Spy Ring

Two modern-day kids discover the truth about an American Revolutionary War–era female spy through a treasure-hunt adventure in their hometown of Setauket, New York.

With codewords and secret signals perfected, best friends Rachel and Joon are ready to spend their summer practicing spycraft—especially if they can uncover secrets like the one Joon’s parents have been keeping, that his family is about to move out of town.

When eavesdropping leads them to a ring rumored to have belonged to Anna “Nancy” Smith Strong—according to local Long Island legend, the only female member of George Washington’s famed Culper Spy Ring—they think they’ve hit the jackpot. Then they discover Nancy left a coded message in the ring!

Decoding her message leads to another cryptic clue, and then another, and soon Rachel and Joon are racing to decipher a series of puzzles that must surely lead to hidden treasure! But can they solve the final mystery before Joon’s moving day? And just what did the centuries-old spy hide away—and why? 

Sarah Beth Durst’s skillful blend of Revolutionary War history and suspenseful contemporary storytelling will keep readers guessing to the last satisfying page.

“Rachel and Joon are delightfully feisty and drily humorous in their perceptions of adults (never underestimate kids!) as they use intelligence and persistence to bring to light an underrecognized woman from history. Compelling and fascinating.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Durst has a terrific sense of humor and nimbly weaves historical facts and intriguing gems that paint a vivid picture of the time. More than a mystery, this is a real novel of summer—of bike rides and bonds that run deep, about the fear of loss and the expectations of the future. A lively, magical adventure story.” - Times Beacon Record