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Family of Spies
When cousins Ford, Ellie and Gavin, discover their great-grandfather was a rogue World War 2 spymaster, they must outrun MI6 and the CIA
through the streets of Paris, relying on their wits and Ford’s newfound clairvoyant skills to unlock Great-Granddad’s spy secrets buried in the past. Great-Granddad hid something important to the war effort and these agencies want it back!
through the streets of Paris, relying on their wits and Ford’s newfound clairvoyant skills to unlock Great-Granddad’s spy secrets buried in the past. Great-Granddad hid something important to the war effort and these agencies want it back!
296 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 26, 2018
A family mystery unravelled with a touch of magic. Ford is on his summer holidays with his family. He feels everyone has their own special gift except himself. Gavin is super smart and Ellie is pretty brainy too. They have great hobbies and even speak better French. He wants to find his thing, little does he know, Ford is pretty unique. As the annual MacKenzie- Whitaker family trip begins the group are going to discover a family secret which will make the holiday even more thrilling.
Their Great-grandfather was a spy during the Second World War. Ford finds some old pictures and gets a glimpse into the past. Ford's special gift is to see more than the photograph. Now the family are getting more than they bargained for and an adventure around Paris.
The idea of Family of Spies is really creative and the story is a great adventure. 4 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review as part of the Chapter by Chapter blog tour.
Their Great-grandfather was a spy during the Second World War. Ford finds some old pictures and gets a glimpse into the past. Ford's special gift is to see more than the photograph. Now the family are getting more than they bargained for and an adventure around Paris.
The idea of Family of Spies is really creative and the story is a great adventure. 4 stars out of 5.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review as part of the Chapter by Chapter blog tour.
April 26, 2018
Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
An entertaining and enjoyable read! I love the way history mixes with the present day as Ford, Gavin and Ellie try to solve the mystery of their great-grandfather’s secret mission during World War II. There’s suspense, intrigue, and a race against time as the trio try to outrun the suspicious characters who are following them. This book will leave you wanting more.
An entertaining and enjoyable read! I love the way history mixes with the present day as Ford, Gavin and Ellie try to solve the mystery of their great-grandfather’s secret mission during World War II. There’s suspense, intrigue, and a race against time as the trio try to outrun the suspicious characters who are following them. This book will leave you wanting more.
May 13, 2018
Carmichael's energy and sense of humour shines through in this middle grade mystery novel set in Paris. The adults in this story are suitably annoying, while the kids immerse themselves in an adventure of time travel and espionage. Highly recommended escapism with a touch of real history.
September 6, 2020
The author's inspiration for the book grew out of the fact that the records detailing her grandfather Edward Crawford's service in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II remain sealed to this day. Why? Could he have been a spy? Jodi Carmichael imagines that three of Edward's great-grandchildren have arrived in Paris on a family vacation. They have a suitcase of their great grandfather's belongings and hatch a plan to try to figure out the mystery surrounding his military service.
I attended the launch of this book and the author had some of her grandfather's memorabilia on display, including his war medals and a photograph of him after the Newfoundland native was named a Rhodes Scholar.
Jodi Carmichael wrote Family of Spies while living in Europe so she was able to visit the important sites in Paris where the action in her novel takes place. That 'feet on the ground' research is evident in her vivid descriptions of French landmarks.
As the book's heroes Ford, Ellie and Gavin explore Paris, trying to discover the truth about their great grandfather's past, they also discover some truths about themselves and their relationships with one another. I really liked that about the book.
I attended the launch of this book and the author had some of her grandfather's memorabilia on display, including his war medals and a photograph of him after the Newfoundland native was named a Rhodes Scholar.
Jodi Carmichael wrote Family of Spies while living in Europe so she was able to visit the important sites in Paris where the action in her novel takes place. That 'feet on the ground' research is evident in her vivid descriptions of French landmarks.
As the book's heroes Ford, Ellie and Gavin explore Paris, trying to discover the truth about their great grandfather's past, they also discover some truths about themselves and their relationships with one another. I really liked that about the book.
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September 1, 2025This book was really good and really interesting--for the most part. The spies and the history into Edward Hugh Martin Crawford's real life was fascinating and I was so eager for the kids to solve the mystery of his past. The fact that the information about his military career is still sealed makes it even more intriguing! And the CIA/M16 chasing the kids throughout the book added to the thrill and suspense.
However. The clairvoyance aspect was neat in a way, but it also made me feel uncomfortable when it was said that Ford had these "psychic abilities" and could "walk through souls" and then he even talked to dead people at the end? That really wasn't what I was hoping for in this book and I definitely could've done without it. I would've preferred for his ability to watch events of the past to be labeled as some sort of superpower--that's it and nothing more.
