Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai

Endorsements

“A spy mission, high-stakes competition, and a satisfying story of girlhood

     “Simone LaFray is a spy, a singer, a chess player, and the teenage daughter of a world famous chocolatier. Just as she gets settled back into her impressive lifestyle in Paris, Simone and her mother are called in for a new assignment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

     “The OmniKey, a device of extreme importance to their superior, Eloise, isn’t working properly, and it’s up to Simone to persuade the only person who can fix it. 

     “This is the third book in a series following Simone, and it picks up right where Book Two ends. With an impressive balance of action and drama, S.P. O’Farrell captures the essence of preteen girlhood with flair and expert espionage. It’s what preteen dreams are made of.

     “Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai is a winning combination of the Spy Kids series and The Queen’s Gambit. Simone is competing for the Junior World Chess Championship while juggling a larger spy mission. Spy teens almost always hit the mark for me, but Simone also leads a fascinating life both in and outside of her missions. You’ll be all in by the time you finish the first chapter.

     “I can’t think of a single preteen girl who won’t want to be in Simone LaFray’s shoes. She’s practical and successful and hard-working, but she also saves time to enjoy herself. Her best friend, known as “the V,” balances out Simone’s serious nature with fun-loving quips and an endless list of things to talk about. When the V goes on about her first boyfriend, Simone is reminded that they aren’t just little girls anymore. Growing up is closer than it’s ever been.

     “Mumbai is the big adventure in this installment. At the Junior World Chess Championship, Simone is tasked with finding a boy known as the Bishop, whose intelligence can help her superior Eloise get out of a sticky situation.

     “But things don’t go to plan when in Mumbai. She soon finds out that the Bishop isn’t anything like she imagined him to be. After talking to him briefly, she begins to question everything she’s ever known and the people she’s supposed to trust. The dynamic between the two is thrilling, and their interactions make up some of the best scenes in the book—a tall feat for a story involving a teen spy! There is so much on the line for both of them. The Bishop desperately wants to find his parents, and Simone feels pressure to complete the mission successfully; combined, their narrative provides a real edge-of-your-seat kind of reading experience. 

 “O’Farrell succeeds not only in high-tension espionage storytelling but characterization. Simone isn’t only a spy trying to save the day; she’s also a lover of chess and an easy-to-root-for human. Her partner on this mission, Harper, is complex and interesting too. Each character is given enough background through intentional dialogue and backstory that you’ll empathize with all of them.

     “Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai is a standalone, too! Two books come before it, and more will come after it (I hope), but readers get an exciting, satisfying story all on its own—along with two previous books to enjoy right after finishing this one.”

      — Jaylynn Korrell, The Independent Book Review

“In the third installment of the Simone LaFray series, S.P. O’Farrell delivers a globe-trotting, chess-themed nail-biter that elevates this middle-grade spy series to new heights.

     “Thirteen-year-old junior spy Simone LaFray faces her most challenging mission yet as she navigates international chess competitions, mysterious organizations, and questions of loyalty that will test her developing skills as both a spy and a young woman coming of age. The story opens with Simone discovering a mysterious painting, Blue No. 2, in her family’s patisserie—the same painting stolen by the notorious Red Fox in the first book. When the painting vanishes before she can show her family, Simone is left questioning her own perceptions.

     “Five months later, she’s assigned a mission by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: to compete in the Junior World Chess Championship in Mumbai, where she must befriend Reyansh Balakrishnan, the reigning chess champion known as “The Bishop of Mumbai,” and discover how to operate a powerful device called the OmniKey. With fellow junior agent Harper Faust as her partner, Simone travels from Paris to Rome to Mumbai, where the high-stakes chess tournament becomes the perfect pressure cooker for international intrigue. With chess as both a plot device and metaphor, each strategic move on the board mirrors the careful calculations Simone must make in her mission.

