I cannot wait to share the next installment of Kensy and Max with readers! There’s so much action and adventure going on in this story – and it’s mostly set in the wilds of New Zealand. There’s a huge online launch happening to celebrate the book on Sunday 15 May at 1pm Australian Eastern Daylight time. To register, send me an email jacqueline@jacquelineharvey.com.au with the subject line Kensy and Max Chasing Danger ZOOM launch and I will send you the link on Friday 6 May. There will be prizes on the day and lots of Kensy and Max superspy fun! In the meantime enjoy the blurb below.
BLURB
What do you do when ghosts rise from the past? When they reveal long-buried secrets that could turn your world upside down?
When an earthquake causes a breach at a super-secret Pharos prison, Kensy and Max must join an urgent assignment to Queenstown, New Zealand. Time is of the essence – the escaped prisoners are two highly dangerous men out for revenge against both Pharos and the Spencer family.
The twins head into the wilderness in pursuit. But the mountains are dangerous, and instability brought on by the earthquake is only making things worse. Meanwhile, strange things are happening back in London as one Pharos agent is attacked and another disappears. It will take all of Kensy and Max’s hard-earned skills to come out of this mission alive – but what will be waiting for them when they do?
Sophia
I cannot wait until I can read this book. 🙂 🙂
The Secret Bookworm
It already came out. I am hoping for book ten son though.
Jacqueline Harvey
It’s coming very soon – 4 May! Hope yuou enjoy it 🙂
Sophia
I am so excited to read this book.:) 🙂
Annabel
IM SO EXCITEDDDD!! Can’t wait.
Legitimately screaming
Isabellecatolic.edu.au
WOW!!
Ella
I’m counting the days until it comes out!
PIper
omg this book sounds so good! i have every kensy and max book so far and will be stalking the shops once this comes out!
Anika
I’m so excited too! Kensy & Max is one of my favourite book series!
Jacqueline Harvey
Thank you 🙂
Alice Miranda Highton Smith Kennington Jones
i LIVE in New Zealand. SO excited
Jacqueline Harvey
I love the setting for Chasing Danger – it’s so atmospheric 🙂
Ella B
Wow. Just wow. I’m cannot express in words how great this book is. I love the whole entire Kensy and Max series and the latest book is even more amazing. I love the relationship growth between Cordelia and Anna, and how Kensy and Max start having some issues with each other but by the end of the book are closer than ever.
And definitely hwo the danger is increasing for the twins. No spoilers but I always had an off felling abt that person 😉 (at the end of the book)
Thank you Jacqueline Harvey for this great series that I will treasure forever no matter how old I get. It’s the best spy series I’ve ever read.
I can’t wait for book 10!
– Ella B
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Ella – your words mean a lot to me and I apologise that I’ve been absolutely pathetic on the blog this year! I’m now about 35,000 words into the 10th Kensy and Max – lots of exciting things happening.
Sarah
Hey Jacqueline just wanted to say that I love the Kensy and Max series and can’t wait for number 10. I just wanted to know if you have a rough estimate as to when number 10 will be released.
Jacqueline Harvey
3 May 2023! I’m currently in the final stages of editing but I still need a code!!
Eliana
That is the same for me. I continue to listen to all the Kensy and Max audiobooks and know all of them off by heart.
Alisa
when does it come out?
Ella
It did ages ago
avi
actually, it came out on may 15 which is when alisa asked, i wouldn’t quite say that was “ages” ago.
Julie Yang
I hope it comes out quickly because I am excited
Julie Yang
I hope it comes out quickly
Kids
can’t wait to read it
Boyd
I am very excited to read it I recon that Fitz is a behind the attacks and I think that Huxley Williams is the one in charge and Mim is being blackmailed to cover the work of Shugs also I think that Cameron lu is in contact with the Pharos moles and giving information to Hwang. The Kensy and Max books great because you never know what will happen next. Keep writing more great books.
From Boyd a 15 year old from New Zealand.
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Boyd! Love your ideas. I’m working on Book 10 at the moment and hopefully there will be a few surprises.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Anika
When will this book be released in libraries and schools. I love reading and hope to devour this book soon!!!
