Rebel Spy by Veronica Rossi (review)

After a ship wrecks near the coast of her home in Grand Bahama Island in 1776, fifteen-year-old Frannie escapes her lecherous stepfather by pretending to be one of the boat’s passengers, taking on the identity of Miss Emmeline Coates, a wealthy socialite traveling to the American colonies, when a British rescue crew arrives. During the journey to New York, Frannie falls for Asa, an American rebel, but before they reach harbor, their ship is boarded by the Royal Navy and Asa is pressed into labor. Three years later and Frannie is fully ensconced in New York’s high society of Loyalists, but she becomes horrified by the British mistreatment of American prisoners; inspired by her memories of Asa and already well versed in the art of deception, she decides to act as a spy for a group directly tied to George Washington. Rossi pulls on the true story of “355,” a female spy who worked in the Culper Spy Ring of New York City, and she weaves rich historical detail into a thrilling tale of deception, intrigue, and romance. Frannie is authentically complex, torn over her feelings for Asa (whom she meets again in New York) and her comfortable life as a lady, and struggling to make a difference in a situation in which she feels largely powerless. The plot takes a few surprising twists and Rossi wisely holds back on a completely happy ending for Frannie; though not quite as tragic, there’s a touch of Code Name Verity (BCCB 6/12) here, and fans of that World War II drama will find appeal in this tale of espionage in the Revolutionary War. An author’s note provides further information on 355.