|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
|
Product Description
Quill & Quire
In mid-19th century London, 12-year-old Mary Lang is sentenced to hang for the crime of “housebreaking.” She has resigned herself to this fate, but is rescued and secretly whisked away to Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls. Five years later, Mary yearns to do more than merely teach others what she has learned at the school. She approaches her superiors and is let in on the academy’s secret: a female investigative team called The Agency.
Mary is offered her first assignment as a lady’s companion in a rich merchant’s home, where her task is simply to listen and learn. “Simply” is not how Mary does things, however, and she soon finds herself neck-deep in deception and danger. Will Mary’s training and street smarts save her or will they reveal her true identity?
Y.S. Lee of Kingston, Ontario, has a Ph.D. in Victorian literature and culture, and it is this expertise that lends the novel an atmosphere reminiscent of Dickens or Doyle. From her description of the stinking Thames on a hot summer day to her explanation of the nuances of Victorian gender roles, Lee creates the impression that she has first-hand knowledge of these sights, sounds, smells, and experiences. Add to that a feisty protagonist, and The Spy in the House makes for an appealing start to a planned trilogy.
There is a lot packed into the book, and Mary’s assignment and the primary mystery are sometimes lost among the numerous subplots and side stories. However, all of the seemingly loose threads come together in a satisfying conclusion that adds depth to an otherwise straightforward and somewhat predictable central storyline. The book’s commentary on the role of women in Victorian society and Mary’s ability to realistically challenge these assumptions and empower other females are perhaps more memorable than the solving of the mystery itself.
Product Description
Introducing an exciting new series! Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment.
Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past.
Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
|
Share your thoughts with other customers:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
a nice summer recreational reading,
By
This review is from: The Agency 1: A Spy in the House (Hardcover)
Mary Lang, the main character in the book, is unquestionably an underdog. She comes from London; her father, a Chinese merchant sailor, had died in a shipwreck. As a result of such a blow her mother, a seamstress, had a miscarriage, fell ill, lost her job, became a prostitute and finally died. Mary had no choice; she joined an army of street urchins, so numerous and notorious at that time, to earn (or rather steal) her living. First, the girl trained as a pickpocket and then she progressed to more lucrative but also more dangerous burglary. Although intelligent and skilled, she finally got caught. As it was only too common in the 19th century, the judge sentenced her to hang by the neck until she was dead. Here the action begins because, contrary to the sentence, Mary is not executed. She is rescued from the gallows by an organization which actively looks for clever girls in dire straits to help them. Do I have to add it is led by women only? Officially they run one of many private London schools - "Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls" but it is hardly a typical Victorian institution. Giving poor, neglected girls a real second chance in the form of a paid job is one of its aims.
I loved the whole idea of a book about the Victorian era in which the characters recognize and try to correct many social flaws of that time. I would say if such an Agency never existed, (and most probably it didn't, but you'll never know, they were definitely more secretive than James Bond) it's lovely somebody invented it. As this somebody happens to have her PHD in Victorian literature and culture, the book is properly researched, every detail rings true and it never fails to entertain you, even with the stinking river Thames in the background. The pace of narration is quick and the plot - well composed, making this book is a real page-turner; once you start it, you can't put it down till the very end. I only hope the second part, to be released soon, will match this one.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Literary Necessity,
By Dr. S (Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Agency 1 a Spy in the House (Paperback)
As a young person, I read all the historical fiction written for young people I could get my hands on. As slightly more of a grown-up, I've largely shifted my attention to mystery fiction. Y.S. Lee has brought together two of my preferred genres in a sophisticated and compulsively readably fashion. The suspenseful bits of this book are truly suspenseful, and the historical milieu is described in a detailed, but never dry, manner. If you have a young friend/relative who likes to read, give them this book. If you have a young friend/relative who doesn't like to read, give them this book and see if he/she changes his/her mind. And if you're a grown-up who appreciates elegant prose and insights into a different historical period, you should buy it for yourself!
3.0 out of 5 stars
Review by Tea and Tomes ([...]),
By
This review is from: The Agency 1: A Spy in the House (Paperback)
This wasn't a very heavy novel, which was definitely nice, but it did have enough of an intruiging plot to keep things moving well. There were a few little nitpicky negatives regarding this book (a few scenes could have been rearranged to better effect, I think, and I'm disappointed that George Easton seemed like he only existed as a way of introducing James), but overall, it was enjoyable to read.
The author's strength in writing is clear in the characters, and with very few exceptions, the characters are wonderfully real and can be related to in one form or another. She also has strength in period details, something which people unacquainted with Victoriana might not appreciate, but since I'm a fan of the era, I saw the little things that made the story just that much more believable. More than once I found myself debating whether it would be better for James and Mary to just get a room, or to duke it out in the middle of the street. Possibly both, given their fiery personalities and the nature of their relationship. In a nutshell, this book was an enjoyable read, not too taxing, fun to curl up with. I recommend it to those who enjoy light mysteries and to those who enjoy a good trip back to Victorian England. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel!
Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Want to see more reviews on this item?
|
Most recent customer reviews |
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Fiction > Europe
- Books > Children's Books > Literature > Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery & Horror > Mysteries, Espionage, & Detectives
- Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Orphans & Foster Homes
- Books > Teens > History & Historical Fiction > Historical Fiction
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
