Sarah Beth Durst

Spy Ring

ISBN: 978-0063323452

Spy Ring

a middle grade novel
by Sarah Beth Durst
available now from HarperCollins / Clarion Books


"Compelling and fascinating; brings history to life." -- Kirkus (Starred Review)

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.

Read the first chapter
Read reviews

Download hi-res cover art by Brandon Dorman.

Culper Spy Day 2024

Join me on Saturday, September 7th for Culper Spy Day, the 10th annual celebration of George Washington's Culper Spy Ring. I'll be signing copies of Spy Ring at the Three Village Historical Society (93 N Country Road, East Setauket, NY).

Visit the Three Village Historical Society website for more information.

Hope to see you there!


Photo Tour of the Locations in Spy Ring

Even though this book is a work of fiction, the historical figures and events described are absolutely real. And Setauket itself is a real place! Click here for a photo tour of all the locations that Rachel and Joon visit in Spy Ring.

Welcome to Culper Country!


Arrange a School Visit!

Sarah is available for school visits (both in-person and virtual).

For fourth and fifth graders, she offers a special Spy-Ring-focused presentation on the role of George Washington's Culper Spy Ring in the American Revolutionary War, the importance of exploring the history that surrounds you, and how she wove together fact and fiction to write Spy Ring.

If you'd like Sarah to visit your school, please contact her at sarah@sarahbethdurst.com.

Also available as an audiobook:

Spy Ring

Spy Ring
Audio Edition

from HarperAudio
written by Sarah Beth Durst
narrated by Casey Holloway
available as an Audible edition or Audio CD

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