Jacqueline Harvey
So sorry it has taken me forever to reply to you Anika. I imagine this book should be in most libraries by now.
Mia
I can’t wait to read kensy and max sounds so exciting
Jacqueline Harvey
Hope you get to read it soon Mia :).
Mollie
Dear Jacqueline,
Wow! What an inspiration! I knew, since I opened up Alice-Miranda In Paris four years ago, that your stories would be good. And nothing much has changed since. I’m proud to say that I’ve read all of the Alice-Miranda, Clementine Rose and Kensy & Max books since then, and I never get tired of them. I reckon I’ve read all of the Alice-Miranda books I own around four times each — books 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20, and the ones I don’t at least twice (probably more like three times). I reckon I’ve read most of the Kensy & Max books either twice or three times, aside from eight and nine, because I didn’t finish reading them for the first time too long ago. Right now I’m in the middle of another Alice-Miranda phase. After I read Kensy & Max: Chasing Danger, I had a sudden longing for Alice-Miranda. So last weekend I read Alice-Miranda In New York, Alice-Miranda Keeps The Beat and during the week finished Alice-Miranda In The Outback. This morning I finished rereading Alice-Miranda In Egypt and this afternoon Alice-Miranda At School. Now I’m up to Alice-Miranda On Holiday.
Jacqueline, within your stories are layers of characters with huge personalities. From the baddies and Alice-Miranda’s dearest friends, they all boast a different character full of your heart and imagination. They must feel like a piece of you. Each one is there to make us laugh or gasp, or something in between, and they always add to the story. Your ideas are so heartfelt and well thought out, and you’ve written so many books! Do you think you’ll ever stop? I hope not, because it would be more than just your own loss!
Do you think you’ll write any more series? I have to agree that, after a while, having too many books in a series can be a bad thing. How many books do you think you’ll write about Kensy & Max, Alice-Miranda and Willa and Woof?
About the Willa and Woof series, what are they about? Are they suitable for readers who like Alice-Miranda? Or do you think that avid eleven-year-old readers like me would find them too young?
Jacqueline, where do you get your ideas from? You’ve written fifteen Clementine Rose books, twenty Alice-Miranda books, nine Kensy & Max books and a couple of other books, as well as starting your new Willa and Woof series. Where do you start and how do you develop your characters? And how did you come up with new series like Alice-Miranda and all of the characters within?
The thing I love about Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones is that she’s one of a kind. No one will ever have her name, or have her exact personality and certainly not as many adventures as she has. How did you decide on Alice-Miranda’s name? It’s very unusual. And she doesn’t have a middle name, does she? Names are so important; they really add to the story. How do you come up with them all? I’ve noticed that there are some double-up names, like Riley Moreton and Riley Morton in the Kensy & Max books, and Ed, as in the brother of Hugh, and Ed as in Kensy and Max’s father. And aren’t there two Lawrences too? Are the double-up names intentional? Do you keep track of them so that you don’t accidentally use them again for someone else?
Jacqueline, the way you write is nothing short of a wonder. The little things you add to create humorous and romantic scenes that make us giggle, the words you select and the plots you concoct. I doubt that anyone will ever compare your writing. I hope that I can be half as good an author as you when I’m older.
Which do you think is your favourite book cover from each series? Anne Yi does a sterling job of perfecting the characters so that they really fit into the scene they’re in. I have to say, Alice-Miranda in Egypt has one of the most adorable covers (but as do the rest of the books!). I also love the Kensy & Max covers because they are showcasing the twins right in the middle of the action! Clementine Rose is the sweetest little girl too, isn’t she? (Well, other than Alice-Miranda, of course!). I reread Clementine Rose and the Best News Yet the other day. It was a wonderful end to the series (It is the end, isn’t it?). Please don’t stop writing about Alice-Miranda, though, because that would break my heart. I love that you’re working on new series, but I will always love Alice-Miranda and her adventures just that little bit more.
While I’m on the topic, have you thought about what you might write next about Alice-Miranda? Her adventure in Egypt didn’t seem to be the end, and I’m sure that Caprice could progress to become a much nicer girl. I think that seeing her new and improved would make my day.
