Recruited by the FBI (Book 1)
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Recruited by the FBI: Book 1 by Rob Baddorf is a “Christian Spy Action-Adventure” book geared towards children ages 10-16. While marketed ages 10-16, I would put it more on the side of ages 12+ given the age of the characters themselves is high school age - approximately 14 -15.
The chapters are short, typically two to three pages, and the action is fast paced. Readers are quickly immersed in the third person narrative primarily focused on Robin, one of the main characters. Robin’s father worked for the FBI when he was alive and post his death, Robin was approached by the FBI and began working a small operation with other teenagers. Baddorf is not writing the next great classic novel, but he is meeting a market need for middle-grade/young adult fiction that is clean and engaging. While readers must certainly suspend reality for much of the novel, the short chapters, engaging characters, and quick plot development will certainly make this novel a hit for more reluctant readers and boys who want a story that focuses more on action.
The story opens with Robin and his friends, Chad and Anika, breaking into First Union Bank to find a hidden ledger by financier Marlin Ledger. The FBI needs evidence of Ledger’s dealings in order to prosecute him. Once inside the action quickly develops as they sneak to find Ledger’s office and to look for the hidden accounting book. Unfortunately, what they find is a decoy and the team realizes there are gaps in their abilities.
Anika befriends a new girl at school and quickly learns of her prowess with computers and technology. The only problem is convincing Robin to allow her to join the team. Robin feels immense pressure and responsibility as the leader of the group, and his father’s death is a shadow that is haunting him. Nevertheless, Isabella is quickly added to the group with conditions and the team is set to return to First Union Bank to find the actual accounting book in order for the FBI to have the evidence they need. However, security is tighter now that the building has already been broken into once. And of course, there are twists and turns as not everything goes according to plan.
If you have readers who like action and spy stories, this one is sure to entice. While not full of theologically deep concepts, there are scriptural connections and elements presented in the book as Robin contemplates greed and his ability to trust the Lord after the death of his father. There are times in which the spirit is speaking to him, and he must discern how to truly move forward. Does he trust Jesus or does he not?
Chad is the comic relief in the story that readers are sure to enjoy. There is typical teenage bantering in the story and some of the budding relationship/ awkwardness between male and female relationships. While there is not outright dating or crushes in the story, Robin finds Isabella beautiful and enchanting. Nothing really develops beyond those mentions. Isabella’s parents are divorced and her father is not in her life at all. The story ends with the revelation to readers that Marlin Ledger is Isabella’s father who she hasn’t seen in years.
Noteworthy Quotes/Points:
“Robin shouldn’t have been surprised. Death isn’t exactly a new concept. After all, nobody lives forever. But somehow, at fourteen, Robin had never really thought about that. He didn’t think his family routines, like breakfast for example, would ever change. Somehow, he believed that “normal” would go on forever” (1).
The security detail for Marlin Ledger had AK-47s that were pointed and shot at the teenagers a few times over the course of the story.
“And maybe most of all, Robin didn’t want to give up something else. His anger. He liked it. At least his anger kept him company. Even if it was cold company” (90).
“‘The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.’
Robin thought about those words. The first thing that came to mind was Mr. Ledger. [...] But then Robin wondered about something else. Was he himself greedy?” (115).
“Oh crap” appears once on page 249.
Overall, not the greatest book with deep themes and symbolism or developed complex characters, but it has a decent storyline with compelling enough characters and a quick plot that will certainly appeal to a variety of teen readers. With a limited selection of great teen fiction that at least attempts to convey Biblical themes and truth, this novel is worth a read and an addition to a clean reading list. Additionally, engaging clean stories for reluctant or struggling readers is hard to come by, this is a definite read that will appeal to children who struggle.
Operation Diamond Fall (Book 2)
Operation Diamond Fall by Rob Baddorf is book two in A Sneaky Inc. Spy Adventure series. Picking up where book one leaves off, Robin, Anika, Chad, and Isabella are on a new mission; however, they take it much further than the FBI intended. Marlin Ledger, the antagonist, is up to a new scheme. Robin and his crew are determined to not only find out what it is, as the FBI instructed, but to stop him. Unfortunately, lies within the group and personal fears almost doom the group from the onset.
