This beautiful novel by Michael Frayn explores the adventures of two young friends during a wartime summer in rural England. Stephen Wheatley returns to the quiet sleepy cul-de-sac some fifty years later and reflects on the events which changed everything for him. He was the junior rank in a two man army which becomes embroiled in a story of second-world-war espionage. Keith Hayward his best and perhaps only friend is a posh only child whilst Stephen is the younger brother in a family he is embarrassed about. The spies mentioned in the title are German agents who are appearing around every corner of every street in the boys imaginations. Without telling us ...  Read the complete review

This is a heartwarming book for anyone of any age. The friendship these boys have between eachother is amazing. They seem to always find a way to cause some kind of trouble. They Turn Keiths Mother Into a mystery, and cause lots of problems.

This book really made me think about times like this, when the book was set. It is in the middle of World War Two in a small close where two friends set off on an adventure that definately changes their lives. Stephen is a small boy that is bullied at school and only finds rest with his friend Keith when they play games. However the game they are about to embark on certainly isn't at all what they expected... I really loved this and i studied it at school for a while. While at the start everything seems innocent and straight forward, as the novel unfolds a more twisted plot unravels. Believe me this book is worth reading and Michael Frayn really portrays the two boys ...  Read the complete review

Stephen and Keith are two young boys living in a cul de sac in England going about the usual things they do, when they suddenly decide to start a spy mission on Keith's mother. By following her every move they slowly start to discover things they never thought they would and through their childish games they somehow manage to ruin things for other people. Spies is a great book, with the narrator being the older Stephen looking back at his youth. It's a great tale of friendship between two boys, who although are from different social backgrounds, somehow manage to have a friendship, however that may turn out towards the end of the book. It's also ...  Read the complete review

Isn't it funny how kids often seem to grow into the names they're given? Maybe names shape personality to some extent. Every Simon I've ever met has been a cheeky sod, for example, and boxers called Tarquin are quite thin on the ground. Okay, there are always exceptions to the rule - like the 1995 Mastermind champion, who was called Kevin. And I suppose there may be someone out there who was bullied at school by a Cuthbert, but it doesn't seem very likely somehow, does it? Some names are posh, some are as common as muck, and some are a bit wimpy. Sad, but true. Which brings me to Keiths... If someone asks you to name a famous Keith, ...  Read the complete review