PLAYER’S RUSE

Over a year after their last adventure (Rogue’s Home, 2008), Sir Michael, the last knight, and his worldly-wise sidekick, Fisk, are dragged into a new imbroglio when Michael’s lovelorn cousin, Rosamund, appears at their boarding house seeking help. After traveling across the country, they join a troupe of traveling actors and become caught up in the search to capture a gang of ship-wreckers. The story unfolds in alternating chapters that reveal the deepening friendship of the duo and yield rich characterization from different perspectives. The writing sparkles with wit: Laugh-out-loud episodes, puns and groaners are sprinkled through the text. Suspense drives the plot, which develops quickly and climaxes in a literal cliffhanger. Fans of the first two books will welcome this installment with enthusiasm. Readers new to the series will appreciate the integration of past information and read on. Michael and Fisk are rapidly approaching adulthood—let’s hope for a few more adventures before they get there. (Fantasy. YA)