I’m sure that Kensy and Max have a lot more adventures in store for them, as do your new heroes and heroines. I can’t wait to see what you achieve in the future; I’ll always be a fan, and it’s safe to say that I’ll never grow tired of your adventures, nor too old.
Your loyal reader,
Mollie
Kaya
Hi Ms Harvey,
I am so excited to read this book. I was literally jumping for joy when I picked it up from the library. I have read every single one of your books and I love them all! My 6 and 4 year old sisters are in love with Clementine Rose as well! I am 100% sure that this book will be just as edge-of-my-seat-nail-biting-super-dooper-impossible-to-put-down as the rest of the books you have written!
Please come to Brisbane for a meet and greet or something. I would love to meet you!
Kind Regards,
Kaya
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Kaya. I hope that you and your sisters will enjoy my new series Willa and Woof when it launches in July. I’m having a big online celebration so kids from all over the place can join in. Details soon. I hope to get up to Brisbane sometime this year. Best wishes, Jacqueline
Sophie
I love all your books so much!! Kensy and Max are awesome books.
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Sophie :). I’m busy working on number 10 at the moment.
Alisa
Dear Jacqueline,
Chasing Danger sounds so amazing. My brother and I both would love to read it but unfortunately, we haven’t seen it anywhere apart from my laptop screen. I started with Clementine Rose last year and once I started reading your books, I couldn’t stop. Speaking of Clementine Rose, I think you should also keep on writing them. I’ve read them all twice and possibly three times, but I don’t think it should just end like that. Maybe she could go on an adventure with her new little sister, Clara Grace? You are an amazing author [and my favourite].
Kind Regards,
Alisa
Abigail
Hi Jacqueline Harvey!
I recently read Kensy and Max: Chasing Danger, and I must say, I think its one of your best works yet in the series.
However, when I was thinking about stuff, something randomly popped up in my mind: what if Kensy and Max and Alice-Miranda had sort of like a cross-over. I think you’ve done a marvellous job at hinting both book series in either book series, but I’m just saying. . .what if?
Please get back to me soon,
Abigail
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Abigail! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed the book. I have had some cross-over with the two series – in Alice-Miranda in the Outback the kids watch a movie about some spy kids! I am currently working on Kensy and Max 10 – it’s called Time’s Up and there are lots of BIG reveals. I’m tired just thinking about it! Enjoy your school holidays.
Best wishes,
Jacqueline
Elily
wow… just finished 9th book can’t wait to read time’s up!!! Also how many Kensy and Max books are there going to be in the future?
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Elily,
Book 10 is coming in May. I’m going to take a little break from Kensy and Max after that one to write a standalone novel (a super cool mystery) but then I can definitely see some more.
Matilde
I totally agree with you
prakruti
hi Miss Harvey my name Is Prakruti I live in New Zealand and I am a humongous fan of your books Kency and Max and Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose I have read every single one of them you have written except Alice-Miranda in Egypt because the public library does’t have that book yet but I put a request for it and I love your book Kency and Max chasing danger I read it 3 times and I literally all of your Alice-Miranda book a hundred times all your books are so amazing that you never get bored of them but I’m really sad that Kency and Max are getting older than me I’m still 12 wahhhh!!!!!!!
Jacqueline Harvey
Where in NZ are you? I live part of the time in Queenstown and the other part of the time in Sydney. I love NZ – it’s the most beautiful country on earth. Thank you for your kind words about my books.
Matilde
Oh My! I LOVE Kensy and Max, I started reading the books when I was 7 and now I’m 10 – 11, I have always been over the moon when you’ve published the last 3 books. But now its all just sooooo exiting!
I have always suspected Tippie and Magoo for something, but I still dont get what Romilly and Tippie have against each other. The reveal of Lawrence was quite big for me and my dad And now for me I can only trust: Kensy & Max, Curtis, Anna, Edward, Cordelia and Rupert, Fitz (Idk if I can trust Song & Sidney seeing as though they’ve already been suspects.
