back in case!

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. Thank you to Lerner Publishing Group and NetGalley for the copy.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 STARS

This book was an easy read, but unfortunately despite an interesting premise it never really reached its full potential.

Kitty was an interesting protagonist, and while I didn't necessarily understand why the author seemed so keen to write an autistic character without actually saying she was, the afterword to the book explains this well. Unfortunately, like the other characters in this book, her characterisation falls flat and she ends up being rather two dimensional.

There isn't much character development in this book, with characters often being introduced despite having little relevance to the story. As well as this, often the plot seemed a tad too convenient - and thus beyond how far I was willing to suspend my disbelief.

However, the historical setting was fun, and I enjoyed reading a young adult novel with a neurodivergent protagonist. If you're looking for a good read for a young teenager, this might just be it, unfortunately its appeal doesn't really extend much further.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kitty Granger isn’t merely peculiar, she’s autistic. The Secret Life of Kitty Granger goes out of its way to describe her autistic traits, without directly stating she is autistic. This could be a sign of the times within the book itself, or the fact that young girls are more difficult to diagnose. Nonetheless, it would have lent more credence to Kitty’s character development in utilizing a neurodiverse character without hiding her true diagnosis.

Kitty’s neurodivergent-related quirks and peculiarities truly made her more adept at conquering the world around her. From being a spy and dealing with conspiracy theories, her attention to detail was indeed her super power. Kitty has such potential and I can’t wait to see wait when gets up to next. I think Kitty would be perfect for ages 10 and up!

Check out The Secret Life of Kitty Granger on 2 Mar 21’

[kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty Granger knows she is a little different from everyone else, but she never guessed that her ability to notice things that are out of place and remember tiny details could land her a job with a network of spies. Kitty must learn how to manage and use what is both a talent and disadvantage for her as she thrown into a dangerous mission to save London.

“The Secret Life of Kitty Granger” is a fun read with everything you could ever want: a secret agency, spies and conspiracies. On top of this, it held great insight into history and what it may have been like for a girl to grow up with autism during the early 1900s. I think that this would make a really good read for teens interested in a variety of genres because the novel is not only exciting and fun, but also has danger and tension, with a valuable overall message.

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[Caylie Ratzlaff · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received courtesy of NetGalley.

I really really was looking forward to this. Historical fiction, protagonist that is neurodivergent, all of the things I LOVE plus set in Britain, but it fell flat. The plot was thought out, but the time jumps were too much, along with the pacing. The setting, characters, and everything else was well-developed, but it just felt rushed as we neared the climax and falling action of the story. I also think the resolution left much to be desired out of what I assume to be a standalone (correct me if I'm wrong).

Kitty, however, it a protagonist who is needed within YA literature by being autistic and demonstrating stimming and coping mechanisms throughout the book.

Also, I applaud the author for writing in an East End accent for Kitty.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

~Free netgalley book for review~ This was a lot of fun! I enjoyed reading this and I think younger readers would probably appreciate it even more. There’s action and a spy agency and secret identities and Kitty is a nice strong heroine and learns more about herself and her capabilities in this story.

I will say I think she jumps into following Singh and Pryce a little easily (she certainly doesn’t consider any consequences, or have any real emotional/moral reason to join them, but whatever, we have to get the plot rolling) however I’m inclined to forgive this because overall I was entertained throughout this short book. The story starts off with a bang and is a fast paced and refreshing read to its conclusion. I would definitely read more of this if it ends up as a series.

[katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this!! it was nice to read about a girl with autism, as I haven't come across a lot of books with autistic characters, let alone an autistic girl. I appreciated that it was described as part of her identity rather than some strange disorder she has, especially since autism wasn't really well-known in the 1960s.
I was definitely pretty intrigued by the plot, especially the more action-y parts, which was refreshing since I don't read many action-packed books like this.
I feel like this could be a really good trilogy or something, rather than a standalone. I'd like to read more about kitty and verity's relationship to see where it goes!!

[Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story and history were fun. I really enjoyed reading about a neurodivergent main character, her quirkiness and peculiarities and how she traveled her world were really interesting which is a shame because the story felt flat and sadly didn't reach its potential. I was expecting and hoping for more character development but we only got a glimpse of it. Maybe in the next book it'll be explored at its fullest.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally spaced on leaving the review for this after I finished it. Things have been crazy hectic ... something that I know Kitty would totally understand. She's a kindred spirit in so many ways. Granted, I am far from being 16 or British and I never got to live out my fantasies of being part of a kickass Avengers-type team (the Peel/Steed Avengers, of course .... not the Marvel ones). But still. I feel like she would get me and I definitely felt like I got her and I can't wait to see what happens with her next ... because there absolutely HAS to be a next!

[pdarnold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this eBook free via NetGalley for review.

Kitty is quite the character! I loved this character - warts and all. She's a dynamo of courage and fear and action. Kitty struggles with some form of autism, but overpowers it in her own unique ways. The story is NOT about autism, just the fact that Kitty must travel life a bit differently. This is more like James Bond meets Nancy Drew. And what a ride it is! Filled with intrigue, action and conquest. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more about Kitty Granger.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good fun, change of pace from my normal mystery reading. Definitely written for a teen audience - there are a lot of cliches and simple thoughts and sentences, but the main character is a teenage female who is undiagnosed with autism. Of course, as the heroine, she's a badass action star with twinges of autistic feelings she overcomes. Without the autism, this is the unrealistic side of the book, with it, even more so. But, for entertainment value where strong, female spy leads are hard to come by in any sense, this is worthwhile.

[Mrs. Ball · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book - spies, secret missions, a 16-year old autistic heroine…. Unfortunately, Kitty’s character wasn’t fleshed out enough for me to care about her one way or another. In addition, parts of the book were rather unbelievable. Kitty is after all only 16, but somehow seems to know exactly what to do, even when the seasoned spies don’t. The book definitely ends with events that could lead to a sequel. I don’t know if I would bother reading it, though.