Listen to a sample
City of Spies
- Narrator
- Iszi Lawrence
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 25 June 2026
- Run Time
- 3 hours 59 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
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A thrilling spy adventure set in New York during the American revolution. From the rising star of children’s historical fiction, Iszi Lawrence, this is the perfect high-action adventure for fans of Horrible Histories, Emma Carroll and Hamilton.
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It's 1780 and the struggle for American independence is raging. In New York, twelve-year-old Aiden
Blaise is sure that the British will win soon. How can a few rebel colonies hold out against the might of the British crown? And anyway he's more concerned with somehow managing to rise above his lot in life and make his fortune.
But New York is a powder keg of soldiers and spies, and soon Aiden will be drawn into the fight for freedom in a way he could never have predicted...
Packed with historical detail and tales of the Culper Spy Ring, Benedict Arnold, James Rivington and George Washington, this page-turning thriller about the American War of Independence will have young readers gripped.
Critics Review
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Compellingly evocative and fast-paced
The Guardian
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Another gripping, revealing historical adventure from Lawrence and well worth sharing.
Books For Keeps
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Packed with action and compelling twists and turns, the costumes and corruption created an atmosphere of such danger and intrigue, it was hard to put down.
The BreadCrumb Forest
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I think it is a great read for KS2 aged kids learning about British colonies and the American War of Independence. In fact, even if your kids are not learning about this part of history, it is still an interesting read and one which will help them gain an understanding of why this event happened.
O Family Learning Together blog
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Adventure, secret codes and scenes from real life... There is no better way to enjoy and learn about history than with a good book and one that is ideal for reluctant readers too.
Armadillo Magazine
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A cracker of a tale
G Lippiett, Librarian
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Full of historical detail and codebreaking puzzles, it really brought this period of history to life. A fantastic adventure for 9-12 year olds
Lydia Mayor, Librarian
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This book is full of action, excitement and historical detail. There isn't a middle grade adventure book worm or mathematics-loving code breaker who won't enjoy it and as fans of Hamilton, we found the history interesting and exciting in a way that, even without prior knowledge of the era, you can't help but learn as you read – our favourite kind of fictional book!
Reader via NetGalley
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This is a gripping historical novel full of spies, traitors and difficult decisions. Packed with action and compelling twists and turns, it was hard to put down
Tracy Curran via NetGalley
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This book is full of action, excitement and historical detail. There isn't a middle grade adventure bookworm or mathematics-loving code breaker who won't enjoy it!
Bentley Heath Primary School Book Club via NetGalley
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PRAISE FOR BLACKBEARD'S TREASURE This is children's fiction at its best!
The Lady
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PRAISE FOR BLACKBEARD'S TREASURE
Your 8-12 year olds need to get their hands on this swashbuckling adventure by the brilliant Iszi Lawrence.Natalie Haynes, author of Stone Blind and A Thousand Ships
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PRAISE FOR THE UNSTOPPABLE LETTY PEGG
Letty and her friends and rivals are great characters, as are the real life people she comes across at different times in her adventures. Thoroughly recommended.Books for Keeps
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PRAISE FOR BILLIE SWIFT TAKES FLIGHT
It is brimming with historical detail and really highlights the heroic nature of some very inspirational women. It would be an excellent class story that would provide children with a tale about a thrilling war-time adventure.Reading Zone
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Iszi Lawrence, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
- Narrator
- Iszi Lawrence
- Duration
- 3 hours 59 minutes
- Release Date
- 25 June 2026
- ISBN
- 9781801999458
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fiction, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Warfare, battles, armed forces, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Action and adventure stories
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents City of Spies, written and read by Iszi Lawrence ---------------A thrilling spy adventure set in New York during the American revolution. From the rising star of children’s historical fiction, Iszi Lawrence, this is the perfect high-action adventure for fans of Horrible Histories, Emma Carroll and Hamilton. ---------------It's 1780 and the struggle for American independence is raging. In New York, twelve-year-old Aiden Blaise is sure that the British will win soon. How can a few rebel colonies hold out against the might of the British crown? And anyway he's more concerned with somehow managing to rise above his lot in life and make his fortune. But New York is a powder keg of soldiers and spies, and soon Aiden will be drawn into the fight for freedom in a way he could never have predicted...Packed with historical detail and tales of the Culper Spy Ring, Benedict Arnold, James Rivington and George Washington, this page-turning thriller about the American War of Independence will have young readers gripped.
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