The story opens with Chad and Robin climbing a large crane in order to move it and to sneak onto the roof of the art museum owned by Ledger. Ledger is hosting a spontaneous gala that costs tens of thousands of dollars to attend with a special item up for auction - an almost priceless diamond. Almost since millions of dollars are bid on it. In their sleuthing, the team discovers the diamond and Ledger’s plan to auction it off. In an attempt to stop him, they steal it; however, leaving with such an item proves more difficult than they had expected and planned for. As a result, Robin and Chad are captured. It is from this incident that they realize there is more going on than it seemed at first glance. Now, they must figure a way out, reconvene with the group, and figure out a way to save everyone involved. In the end, they survive, but Ledger’s plan has not been thwarted.
Almost the entirety of this particular installment of the narrative takes place in one night. It is fast paced, chapters not more than three to four pages, and littered with suspense to keep readers hooked and moving through the story quickly. The structure of the novel makes it a great choice for more reluctant readers. However, it will keep any reader on their toes to see what happens next.
Parents will be happy to know that this book is free of profanity or any unsavory details. Robin clearly has a crush on Isabella, but nothing develops and there are only mentions of her being beautiful and possibly taking her on a date. The characters are fourteen, for a little more context. There are several Biblical tie-ins as Robin has to face his own personal struggle throughout about the lies he has told the team. He seeks to justify himself, but in the end he confesses and seeks forgiveness from everyone involved. Anika is trying to pray for guidance and help, but as someone seeking and just beginning to learn about God and Christianity, she is unsure of herself. Isabella is hesitant and standoffish about God and not caring to know or involve herself too much within the text. Chad continues to be the comedic relief in the story, but he seems to have a firm faith like Robin.
Overall, if you have a reader who likes adventure with a twinge of mystery, then consider adding book one and two of this series to their reading list.
Operation Meteor (Book 3)
Operation Meteor by Rob Baddorf is book three in A Sneaky Inc. Spy Adventure series. Similar to book two, book three opens right at the beginning of a new operation as the main characters are still seeking to stop Marlin Ledger and his plans to destroy the world with a nuclear weapon. Readers may or may not remember that Marlin is Isabelle’s father. As the story opens, Isabelle and Robin are climbing the outside of a building to get a fingerprint of Marlin’s off a window handle in his office - much surveillance preceded this activity. Meanwhile, Anika and Chad are attempting to distract Marlin’s mercenaries in the lower part of the building.
The characters ultimately succeed in their opening operation, but in the midst of it Isabelle challenges Robin in his faith and then expresses a desire to become a Christian. Robin is flustered by the moment due to the heights and regrets how he handled the moment. Using the fingerprint, the characters get a 3D rendering of Marlin’s thumb, which allows them access to the phone they retrieved in book two. Before long, the characters are off on the next mission to stop Marlin from obtaining a billion dollar insurance check, but their plans to retrieve it first do not go as planned. The characters end up having to do a prisoner exchange with Marlin that also does not end as they expected. As tension rises and doom is eminent, the characters make one last attempt to stop Marlin. However, Marlin has set a trap for them and they all end up in an airplane with an armed nuclear weapon.
As a spoiler, everything ends well and Marlin ends up in prison with the final scene of Isabelle visiting her father in prison to share with him about Jesus hoping he will also repent and receive salvation.
Noteworthy Quotes/ Mentions:
“What about people who smuggle Bibles? If they sneak them into a country that says it’s illegal, then isn’t that wrong?” (9). This is just one of the tough questions Isabelle is asking Robin in the opening of the story as they climb a building.
Chapter 11 mentions Ledger’s belief in what he is doing, and how he has made it a God to himself.
In Chapter 13, Anika is running away from mercenaries and also questioning where God is in all of what is happening to her.
In Chapter 16, Isabelle has a conversation with her mother about God and her father’s beliefs that have pulled him toward evil. Isabelle’s mother claims that Marlin would stay up late in the night talking to voices he heard.
When faced with tough situations, the characters are turning to God in prayer for strength and provision.
When confronting Ledger near the end of the novel he states more clearly what he is doing and why. “‘This is the great reset. A chance to cleanse the wicked from the earth. An opportunity for mankind to begin again!’” (243).
