Sure Fire [Mass Market Paperback]

Jack Higgins (Author), Justin Richards (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 4, 2008

For twins Rich and Jade, their lives have just been turned upside down. When their mother is tragically killed in a car crash, their long-lost father, John Chance, appears to collect them at the funeral. He?s a bachelor who lives on his own, and it?s clear that Rich and Jade aren?t welcome. But when Chance suddenly disappears, Rich and Jade uncover the truth: He?s a spy. And now, whoever kidnapped their father is after them, too. Sure Fire is a gripping adventure from the master of the modern thriller.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A compelling thriller from a master storyteller." Waterstone's Books Quarterly "All the action you could want! with all the testosterone, adrenaline and humour you could wish for." Books for Keeps "Jack Higgins, the master of modern thriller writing, treats a younger audience to a brilliant helping of suspense, spills and thrills in this great action-packed children's thriller. Fast-paced, great dialogue, a perfect stocking-filler!" Gateway Monthly

About the Author

Jack Higgins lives on Jersey in the Channel Islands.
Justin Richards lives in England.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Speak; Reprint edition (September 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142412139
• ISBN-13: 978-0142412138
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #462,990 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A quick read that will no doubt interest fans of thrillers and mysteries, February 21, 2008

By 

Bookreporter (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sure Fire (Hardcover)

A life can be changed in a split second. For 15-year-old twins Rich and Jade, the death of their mother in a tragic car accident has uncovered a surprising secret. On the day of her funeral, a professional-looking man named John Chance introduces himself and claims to be their father. The twins are skeptical about how much Chance is willing to be a family man and wonder if they ever will have a proper family again.

Shortly after moving into Chance's flat, Rich and Jade discover --- as they predicted --- that Chance isn't really ready to look after his children and seems quite content being a bachelor. He announces that he is sending them to separate boarding schools for at least one term. Rich (bookish and laid-back) and Jade (willful and health-conscious) are also taken aback by Chance's living situation, his habits and his secretive manner when asked about his career. Nothing is what it seems, however, when the siblings witness their father being kidnapped after following him one evening.

As they try to determine where and for what reason their dad was taken, Rich and Jade learn that he has been involved in espionage, working undercover to figure out the plan of a Russian baron named Vishinsky and put a stop to his greed. However, the twins don't know who to trust and may have been made the next target in the dangerous game that is rapidly unfolding around them.

SURE FIRE is the first young adult novel from bestselling author Jack Higgins, in collaboration with Justin Richards. Unfortunately, I figured out the prized item that was being sought after within the first few chapters, so I wasn't at all surprised by the plot twist. However, I was glad that I continued reading the book, because even if a few of the bad guys' personas seem a bit stereotypical, there are characters like Halford who are interesting and great action scenes, including a few explosions, along with some comedic moments.

Will there be another novel with the Chance family and their associates? I would like to think so. All in all, SURE FIRE is a quick read that will no doubt interest fans of thrillers and mysteries.

--- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sure Fire - an excellent book, December 4, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Sure Fire (Hardcover)

"Rich felt his insides turn to water as the man introduced himself. John Chance, he said. I'm your father." Rich and Jade Chance are stunned when their long lost father shows up at their mother's funeral. This book makes you appreciate how important family really is.

Sure Fire is an adventure novel by Jack Higgins with Justin Richards. As Rich and Jade travel from London to Krejikistan, they learn more about their Dad, and each other. In the world of spies, no one is who they appear to be. Rich and Jade struggle to learn who they can trust, and who they cannot. This is an exiting book and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sure Fire Hit, October 22, 2007

By 

Rosa "Bookworm" (Detroit,MichiganUSA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sure Fire (Hardcover)

This a great thriller especially for young readers. It's maybe a little tame for true Jack Higgins fans. But it's worth reading. It starts out with Jade and Rich who is trying to recover from their mother death.But only to discover that their dad John Chance is a spy. And their lives as well as their dad may be in danger. It is suspenseful and full of action.