The Traitors' Gate    by Avi Order:  USA  Can Atheneum, 2007 (2007) Hardcover     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson The Traitors' Gate is a spy story (with a strong Dickensian flavor) set in 19th century London and starring fourteen-year-old John Huffam. John's father works as a clerk in the Naval Ordinance Office, and the story opens with a mysterious meeting and hints of a traitor in that office, a clerk selling plans for a powerful new weapon to the highest foreign bidder. Soon afterwards, the elder Huffam is arrested for debt (owed to Finnegan O'Doul) and he and his family moved to a sponging house, the Halfmoon Inn, run by the parish bailiff. Everyone - from his father and mother to their Irish housekeeper Brigit and the sponging house owner - tells fourteen-year-old John that he's the family's only hope (the parents and elder sister all seem remarkably inept) to get out of this situation. His father sends John to plead with a rich elderly relative, Lady Euphemia, to pay the debt. He finds himself followed by an engaging orphan, Sary the Sneak, whose own father has been transported to a penal colony in Australia, and who takes jobs for all and sundry, saving her money in order to help her father or join him overseas. As John and Sary investigate, a variety of suspects emerge - including Irish, French and Russian spies - as do Scotland Yard inspectors working the case. John learns that his father has frequently lied to him and that few can be trusted. He takes seriously an Admiralty clerk's advice: 'The more a sailor knows about his captain, the more he'll know how he'll weather the gales' - and there's stormy weather ahead. Enjoy The Traitors' Gate for its well developed historical setting - the descriptions enhanced by black and white drawings scattered throughout - and an absorbing mystery with a surprise ending. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Teens books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews