Spider Games by Brian Falkner

Nick, a 14-year-old, travels to Berlin with his grandfather to scatter his grandmother's ashes. But when his grandfather disappears, Nick uncovers a shocking truth - the quiet old man was a spy. As long-buried secrets begin to surface, Nick finds himself hunted through the streets of Berlin, unsure of who to trust. 

Following on from the Katipo Joe series, author Brian Falkner takes readers deep into the heart of Berlin, on the cusp of the new millennium. Falkner draws on real history - from wartime espionage to Cold War politics - to craft an action-packed thriller that will have readers hooked from the very first page.

Falkner wrote the book in the German city, and his time there has added to the tone and authenticity. The streets, monuments and culture come alive within the pages. Falkner also includes more information about the world of Spider Games on his website, allowing readers to explore historical notes about elements he includes in the story.

As a main character, Nick appears to be absolutely the wrong person to be caught in a deadly spy game. He is nervous, timid and socially awkward. But the character is authentic and believable, due to Falkner modelling the character on himself as a teenager. Nick's actions will help readers believe in themselves and appreciate their uniqueness. 

Nick's only ally Rejhana is a refugee with secrets of her own. She and Nick have great chemistry and make a great team. At times, I wanted to sidestep further into her story, and I can see another spinoff based on her life.

Spider Games combines authentic suspense with emotional depth to create a fast-paced page turner. 

Reviewer: Rebekah Lyell

Bateman Books