     “Young readers who enjoy spy stories, chess, international adventures, or strong female protagonists will find much to love in this intricately plotted mystery. As we’ve come to expect from O’Farrell, Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai presents high stakes, complex moral questions, and sophisticated character development. While it maintains the charm and accessibility of middle-grade fiction, it doesn’t shy away from challenging its readers with questions about loyalty, truth, and standing up for what’s right even when institutions fail. O’Farrell balances Simone’s growth as a spy with her ordinary teenage concerns—her internal struggles with confidence, belonging, and finding her place in the chess and spy worlds make her victories all the more satisfying. At the same time, her dynamic relationships with best friend “the V,” fellow agent Harper, and her growing family (including baby brother Hugo) ground her adventures in relatable emotional territory.

 “The introduction of Reyansh Balakrishnan as a complex antagonist/ally proves particularly effective. Far from a one-dimensional villain, the Bishop is portrayed with a depth that challenges Simone’s—and the reader’s—assumptions about who can be trusted. The revelation of complex loyalties and unexpected allegiances adds layers to the international intrigue.

     “Mumbai comes alive under O’Farrell’s descriptive prose. From the bustling streets and chaotic traffic to the vibrant colors of the Holi celebration and the labyrinthine paths of the Dharavi slums. The setting becomes a character in its own right as the author skillfully contrasts the opulence of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel with the resourcefulness and artistry found in Dharavi, creating a rich backdrop for this international adventure. The carefully crafted cracker of an ending feels both satisfying as a conclusion to this particular adventure and tantalizingly open-ended for future installments.

     “Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai stands well on its own, but readers will benefit from starting with the first two installments to fully appreciate Simone’s growth and the expanding world O’Farrell has created. Highly recommended for ages 9-14, particularly appealing to young readers who enjoy girl detectives, international settings, and strategic puzzles.”

     — The Children’s Book Review

“This international teen thriller is a gripping clash of brilliant minds and concealed motives.

   “Chess is a strategic game where wits outmatch strength, and patience is more than a virtue. For teen operative Simone LaFray, strategy and intelligence have always been her greatest assets, enabling her to excel in school, spycraft, and life. But her latest mission threatens to spiral beyond her control, forcing her to confront dangers she’s unprepared for and risks she can’t predict. Simone’s newest assignment brings her face to face with Reyansh Kumar Balakrishnan, an elusive chess prodigy and personal hero. Known in chess circles as the Bishop of Mumbai, Reyansh might be as relentless in his private life as he is on the chessboard, but his enigmatic nature makes him nearly impossible to figure out. And that is exactly what Simon has to do to fulfill her duty to the Ministry. Hyperintelligent and charming, Reyansh holds the key to unlocking a device that has left the Ministry stumped, but he’s not the only puzzle Simone must piece together. A cryptic message from an associate leaves her unsettled, an audacious kidnapping attempt puts her on edge, and her chess skills won’t be polished without practice. No matter how cunning the Bishop’s next move might be, Simone is determined to outmaneuver him, even if the rules of the game bend and the pieces take a different shape.

     “From Paris to Mumbai, this international teen thriller is a gripping clash of brilliant minds and concealed motives. Growing up as the daughter of legendary spy Julia LaFray is a lot to live up to, but Simone is far from ordinary, and being an agency girl is in her DNA. Whether confronting a traitor or thwarting a kidnapper, Simone tries her best to stay one step ahead of danger. The main storyline builds toward an epic chess tournament, while subplots add depth and authenticity to a cast of supporting characters rich in personality. Down-to-earth interactions with her friends, advisors, a school bully, and others remind readers that this extraordinary girl is only thirteen and navigates many of the same challenges as younger readers. Simone is clever, observant, precise, and focused, a protagonist that audiences will relish unraveling mysteries alongside. Suspenseful scenes keep graphic violence to a minimum while maximizing tension and uncertainty, making Simone’s adventures entertaining for adults and appropriate for middle grade readers. A resourceful young spy is pitted against an adversary worthy of his reputation in Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai, an engaging battle of wit, willpower, and deception.”

     —Jennifer Jackson, Indies Today