Also I have a question, in the first 3 books Willow Witherby is a big suspect and so is Shugs what happened to that pair? And do the reveals of book 10 happen at the end? what’s the book’s mistery? who are they trailing this time? do Autumn and Carlos… come in at some point? when will book 10 come out? cause I searched the internet and there is no news or anything. Also I think they should make a movie, I’ve read Harry Potter and I feel they’re on the same level. with they’re differences of course, like there nobody knew about electronics an in K & M it’s basically they’re only means of success (and also good training and brains) I’m gonna continue with my questions, is Rom good or bad in the end? what happens to Lawrence? Are any of the family including song, fitz, the peppers, autumn, sidney, carlos, dante… you know the group of unsuspected people, dangerous, behind attacks, double agents…? AND THE MOST INPORTANT QUESTION THAT I THINK I’M REPEATING: WHEN IS BOOK TEN COMING OUT?
thanks fr all the books
Jacqueline Harvey
Book 10 is coming out 4 May this year. I love that you’re thinking about who the ultimate bad guys are. Autumn plays a big role in Book 10 – Carlos not so much but Curtis is there from the start.
If I answered all of your questions I’d give away the plot so I’m afraid you’re going to have to be patient and read the book – and yes all the big reveals are there.
Matilde
OH NO! I just had a horrible thought IS IT THE LAST BOOK IN THE SERIES? also does anybody close to K & M die?
Jacqueline Harvey
Kensy and Max 10 is the last book in the current series (in that I will answer all of those burning questions). I’m taking a little break from the series to write some other things but am definitely hoping that there will be Kensy and Max 2.0 where a whole new set of mysteries come up. The end of the book signals some big changes for Pharos. Can’t tell you if anyone dies :).
matilde
I haven’t read Alice Miranda yet but if there’s a chance of them crossing over I’m getting the book right now
Jacqueline Harvey
There is a little bit of cross over in funny ways.
Coley
Hi Jacqueline,
It’s a bit of an understatement to say that I’m really into this book series. I’m starting to drift back into it, after not reading it for a while (although every time I come back, it reminds me of how much I adore the series). This is probably one of my guilty pleasures since I believe many people would call me immature for reading and rereading this fantastic series as a teenager but I can’t get enough. I’ve drawn a lot of inspiration from your books (particularly Kensy and Max) and I’m working on my own little spy stories, and it’s so exciting. I knew as soon as I started reading that I had an interestingly close connection to Autumn since she honestly reminds me so much of myself in both personality (hopeless romantic) and appearance. And I love that about this series; it always makes me happy that I’m able to relate to the characters. As soon as the next book is released (I’m so excited for it) I’ll be hunting for it all over the library. Keep writing
Regards, Coley
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Chloe – love your message. I really appreciate your kind words about the books x
KrazyKat
Is there a number 10 Kensy & Max?
Jacqueline Harvey
Yes! It’s called Time’s Up and it’s out 3 May in Australia.
Lara
Number nine just came out in my library! It was the best one yet! There was thrill, excitement, and I just loved it!
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Lara – hope you’ll enjoy number 10 when it’s out in May :).
Scarlet
Hi Jacquline!
I just wanted to say I LOVE your books! I have tonnes of your books. Although I have a lot of them I have to say Alice-miranda is so my favourite. With your new series, Willa and Woof, do you think it would be a good and enjoyable read for an Eleven year old?
From Scarlet
Jacqueline Harvey
Hi Scarlet, Willa is aimed at a slightly younger audience but they are really good fun and I think you’d still enjoy them – you’d probably just read them quite quickly.
Scarlet
Yeah, I probably will. My mum says that I read any book quick so I would read them fast.
Lyla
All of your books are awesome
Lyla
I cannot wait for it to get released!
Lyla
You are my fav author!
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Lyla 🙂
Scarlet
Your books are my favourite and you are my favourite author!
Scarlet
Your books are my favourite
Jacqueline Harvey
Thank you 🙂
Clara Brown
Wow! I can’t wait for Time’s Up to be released! I started reading this series in 2018 and from the moment I started reading, it drew me in. I love all the plot twists, and me and my friends are always talking about our theories for the book (theory: Tippie’s being very suspicious, but so is Romilly. Is Romilly the victim.. or not???)
Although I’m disappointed the series is coming to an end, I’m really excited to find out what was happening.
C.B
Jacqueline Harvey
Thanks Clara. We are thinking about a Kensy and Max reboot in a year or so when the kids will be a bit older so even though this particular story arc is coming to an end there could be more.