When Georges (pronounced like “George,” NOT “Gorgeous,” as his fellow seventh-graders refuse to acknowledge) moves into a new apartment building, he and his father discover a cryptic sign on a door in the basement that says, “Spy Club Meeting — TODAY!” Intrigued (and somewhat confused, as no time is specified), Georges investigates, and finds himself with an odd new friend named Safer who is involved in a convoluted quest to spy on the mysterious Mr. X, who lives in the building, comes and goes at odd hours, and always wears black.

Any fan of Rebecca Stead  (author of First Light and the Newbery medal-winning When You Reach Me) could tell you that things are never as they seem. A straightforward story of middle-school politics and neighborly espionage is one thing, but gradually it becomes evident that Safer is hiding something.  Safer’s sweets-loving little sister Candy seems to know what it is, but she’s not telling. The clues about Mr. X don’t quite add up, and Georges may even be trying to lie to himself.

Great for middle-grade readers who like mysteries, spy stories or just a good underdog, Liar and Spy is a fantastic puzzle of a novel in which a seemingly random assortment of characters all fit together, right when they need it the most.

Liar and Spy, by Rebecca Stead, $15.99, Random House Children’s Books. Available at Little Shop of Stories, 133A East Court Square, Decatur.