Harmless - (Spineless) by Samantha San Miguel (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Frankie, Lulu, and Algie embark on a river cruise where they encounter a mysterious creature, possibly the fabled river monster, Sabrina, and must decide whether to save it together or go their separate ways, all while facing challenges from their nemesis, Professor Champion"--

Book Synopsis

Invasive species, mysterious creatures, and a high-stakes rescue on Gilded Age Florida's inner waterways bring this stunning trilogy to an explosive conclusion!

Frankie Davenport; her sister, Lulu; and their best friend, Algie Emsworth, are eager for their next adventure. When they see an ad in the local paper for a river cruise and hear rumors of a monster in that very same river, they know that this is just the trip for them.

During an outing, the trio stumble upon a strange creature in distress. Could this be Sabrina, the fabled river monster? When an unidentifiable aquatic corpse is discovered, Professor Champion, Frankie's nemesis, is called in to investigate. Frankie, Lulu, and Algie are at odds with one another over how to save Sabrina, and Frankie must decide if she should keep doing things her way or trust her friends and family to save Sabrina.

Samantha San Miguel's Harmless is an exciting adventure brought to vivid life. This page-turning novel is a thrilling conclusion to the Spineless trilogy that's perfect for fans of Beyond the Bright Sea and Serafina and the Black Cloak.

Review Quotes

Praise for Harmless

"Perfect for readers who love a mix of the natural world and bold adventure. Add this to your collection to expand the palate of your nature fans."
--School Library Journal

Praise for Fathomless

"The plot is original and surprising, with themes about belief in oneself and sibling rivalry that stay true to the age of the audience; the story also incorporates well-presented ideas about morality, ethics, family, and the frailties of adults. . . . A clever plot, taut writing, and sophisticated emotional themes bring a remarkable depth to this sequel."
--Kirkus, Starred Review

Praise for Spineless

"San Miguel concocts a comical and exciting tale that leads to a wild, suspenseful, storm-tossed climax while weaving in thoughtful ruminations on the necessity of giving science, people, and nature their just dues, too."
--Booklist, Starred Review

"This exceptionally well-written story gives a nod to the era's fascination with creepy hauntings and dastardly secrets as it expertly transports readers into the atmosphere of 19th-century Florida, uniting well-drawn, nuanced characters with imaginative and tension-building plot twists. . . . Pure storytelling at its best."
--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

"Algie has a winsome urgency that makes him likable. . . . His relationships with his family and new friends are realistic and evolve as Algie, Frankie, and Lulu face dangerous adults. In the life-threatening denouement, Algie displays a nuanced empathy for others."

--School Library Journal

"Expertly combines an intricate adventure plot with an authentic coming-of-age story."--Kirkus

"Full of Agatha Christie-esque closed spaces
to incite arguments and plot twists, family dramas complete with secrets to unfold, and a trio of troublesome tweens, San Miguel's world proves irresistible."--Booklist

About the Author

Samantha San Miguel grew up on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Living sandwiched between ocean and estuary gave her a wholehearted respect for wildlife, especially the kind that can eat you. She's spent countless hours scanning for sea monsters, but the only ones she's seen so far have been in her imagination. Samantha dreams of one day seeing with her own eyes the landscapes from her abuelito's stories of Cuba. She can be found online at samanthasanmiguel.com.