Spy Goddess, Book One: Live and Let Shop [Mass Market Paperback]

Michael P. Spradlin (Author)

Book Description

Series: Spy Goddess | Publication Date: January 24, 2006

I was never a delinquent.

Not really.

I'm just misunderstood.

Of course, that's not how the judge saw it.

That's how I wound up at freaky Blackthorn Academy. Talk about boring. There isn't even a mall nearby. I mean, what did they expect a girl from Beverly Hills to do?

Also, from the start I could tell there was something really weird about Blackthorn:

The headmaster, Mr. Kim, knew way too much about me.

The class schedule features Intro to Code Theory and Microelectronics.

A whole section of the school is off-limits.

Then the FBI showed up ... and Mr. Kim disappeared.

Well, here's something Mr. Kim didn't know about me: Rachel Buchanan never gives up when there are secrets to uncover. Watch out, Blackthorn Academy!

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-10–Rachel Buchanan, 15, is Blackthorn Academy's newest student. Arrested in California for grand theft auto, the wealthy teen is sent to this Pennsylvania boarding school to avoid a sentence in juvenile detention. It is here that Rachel's life changes forever. Blackthorn Academy is no ordinary boarding school, and Jonathon Kim is no ordinary headmaster. Rachel's penchant for discovering the truth leads her unwittingly into her first mission–to save the Book of Seraphim–and ultimately to uncover Kim's secret. A former FBI special agent, the headmaster runs a covert operation through the school to protect the world from Simon Blankenship, another former Special Forces agent who believes he is the mythical underworld god, Mithras, reborn and destined to rule the world. Although the characters are not terribly complex and the plot is fairly far-fetched, the book is an entertaining page-turner. Spradlin captures the perfect teenage voice in his protagonist; she is more than just a spoiled, fashion-conscious teen from Beverly Hills–she is the Spy Goddess–witty and smart with an edge. Overall, this is an intelligent, exciting mystery that will have broad appeal.–Leigh Ann Morlock, formerly at Vernonia School District, OR --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 6-9. Someone has stolen the Book of the Seraphim, and legend has it that the second coming of Mithras is near. Fifteen-year-old Rachel Buchanan, an unenthusiastic student at Blackthorn School, wouldn't care except that her class recently visited the museum that houses the artifact, and she overheard her headmaster talking urgently to an FBI agent. Something is up, and Rachel isn't one to sit by without investigating. When Headmaster Kim disappears, Rachel is the only person with enough information to rescue him. Boys as well as girls will be attracted to this first book in a proposed series, and they'll eagerly follow Rachel's adventures, similar in feel to Alex Ryder's, but more about solving puzzles than using gadgetry. Cindy Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 271 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (January 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060594098
• ISBN-13: 978-0060594091
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,874,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children, some of which have actually been published. He grew up in a small town in Michigan not far from the Indiana border, which may explain his irrational fear of Hoosiers. (Both the inhabitants of the state of Indiana and the movie starring Gene Hackman).

Surrounded by books in his formative years, he grew up loving to read, imagining himself the hero of numerous epic battles and indulging in his favorite pastime, which was smuggling fireworks across the Ohio border so that he could blow up his collection of Plastic Green Army Men and Matchbox Cars.

Michael is the author The Youngest Templar trilogy, The Spy Goddess series, and several picture books including the award winning Daniel Boone's Great Escape.

When not writing, he enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with his family and worrying over the fact that he really should be writing instead of doing other stuff. He lives in Michigan with his wife Kelly, son Michael, daughter Rachel and two dogs Willow and Apollo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Spy thriller!, February 5, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Spy Goddess, Book One: Live and Let Shop (Hardcover)

This book was soo great! I could really relate to Rachel! Stayed up soo long just to finish it! Now I am getting the 2nd!

5 starz!!!!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't Wait For The Sequel!, April 27, 2005

By 

Chuck Quinn "Chuck" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spy Goddess, Book One: Live and Let Shop (Hardcover)

This was a really good read. Each chapter was crammed with witty humor and teenage follies. This is a great book for a teen reader who loves humor and suspense skillfully woven into a book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really great read, March 26, 2006

By 

buklovr "buklovr" (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spy Goddess, Book One: Live and Let Shop (Hardcover)

I picked up this book in paperback because I was intigued by the title. Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. It was a story that just kept me turning the pages and I got mad when I had to stop reading because of homework.

Rachel Buchanan is a really interesting character. At first you're not sure if you're going to like her. But she changes over the course of the book. She figures things out and she's brave and not afraid of life like she is at the beginning.

She get's sent off to the Boarding School, Blackthorn Academy, and at first she doesn't want to be there. But the way the author describes the school you get so caught up in the mystery of the place that you know Rachel is going to uncover the mystery. And the characters in the first book are awesome and I can't wait to read more about them.

I'm buying the next book right away and I recommened this for anyone who likes a fast paced fun adventure story.