Module 9: The Agency: A Spy in the House

The Agency: A Spy in the House by Y.S. Lee

 

Summary:  A Spy in the House is set in Victorian London, where we first meet the main character, twelve- year-old Mary Quinn, who is about to be hung at the gallows.  When Mary is miraculously rescued, she is taken to an academy for girls.  Fast forward five years, and Mary is now seventeen, and is being trained (much to her delight) to be a secret investigator.  She ends up working on her first case, in a wealthy merchants house, disguised as a lady's companion, spying on a man suspected of both fraud and smuggling.  While there, she meets an intriguing gentleman named James, and together than try to uncover a mystery which involves disguises, late night break-in's, and danger.  

APA Reference: Lee, Y. S. (2010). The agency: A spy in the house. Somerville, MA: Candlewich Press.

Impressions:  I read all 335 pages of this book in one day, if that says anything.  Although it is set in Victorian London, the pace is fast,  the characters are intriguing, and the book is very reminiscent of a cross between both Pride and Prejudice and Sherlock Holmes.  Mary Quinn is a strong-willed protagonist,  and the relationship she has with James is comical from the beginning when they accidentally meet in a dark closet, while they are both spying on the same person. James is somewhat arrogant, and Mary is feisty enough that they end up having several amusing sparring matches, while trying not to like each other.  The London atmosphere is also intriguing, and allows the reader a somewhat historical look at poverty, women's rights, and the geographical features of Victorian London.  Lucky for readers, there are also two other books in this series.  
 

Professional Review: 
Set in the richly described underbelly of Victorian London, Lee's debut novel launching the Agency trilogy introduces feisty Mary Quinn. At the 11th hour, 12-year-old Mary is rescued from hanging (for thievery) and taken to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls, a school doubling as a secret training ground for female private detectives. When Mary turns 17, she is selected for a case requiring her to spy on a wealthy merchant by serving as a companion to his spoiled, petulant daughter, Angelica Thorold. Mr. Thorold is suspected of pirating valuable artifacts from India, and it turns out that James Easton, the younger brother of one of Angelica's suitors, is on Thorold's trail as well. Through the many and somewhat contrived plot twists, Mary's skills are tested; she prevails with Easton's help and attentions, partly belying the story's feminist tenor. A subplot revolves around a family secret Mary tries to keep buried. If cultural issues at times feel like they are being addressed with a modern sensibility, Mary's lively escapades, on the whole, will hold readers' attention and whet their interest for the next installment. Ages 12-up. 

[Review of the book A spy in the house, by Y. S. Lee]. (2010, February 01). Publishers weekly, 257(5), 51. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/


Library Uses: Introduce at a teen mystery program, or put on a mystery display geared to all ages. Use this book for a teen book club group, and have them solve their own murder mystery as a follow-up activity.