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

Title: A Spy In The House
Author: Y. S. Lee
Series: The Agency

Book #: 1st
Reading Level: YA

Pages: 400

Tags: Espionage, Fiction.

Rating: .4

Published: April 6, 2009.
by Walker Books

'Shhh the walls can listen...'

This is a colourful, action-packed Victorian detective novel centred around the exploits of 'agent' Mary Quinn. At a young age, Mary is rescued from the gallows by a woman masquerading as a prison warden. She is taken to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls.

The school, Mary learns, is a front for a private investigation agency and, at 17, she is taken on as an agent. In her new role she is catapulted into the family home of the Thorolds to investigate the shady business dealings of Mr Thorold.

Taschima's POV:

The story is set in 1858 at the height of the Great Stink. A thief since young age Mary Quinn had left hope behind, when suddenly, literally at her death bed, two woman appear and give her the option of a whole new life. Now Mary is studying to be a teacher, but she finds her work rather dull. So she changes career, and now she is a spy. She is sent to a rich merchant's household to pose as some paid friend to a spoiled rich girl but she is really there to solve the mystery of his lost cargo ships. Will she find everything she is looking for? Or is she just way over her head?

Y S Lee's debut novel is very entertaining, completely outstanding, and a definite must-read.

Mary is a very weird and interesting character. She can go from being a tomboy to being the most lady like girl you've met. Oh and she is also a fantastic actress, well she kind of has to be for a spy. At first I found her a little dull, but she soon showed to be a much more diverse character. Now out second most important character is James. He is completely full of himself, but still you can't help but smile when he comes into the story. I have to confess I preferred his POV to Mary's, but that is my opinion.

Plot wise, Y S Lee does know how to keep you guessing. At first you might think it's this, but then it's that, but then that doesn't even have to do with this, and it's a total puzzle. Some things I was able to solve, but others was like WHAT? Hehe Which I appreciate because it makes the story more worth my time, I don't want to figure every single thing out before it's time.

It ended how it was suppose to end, but I wanted more on the romance department. Everything made sense, in concern to the end and the romance, but you are left with the feeling of AGH-WHYYY-I-want-mooore. And you are going to get more cause there is a second book so WOOT. If you want to learn more about the second book click here.

Anyways, read it, read it, read it.

PS; There is a contest going on at Y S Lee's website. Go and sign up.