There is still a bit of a budding interest between Robin and Isabelle. Nothing graphic, unsavory, or unbecoming. There is a mention towards the end where Robin wonders if Isabelle is going to call him her boyfriend, but Robin totally misjudged the moment and Isabelle was seeking to communicate with her father about Jesus Christ.
While the first two novels did have aspects of faith tied in, those instances involved more so Robin than the others. In the third book, readers will encounter more of the questions, prayers, and faith filled aspects regarding more of the other characters. Much like the first two books, the chapters are short - only two to four pages - and the tension and suspense is kept high. This is a fast paced story that your readers will fly through.
Operation Deep Black (Book 4)
Operation Deep Black by Rob Baddorf is book four in A Sneaky Inc. Spy Adventure Series. It has been about a year, Marlin Ledger is in prison, and the main characters are on a new mission that causes them to come face to face with young operatives working with the CIA. The story opens with Robin climbing a cell tower, Anika and Chad inside a ritzy hotel, and Isabella overseeing mission operations from the team’s mobile command center - a food truck. Unfortunately, Robin is not alone at the top of the cell tower as he tries to get ahold of the skimming device, Anika and Chad likewise encounter another who is telling them to run before a bomb explodes. While they all survive the initial events in the opening scene of the book, the characters are left with more questions than answers.
Choosing to focus on what they can, Isabella runs a program based on the little evidence they were able to obtain from the opening mission. What they find leads them to a night time break-in at a lab in which they encounter the young people from their first mission. What they further uncover leads them to the realization that the CIA and the FBI are both working on the same set of clues and mission details. Choosing to work together, they attempt to stop a bomb, but they end up out manned and out gunned and must escape with their lives.
Damien Crowe is behind the bomb and EMP in which he plans to destroy an AI program he helped develop. Damien is trying to blow the whistle of how dangerous this Spark AI program is by claiming it could turn on man. In a broadcast of his message he states that with AI humanity has crossed a line that they cannot uncross. “‘Stop the advancement of Spark AI now!’ Damien continued [...]. You don’t understand what this kind of software is capable of. Or how it is advancing on its own. By leaps and bounds. An even greater price will come due upon humans if Spark is not deactivated now–before it enslaves us all!’” (195).
From there, the team realizes that he is going after the owner of the company he worked for. Barna is undergoing gallbladder surgery. The team must now stop Damien before the EMP blows out the power in the hospital. Mia and Chad work to find a generator in the event that the worst happens, and it does. A nearby building almost collapses into the hospital, and Robin realizes God’s provision has been with him each step of the way despite his questioning.
Baddorf does a great job continuing to develop the faith components of the novel as many of the main characters are growing in their faith and reliance on God in the trials they face. Readers see this from Robin who is further in his walk and with Isabella who is a younger Christian. It is great to have stories where the characters are praying and processing their experiences based on their relationship and need for God.
Noteworthy Quotes/Mentions:
In chapter 18, readers will see Isabella struggling with assurance of her faith. She mentions wondering if God is no longer speaking to her and does He still love her? “Clearly, Isabella had loads more work to do–Just to make things right between her and God!” (89). All believers go through the struggle of assurance of their faith. I do wish Baddorf had this sort of resolution in book four, but hopefully in book five that will come more full circle.
There are some odd texts going on between the group, and it is causing feelings to be hurt, questioned, anger to develop and confusion to abound. Readers will find out at the end that it is a result of the AI Spark. Nevertheless, Chad makes a joke that if Isabella needs CPR that Robin would be willing to do it. This causes embarrassment for Robin and mentions wanting to punch Chad for the comment (90-91).
Robin gets tasered in the chest by one of the CIA operatives before they realize what is going on. It is a very humorous scene with Chad and Robin. Readers will enjoy the banter.
Robin questions where God is in all that he is facing, but he also realizes that he is often trying to go his own way and not listen to those around him. He meets with his pastor after the failed encounter with Damien Crowe. His pastor tells him, “Other promises take even longer, you know. The book of Hebrews talks about some who were faithful to God but who died without receiving the things He promised. It says they had to see those things from afar.” Pastor Peter paused. “Are you prepared to wait that long?” (185).
As with the other installments in this series, readers will have to suspend some reality and belief of what is actually capable, but they will, nevertheless, be captivated by the fast paced nature of the story, the mystery, and the seeds of intrigue that lead into book five.
