'A Spy in the House' by Y.S. Lee is the first installment in 'The Agency' series, a young adult historical fiction mystery set during Queen Victoria's reign in Victorian England. The story follows the main character, a half-Chinese young woman, as she navigates through a world of espionage and intrigue. Readers mention that the book has a slow start with a lot of exposition in the beginning, but it picks up pace as the story progresses, leading to a well-loved series with a fantastic slow-burn romance.

Characters:

Characters are rich and complex, featuring a strong protagonist in Mary Quinn, while male characters are depicted with relatable flaws reflective of their time.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is highly regarded for its technical skill, creating a believable historical atmosphere while remaining accessible to both young and adult readers.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers around a young woman’s journey from a difficult past to becoming a spy, thrust into more involvement than anticipated during her initial mission.

Setting:

The setting provides a rich backdrop of Victorian England, addressing social issues and the challenges faced by women.

Pacing:

The pacing balances between steady development and engaging twists, maintaining reader interest throughout.

Mary took the attic stairs two by two. It was tricky in a steel crinoline and buttoned boots, but she needed some sort of outlet for her nervous energy. Since requesting a meeting with the head teache...

Notes:

The book features a female protagonist, Mary Quinn, who is a young spy in Victorian London.

Mary was saved from execution and trained as an agent by a women-led private agency.

The story highlights social issues like poverty and the lower class in 19th-century England.

The Agency employs women because they are often underestimated, allowing them to gather information unnoticed.

The book combines mystery, historical fiction, and a slow-burn romance plot.

Mary's first mission involves observing a family suspected of illegal activities.

The author, Y.S. Lee, emphasizes details that connect to accurate historical context.

Readers appreciated the strong character development and a well-paced plot.

The series contains themes of female empowerment and independence.

The main characters navigate various societal norms while attempting to establish their own identities.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate presence of romance in the story, which develops alongside the main plot but is not the primary focus.

From The Publisher:

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, orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn found herself at Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls, the cover for an all-female investigative unit called the Agency. Now seventeen, Mary must put her training to the test. Disguised as a lady's companion, she infiltrates a merchant's home in hopes of finding clues to the whereabouts of his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of deceptions, and there is no one to trust. . . . Or is there? Packed with suspense and evoking gritty Victorian backstreets, this breezy mystery marks the debut of a detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets - including those of her own past.

Ratings (3)

Loved It (1)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (15):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (9)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

lulareviewla

It Was OK

7 months

I was surprised at how much I liked this book. The main character is fiery and fierce, and while I found the mystery to be a little flat, I enjoyed this book.

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About the Author:

Y. S. Lee was born in Singapore but brought up in Canada. She also lived briefly in the United Kingdom. An academic with a PhD in Victorian literature and culture, she wrote MASCULINITY AND THE ENGLISH WORKING CLASS IN VICTORIAN…

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