Book Review of Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Mystery, international espionage, chess competition, friendship, coming of age, loyalty.
In the third installment of the Simone LaFray series, S.P. O’Farrell delivers a globe-trotting, chess-themed nail-biter that elevates this middle-grade spy series to new heights.
Thirteen-year-old junior spy Simone LaFray faces her most challenging mission yet as she navigates international chess competitions, mysterious organizations, and questions of loyalty that will test her developing skills as both a spy and a young woman coming of age. The story opens with Simone discovering a mysterious painting, Blue No. 2, in her family’s patisserie—the same painting stolen by the notorious Red Fox in the first book. When the painting vanishes before she can show her family, Simone is left questioning her own perceptions.
Five months later, she’s assigned a mission by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: to compete in the Junior World Chess Championship in Mumbai, where she must befriend Reyansh Balakrishnan, the reigning chess champion known as “The Bishop of Mumbai,” and discover how to operate a powerful device called the OmniKey. With fellow junior agent Harper Faust as her partner, Simone travels from Paris to Rome to Mumbai, where the high-stakes chess tournament becomes the perfect pressure cooker for international intrigue. With chess as both a plot device and metaphor, each strategic move on the board mirrors the careful calculations Simone must make in her mission.
Young readers who enjoy spy stories, chess, international adventures, or strong female protagonists will find much to love in this intricately plotted mystery. As we’ve come to expect from O’Farrell, Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai presents high stakes, complex moral questions, and sophisticated character development. While it maintains the charm and accessibility of middle-grade fiction, it doesn’t shy away from challenging its readers with questions about loyalty, truth, and standing up for what’s right even when institutions fail.
O’Farrell balances Simone’s growth as a spy with her ordinary teenage concerns—her internal struggles with confidence, belonging, and finding her place in the chess and spy worlds make her victories all the more satisfying. At the same time, her dynamic relationships with best friend “the V,” fellow agent Harper, and her growing family (including baby brother Hugo) ground her adventures in relatable emotional territory.
The introduction of Reyansh Balakrishnan as a complex antagonist/ally proves particularly effective. Far from a one-dimensional villain, the Bishop is portrayed with a depth that challenges Simone’s—and the reader’s—assumptions about who can be trusted. The revelation of complex loyalties and unexpected allegiances adds layers to the international intrigue.
Mumbai comes alive under O’Farrell’s descriptive prose. From the bustling streets and chaotic traffic to the vibrant colors of the Holi celebration and the labyrinthine paths of the Dharavi slums. The setting becomes a character in its own right as the author skillfully contrasts the opulence of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel with the resourcefulness and artistry found in Dharavi, creating a rich backdrop for this international adventure. The carefully crafted cracker of an ending feels both satisfying as a conclusion to this particular adventure and tantalizingly open-ended for future installments.
Simone LaFray and the Bishop of Mumbai stands well on its own, but readers will benefit from starting with the first two installments to fully appreciate Simone’s growth and the expanding world O’Farrell has created. Highly recommended for ages 9-14, particularly appealing to young readers who enjoy girl detectives, international settings, and strategic puzzles.
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About the Author
S.P. O’Farrell is the award-winning author of the Simone LaFray Mysteries. When he isn’t writing, he is championing special education, the performing arts, and numerous environmental initiatives. He lives in western Maryland with his wife and two sons.
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