"Stroud is a genius." —Rick Riordan The now notorious outlaws Scarlett and Browne are back in their second death-defying adventure—and this time it’s not just their own lives on the line. . . . Albert and Scarlett are a formidable pair. With his ability to read minds and her way with a weapon, no bank can keep them out and no jail can keep them in. But their notoriety may have spread a bit too far. Now old enemies from Scarlett’s past and a sinister new threat from Albert’s world are boxing them in—and holding their friends hostage. To win their freedom, the outlaws Scarlett and Browne are charged with pulling off an impossible mission. And the clock is ticking . . . Fans of Jonathan Stroud's The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne won't want to miss their next adventure. ★ "Stroud dishes up another headlong plot replete with cliffhangers, breathtaking feats, and all-too-narrow escapes. Rousing, swashbuckling fun. " — Kirkus Reviews , starred ★ “[A] fizzingly paced adventure. Full of action, outlaws, dystopian societies, and post-apocalyptic ghouls. To say the stakes are high is an understatement, but that is Stroud at his best. Both hilarious and suspenseful. " — The Horn Book Magazine , starred " Stroud outdoes himself in this second book, finding inventive ways to amp up the thrills as Scarlett and Albert tackle more dangerous heists and confront fearsome villains from their pasts. The author displays a cinematic eye for detail in thrilling action sequences . Stroud's writing crackles with wit . The extremely satisfying ending seems to promise yet another book in this marvelous series. " — The Buffalo News "Stroud’s inventive plotting and playful language make for a clever, suspenseful and fizzingly paced adventure." — Toronto Star "Humorous, nail-biting and rich in unexpected turns of phrase, this is beautifully constructed storytelling of the first order ." — Sunday Times " Witty and scary ." Financial Times, Best books of 2022: Young adult "[A] rowdy, rollicking, remarkable road trip ." — Daily Mail " Funny and gripping, it will be irresistible to anyone, child or adult, who loves action movies and steampunk." — New Statesman Jonathan Stroud is the author of two internationally bestselling series: the award-winning Bartimaeus Sequence, which has been published in thirty-six languages worldwide, and the critically acclaimed Lockwood & Co., which is currently being adapted by Netflix. His stand-alone titles include Heroes of the Valley, The Last Siege, The Leap, and Buried Fire. Jonathan lives near London with his wife and three children. 1 That evening, with the sun setting over the ash fields and the curfew bells ringing out above the cities of the plains, three murderers gathered at a crossroads. They wasted no words in greeting. The youngest climbed the broken tower to survey the land; the oldest took up a position of concealment in the ruins beyond the ditch. The third, the bandit captain, strolled to a concrete slab that lay amid the sagebrush and black foxgloves beside the road. He lit his pipe and sat at ease, waiting for travelers to come to them. The crossroads was a good place for an ambush, which was why the bandits had selected it. The tumbled walls of the old watchhouse provided cover, while the surviving tower gave a clear view in all directions. They were close enough to the towns to guarantee foot traffic, and far enough away for the militia not to bother them while they chatted with their prisoners. Also, there was a ravine nearby where the bodies could be tipped. The bandit captain enjoyed his work, and waiting was part of the pleasure. He felt like a fisherman on a riverbank, scanning the surface of the water, knowing that sleek fat trout were close at hand. He sat with his leather coat open, one booted leg extended, sucking on his pipe. Through half-closed eyes he watched the fragrant smoke twirl skyward. Yes, patience was the key. . . . Presently the fish would come. Sure enough, soon a low whistle sounded from Lucas on the tower. The captain glanced up toward the parapet and noted the direction of the boy’s outstretched arm. From the east, then: the Corby road. Traders, probably, hurrying to reach Warwick before nightfall. The captain rubbed his bearded chin and glanced at the pistol in his belt. From Corby might come spices, furs, black tektite jewels . . . A Corby haul was rarely disappointing. How would they be traveling? On foot? In a motor vehicle? He could not hear an engine. He got to his feet unhurriedly, took his pipe from his mouth, and set it on the slab to await his return. Stepping through the sagebrush, he stood ready at the side of the road. The ash fields were soft and sugary in the evening light. Long shadows, sharp as coffin nails, stretched from the pines behind the ruins. To the east, the shadow of the tower was a slash across the red-brown earth. And now two bicycles came into sight, making for the cro
