
When Mr. Socrates, a member of the shadowy Permanent Association, hears of a hunchbacked infant with the ability to transform his appearance, he decides to take him in. Naming him Modo, he raises the boy in isolation, training him to become a secret agent.
When Modo turns fourteen, his education is complete. He must first survive in London on his own, then, with the help of beautiful Octavia, he uncovers a sinister plot being carried out in the very sewers beneath London.
Modo's latest mission, to uncover the underwater mystery behind the sinking of several ships, seems impossible. There are rumours of a sea monster or something even more nefarious. An astounding secret in the depths of the ocean.

Junior Library Guild Selection
Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book of the Year: honour book
Canadian Library Association Children's Book of the Year: nomination
"A thrilling tale of an unusual and talented young man."Publisher's Weekly
"A full-steam-ahead spy thriller, complete with derring-do, a dastardly villain, and a suitably complex plot."Quill & Quire starred review
In Canada: Chapters.ca,
Amazon.ca,
McNally Robinson
In the United States: Amazon.com,
Barnes & Noble,
Borders,
Indie Bound
In Australia and New Zealand: Booktopia,
Seekbooks,
Dymocks
In France: Amazon.fr,
The audiobook: iTunes,
Audible
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