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Escape on a thrilling adventure to an enemy capital, where two teenagers race against spies and mobsters to recover a priceless vinyl record that just might save the world.
When Harrison, the son of American diplomats, lands in Moscow at the height of the Cold War, he knows three things: his passport will keep him safe, his daydreams will keep him company, and his music will keep him sane.
But everything he knows is about to be shattered.
His father has vanished, his mother is keeping secrets, and his best friend Prudence, the fearless daughter of foreign correspondents, leads him on a dangerous pursuit of a mysterious femme fatale.
Suddenly they're on the run from the CIA, the KGB, and an assortment of treasure hunters, all desperate to get their hands on a legendary lost Beatles record in a place where rock music is banned.
Their only hope is to navigate a treacherous underworld — a world of coded messages, secret gatherings, maps made by spies, walls that have ears, cellars dripping with menace, skyscrapers that trap you in the clouds, and elevators whose rides could be your last.
As the Cold War threatens to heat up, Harrison turns to the last person he ought to trust — a renegade spy on a mission of personal redemption — and learns the timeless lesson that love is all you need.
Full of suspense, Back in the USSR is perfect for fans of Alex Rider, Code Name Verity, and Ruta Sepetys. It will keep you on the edge of your seat right up to the emotional, uplifting ending.
BOOK DETAILS
BOOK DETAILS
Publisher: Spy Pond Press
Publication Date:
ISBN: 9798986169903 (ebook) | 9798986169910 (paperback) | 9798986169927 (hardcover)
Print Length: 326 pages
Print Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 inches (216 x 140 mm)
Praise
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"MASTERFUL ... EXPERTLY PACED ... RIVETING ... 10 OUT OF 10."
-The BookLife Prize by Publishers Weekly (Middle Grade/YA Semifinalist) -
"Vividly painted and irresistible … a fun, rich, and sophisticated page-turner … Highly recommended!"
-Tim Weed, award-winning author of YA novel Will Poole's Island -
"Clever plot twists abound, keeping the reader spellbound up to the colorful and dramatic ending."
-Laurel Davis Huber, award-winning author of historical novel The Velveteen Daughter -
"Kept me turning the page to see what happened next, all the while delighting with easter eggs, lyric references and the pure joy that The Beatles bring to the world."
-Obadiah Jones, host of Beatles podcast "Gimme Some Truth"
I loved Strawberry Fields, so I had to wonder how author Patrick D. Joyce would follow up with Back to the USSR. The book opens fifteen years after the ending of Strawberry Fields. A strong-willed teenager named Pru (the daughter of reporters Josie and Laurent who were featured in book one), joins her friend Harrison George (named after the famous Beatle) on a risky adventure. Because Harrison is the son of American diplomats, his life is more visible to spies in a country where spying is commonplace and freedom is elusive.
Harrison and Pru try to outrun Russian mobsters and spies who are desperate to find a legendary lost record by The Beatles, a symbol of freedom in a place where rock and roll is banned. Back in the USSR is told by a master storyteller whose talent for building thrillers is evident on every page. And it isn’t just the plot that will keep you riveted. It’s the characters, too, who will continue to intrigue you long after you’ve finished the book.
What a fun read! Especially delightful for Beatles fans, but a lot here for non-fans to enjoy, too (and a treasure trove of music for them to discover.) The author did such a great job describing the wide cast of characters that you never lost track of who was who. The plot was sometimes manic, sometimes fantastical, and always engaging. Loved the authentic glimpse into day-to-day life in Russia in the last days of the cold war. Highly recommend!
Light reading. Well written. Good story
Well, that turned out to be a lot of fun. It started out slow for me, in the laying of the groundwork about the two main characters and the supporting characters. I think in part due to my Beatles knowledge, as I’m not a huge fan. But, as a mystery lover, once the mystery started I was hooked. And, actually, it made me want to go listen to all the Beatles albums. I recommend ordering the paperback, it’s very high-quality. I tried the e-version and much preferred the actual book.
This was an amazing and very exiting book about friendship and trust! This book was very adventurous and I couldn’t put it down! I would highly recommend!