However. The clairvoyance aspect was neat in a way, but it also made me feel uncomfortable when it was said that Ford had these "psychic abilities" and could "walk through souls" and then he even talked to dead people at the end? That really wasn't what I was hoping for in this book and I definitely could've done without it. I would've preferred for his ability to watch events of the past to be labeled as some sort of superpower--that's it and nothing more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2018
*I got this book for review and gave it 3.5 stars for review*
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how this book addressed both spy related issues and also historical connections. I also really loved the dynamics between the three teen characters really made me fly through this book. I loved the hint of magic the created this novel. I really found this to be face pace novel and found it super fun read. I def enjoyed the male lead a lot and liked the various pictures that accented this novel. I wonder if we will get more book in this series in the future. If you like books like the conspiracy of us and proof of lies, you should check this one out!
I really enjoyed this book. I loved how this book addressed both spy related issues and also historical connections. I also really loved the dynamics between the three teen characters really made me fly through this book. I loved the hint of magic the created this novel. I really found this to be face pace novel and found it super fun read. I def enjoyed the male lead a lot and liked the various pictures that accented this novel. I wonder if we will get more book in this series in the future. If you like books like the conspiracy of us and proof of lies, you should check this one out!
July 27, 2018
I'm going to give it a 4 for a number of reasons that may not resonate with everyone:
1. The author is from Winnipeg and there are fun Winnipeg references.
2. The publisher is in Wolseley (a neighbourhood of Winnipeg).
3. There is a family with 2 boys aged 3 years apart.
4. The family is taking a trip to Paris.
5. It's a pretty good page turner with a plot that moves along and the characters are likeable.
6. I think it's a fun middle years book.
My one sadness is the ending is a bit unsatisfying but I think it is intended that way as it seems to be set up for second book ... which I really hope there is because I'd like more satisfaction. :)
1. The author is from Winnipeg and there are fun Winnipeg references.
2. The publisher is in Wolseley (a neighbourhood of Winnipeg).
3. There is a family with 2 boys aged 3 years apart.
4. The family is taking a trip to Paris.
5. It's a pretty good page turner with a plot that moves along and the characters are likeable.
6. I think it's a fun middle years book.
My one sadness is the ending is a bit unsatisfying but I think it is intended that way as it seems to be set up for second book ... which I really hope there is because I'd like more satisfaction. :)
July 22, 2022
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
This book was very enjoyable, it combined spies with supernatural abilities. I really liked Gavin and Ford’s relationship and how it developed as the story went on.
Genre: Middle Grade Fiction
This book was very enjoyable, it combined spies with supernatural abilities. I really liked Gavin and Ford’s relationship and how it developed as the story went on.
May 8, 2018
Ford is on a family trip to Paris where his family can regal in the history of his great-grandfather. A strange thing happens when he starts getting visions of the past. He and his brother with their American cousin get thrown in a decade’s old mystery that needs to be solved. With his newly manifested clairvoyant abilities, they try to get to the bottom of it. Little do they know that they also have the attention of MI6 and the CIA.
In an Oyster Shell – This was a surprising read that I didn’t think I was going to like and left me completely astounded.
The Pearls – At first I thought I had stumbled on a middle-grade read and was a little disappointed. Not much after that, I was wowed by a mystery that engrossed me. I don’t think this is middle-grade though it does have younger characters. It was a beautiful meld of paranormal, mystery, and an exotic setting.
The characters where few. There is usually a myriad of side characters and in comparison, this book had very few. It made the focus on the characters very powerful. The few characters packed a punch. It was quite refreshing for once.
I like the paranormal aspect. I’m not a fan of all paranormal but a clairvoyant of the past I’m okay with. Using it to solve a family mystery made for a really great story.
The Sand – It was a really great story. I really hope that the author turns this into a series!
In an Oyster Shell – This was a surprising read that I didn’t think I was going to like and left me completely astounded.
The Pearls – At first I thought I had stumbled on a middle-grade read and was a little disappointed. Not much after that, I was wowed by a mystery that engrossed me. I don’t think this is middle-grade though it does have younger characters. It was a beautiful meld of paranormal, mystery, and an exotic setting.
The characters where few. There is usually a myriad of side characters and in comparison, this book had very few. It made the focus on the characters very powerful. The few characters packed a punch. It was quite refreshing for once.
I like the paranormal aspect. I’m not a fan of all paranormal but a clairvoyant of the past I’m okay with. Using it to solve a family mystery made for a really great story.
The Sand – It was a really great story. I really hope that the author turns this into a series!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews