Best-selling author Avi has won numerous honors, including the Newbery Medal for Crispin: The Cross of Lead. In The Traitors' Gate, Avi spins a Dickensian tale of 19th-century London. Young John Huffam is having a disastrous time. His father has been jailed and John himself is being followed by Inspector Copperfield-just one of the many eccentric characters in this delightfully Victorian tale. "[This] is the novel I've always wanted to write. It was inspired by the true tale of young Charles Dickens ..."-Avi
Download and start listening now!
"This book was great! I am lacking in the scope of my mystery book knowledge (besides Nancy Drew. *Blush* That was a while ago!) so this was a book that I hoped I would enjoy. I wanted to give this book five stars but then I realized that I didn't like it as much as my other five star books such as Hunger Games and Lord of the Rings. There were two points in the book where I started slipping down the dangerous slope of Losing Interest, but right then when the reading was getting slow, up popped a change in the story, another suspect added, a twist in the plot. I was also able to appreciate this story because of all the references to Dickens and his David Copperfield! This story was really cool! I can't wait to read my next books by Avi:Midnight Magic and Murder at Midnight!"
— Farrah (4 out of 5 stars)
" Early victorian era mystery, consciously similar to Dickens "
— Kathyred, 2/10/2014" Excellent historical fiction, just like I've come to expect from Avi. "
— Kendra, 2/4/2014" It was pretty good. Lots of intrigue and stuff. "
— John, 2/1/2014" There is treachery abroad in the land of England...The question is who is the traitor? "
— Russamun82, 1/29/2014" This was an interesting book. I thought it good. My husband really liked it alot too. Avi is great at writing about kids that have to grow up fast because of what is happening in the world around them. "
— Ragan, 1/17/2014" A young adult novel, written in a Dickens fashion. I liked it, not sure if my 10 year old would. "
— Jody, 1/14/2014" I really didn't think this was that great. In theory, the plot should've been interesting and suspenseful, but it just wasn't. I suppose everyone has to have a book that isn't as good as the others. "
— Tori, 1/11/2014" Good book. Love Avi. fun look at victorian england. Yeah Charles Dickens "
— Leslie, 12/19/2013" Not quite as engaging as Charlotte Doyle, but an interesting and fun read about a child heroine during the era of the Tower of London. "
— Colleen, 12/10/2013" Wonderfully Dickensian. Slightly unsatisfying ending, but on the whole, a great read. "
— Deborah, 10/13/2013" This book held your interest the whole time. It was an interesting time period in England with a fun story. It is a book for youth but I found it a good read. I like this author. "
— Sharon, 10/10/2013" Set in 19th century England, this is one of Avi's more complicated plots. His father is in debtors prison and John Hoffman has to find the money to pay his debt, and becomes a hero to the crown in the process. "
— Vicky, 8/21/2013" A reasonably satisfying read, but not Avi's best effort. "
— Abby, 8/8/2013" Really well-written historical fiction. I love how he always writes from a boy's perspective and about England. Avi never fails to produce an enjoyable read. "
— Allison, 7/8/2013" A good one for young adults, especially to learn more about early London - very Dickensian. "
— Kristen, 4/11/2013" I didn't like it at all. Didn't get very far. "
— Nick&Ness, 4/1/2013" I enjoyed listening to this book with my husband and son. A great story about a kid who has to take matters into his own hands when his father is sent to debtor's prison in Old London. It is full of interesting characters and twists. A quick, escape book. "
— Meggen, 8/22/2012" this was kind of boring for me. Its a young reader. Set in Victorian England. A boy learns his father is trying to sell a military secret to pay off a gambeling dept. His family ends up in deptors prison and he has to unravel the mystery. "
— Stephanie, 2/9/2012" i found it confusing when i was young but i found it in my atic and i thought it was ok. not one of my top picks. "
— Betsy, 1/9/2012" this book is about learning about your past, and bringing the truth to the light "
— Juliette, 12/14/2011" The narrator of this book added immensely to how much I enjoyed the story. His ability to use his voice to add depth and personality to each character made the story so engaging. It is full of intrigue, suspense and underlying plots that kept me wondering what would happen next. A great read! "
— Melinda, 12/3/2011" I didn't enjoy this book. I thought that it moved too fast for me and was confusing at times. It might be great for a younger teen reader or older elementary school student who is reluctant to read or likes fast paced stories. "
— Kara, 11/16/2011" One of my other favorite Avi books. "
— Katelyn, 6/24/2011" This book held your interest the whole time. It was an interesting time period in England with a fun story. It is a book for youth but I found it a good read. I like this author. "
— Sharon, 4/9/2011" A young adult novel, written in a Dickens fashion. I liked it, not sure if my 10 year old would. "
— Jody, 3/11/2011" One of my other favorite Avi books. "
— Katelyn, 2/4/2011" This is a great history-mystery! If you are interested in Dickens, you will wile this book. It is classified as a young adult book, but adults will enjoy it, too. This is a well-written mystern with many surprises. "
— Brenda, 1/23/2011" I usually love period pieces set in the Victorian era, but this one was extremely flat. The plot was slow-moving, the characters were uninteresting, and the writing was mediocre. "
— Mary, 9/16/2010" A good one for young adults, especially to learn more about early London - very Dickensian. "
— Kristen, 1/5/2010" The narrator of this book added immensely to how much I enjoyed the story. His ability to use his voice to add depth and personality to each character made the story so engaging. It is full of intrigue, suspense and underlying plots that kept me wondering what would happen next. A great read! "
— Melinda, 12/19/2009" Not quite as engaging as Charlotte Doyle, but an interesting and fun read about a child heroine during the era of the Tower of London. "
— Colleen, 12/18/2009" very good even though i am a kid i sat through iliked it "
— Ben, 10/13/2009" Really well-written historical fiction. I love how he always writes from a boy's perspective and about England. Avi never fails to produce an enjoyable read. "
— Allison, 7/19/2009" A reasonably satisfying read, but not Avi's best effort. "
— Abby, 6/12/2009" If you like good mysteries, read this book!! "
— Ginny, 5/29/2009" It was pretty good. Lots of intrigue and stuff. "
— John, 5/12/2009Avi is the author of more than fifty books for children and young adults, including the 2003 Newbery Medal winner Crispin: The Cross of Lead. Along with his two Newbery Honors, he has won many other awards for his fiction. He lives with his family in Denver.
John Keating is an actor, voice talent, and AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. His numerous acting credits include Roundabout Theatre’s production of Juno and the Paycock and La Mama ETC’s production of Cat and the Moon, as well as various parts with the Irish Repertory Theater and the Irish Arts Center. He can also be seen in the HBO miniseries John Adams, starring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney.