''Maximum Security'' is the third novel in the ''

CHERUB A cherub (; : cherubim; ''kərūḇ'', pl. ''kərūḇīm'') is one type of supernatural being in the Abrahamic religions. The numerous depictions of cherubim assign to them many different roles, such as protecting the entrance of the Garden of ...

'' series of books, written by

Robert Muchamore Robert Kilgore Muchamore (born 26 December 1971) is an English author of young adult fiction. He's best known for his ''CHERUB'', '' Henderson's Boys'' and '' Rock War'' series. Early life Robert Kilgore Muchamore was born in Tufnell Park, Lon ...

. In this novel CHERUB agents James Adams and Dave Moss infiltrate a maximum security prison in

Arizona Arizona is a U.S. state, state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States, sharing the Four Corners region of the western United States with Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It also borders Nevada to the nort ...

to get to the son of an international arms dealer.

Plot

The

FBI The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and Federal law enforcement in the United States, its principal federal law enforcement ag ...

discover that Curtis Key, a 14-year-old boy imprisoned in an

maximum security prison for murder, is the son of Jane Oxford, an international arms dealer who has evaded capture for decades. After Oxford steals

missiles A missile is an airborne ranged weapon capable of self-propelled flight aided usually by a propellant, jet engine or rocket motor. Historically, 'missile' referred to any projectile that is thrown, shot or propelled towards a target; this u ...

intended for the British government, British intelligence becomes involved in the hunt for Oxford. It is proposed that CHERUB send agents undercover in the prison to help Curtis escape, in the hope that he will lead the FBI to his mother. James Adams is recruited for the mission, along with Dave Moss, a well-respected CHERUB agent with a reputation for womanising. A third agent is required to assist the escape; James suggests his sister Lauren, who has just passed basic training. James and Dave go undercover, posing as brothers incarcerated for running over a homeless woman while fleeing a robbery. On their first night in prison, Dave is injured in an altercation with prison officers, leaving James with the sole responsibility of breaking Curtis out. James wins Curtis' trust and the duo escape by posing as prison guards. After meeting up with Lauren, who is posing as James and Dave's sister, and evading the police, the trio make their way to the

Idaho Idaho ( ) is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain states, Mountain West subregions of the Western United States. It borders Montana and Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the south, and Washington (state), ...

ranch of Vaughn Little, a former weapons dealer and associate of Oxford, to hide out while Oxford makes further arrangements. During their stay, James strikes up a relationship with Little's daughter Becky, to Lauren's disgust, as he is still dating Kerry. From there they are taken to

Boise Boise ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2020 census, there were 235,685 people residing in the city. Located on the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and nor ...

, where two of Oxford's henchmen give the three new identities. The henchmen explain that Curtis will travel to

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

while James and Lauren will be given a new life in

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

. However, Oxford has planned to kill James and Lauren as witnesses to Curtis' escape, and after Curtis leaves for the airport with one of the henchmen, the other one attempts to kill Lauren, who successfully incapacitates him. Mission controller John Jones and the FBI follow Curtis, but instead of going to the airport, Curtis goes to an

Oregon Oregon ( , ) is a U.S. state, state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is a part of the Western U.S., with the Columbia River delineating much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington (state), Washington, while t ...

motel. Oxford appears, having come for Curtis in person, and is promptly arrested. James, Dave, and Lauren return home to CHERUB campus. In the epilogue, Oxford refuses to co-operate with authorities and is remanded in

ADX Florence United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility (abbreviated as USP Florence ADMAX; commonly known as ADX Florence, Florence Supermax, and the Alcatraz of the Rockies) is a United States federal prison in Fremont County, Colorado, op ...

, and is expected to face life in prison, though the missiles remain unaccounted for. Little is also incarcerated, while Oxford's henchmen are sentenced to death after their past as contract killers is exposed. Curtis' sentence is reduced to 7 years after it is found that a psychiatrist took a bribe to recommend Curtis to the military school where the incident that precipitated his killing spree occurred. Lauren earns her navy shirt for her performance on the mission, Dave fully recovers from his injuries, and James, Lauren and Dave are awarded the

Intelligence Star The Intelligence Star is an award given by the Central Intelligence Agency to its officers for "voluntary acts of courage performed under hazardous conditions or for outstanding achievements or services rendered with distinction under conditions ...

for their service.

Notes

Characters

Critical reception

''Maximum Security'' received better reviews than its predecessor, '' Class A'' and received two awards.

Awards

References

External links

UK page of CHERUB website for book

{{Robert Muchamore CHERUB novels 2005 British novels Novels set in Arizona Hodder & Stoughton books