Y.S. Lee
Hardcover | Pages: 335 pages Rating: 3.78 | 13638 Users | 1635 Reviews
Mention Regarding Books A Spy in the House (The Agency #1)
| Title | : | A Spy in the House (The Agency #1) |
| Author | : | Y.S. Lee |
| Book Format | : | Hardcover |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 335 pages |
| Published | : | March 9th 2010 by Candlewick (first published April 6th 2009) |
| Categories | : | Mystery. Historical. Historical Fiction. Young Adult. Fiction |
Narration Concering Books A Spy in the House (The Agency #1)
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.
Define Books To A Spy in the House (The Agency #1)
| Original Title: | A Spy in the House |
| ISBN: | 0763640670 (ISBN13: 9780763640675) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | The Agency #1 |
| Characters: | Mary Lang, James Easton, Felicity Frame, Anne Treleaven |
| Setting: | London, England,1858(United Kingdom) |
| Literary Awards: | Agatha Award Nominee for Best Childrens Young Adult (2010), John Spray Mystery Award (2011), OLA Forest of Reading Red Maple Award Nominee for Best Fiction (2011) |
Rating Regarding Books A Spy in the House (The Agency #1)
Ratings: 3.78 From 13638 Users | 1635 ReviewsCrit Regarding Books A Spy in the House (The Agency #1)
I was surprised to see from the author bio that Lee has a PhD in Victorian literature and culture, since to me the historical authenticity was the weakest aspect of this book. The characters, particularly our heroine Mary, seem like modern people plonked down in a prior century; their speech and attitudes are not Victorian, and they buck constantly against the norms and mores of the period. I wished that improbable feistiness wasn't Mary's only personality trait. Also, she kind of sucked atI thought this is a mystery, action packed book with a dash of romance. The mystery? I didn't feel anything.The action? Me:I want some dirty fist fight and "running around in London while being chased by the damn crooks" moment.The book: LOL!No!The romance? ♪Give me love! Give me love!♪
This read like a dream. Yes, I said it. Now if you are anything like me and your bibliophilic life started with raunchy mills and boons (Australian and Kiwi editions) and then widened to include historical romance (which were just as raunchy but did teach me a lot about Bonaparte) you will have some level of familiarity with historical novels boasting of a strong heroine and an intriguing hero. This, I hasten to add, is not to imply that The Agency is a romance novel. Oh no, far from it. Or that
I really, really wanted to like this book. I'm a fan of novels set during the Victorian era, as I've always been very interested in how thinking, reasoning people-especially women--manage to survive in such a repressive society. It's the same reason I like Jane Austen novels, because the yearning for connection with other human beings is so often at odds with the strict customs of the day.There's a tendency now in books for authors to just ignore those rules and just barrel forward with whatever
It's the nineteenth century. Mary was rescued from the gallows to become part of an all-female detective agency. If you let that sink in for a second, you'll realize that A Spy in the House is not realistic historical fiction - it's wishful thinking, it's social commentary, and no, it's not true to the time period. Yet I really enjoyed the book. A Spy in the House is like James Bond in petticoats with a side serving of feminism.
I had forgotten all about this series! The first time I read this book, I was 12 and I had absolutely adored it, but I wanted to see if my feelings would change upon reading it a second time (and this time, in french). I'm happy to say that they didn't!This was still the fun mystery story that I remember reading, and I'm so glad that I picked it up. I won't be writing a full review for this because I'm lazy but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. I mean, there was:-a half-asian MC, I know, just
I found A Spy in the House to be pretty entertaining, but fluffy. It didn't require much thought or attention: I wasn't bothered by Mum's snoring in the background (a flight from the UK to Italy is so tiring), or the conversations going on just outside the hotel room. Fun, but not taxing.The whole idea is quite fun: an academy for girls who're down on their luck (the main character is rescued from the gallows in the opening of the book), which can lead -- for some -- into becoming spies, in the
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