The Agency 1: A spy in the house By Y.S Lee

Sorry for the small tiny pic...It is the only one  could find :-/

Author: Y.S Lee

Pages: 355

Age level: 13 +

   Publisher: Candlewick

                                                             Publisher's Description:


"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."

My Thoughts: 

I liked it.  I wouldn't recommend this book to boys OR to girls under thirteen for some content in here.  But, I think it is a fine enough book for 'big girls'.

Pros:

It is VERY enthralling.  It takes matter of fact things in life and treats them, as matter of fact things.  Mary is a no-nonsense type gal.  Over all. This is a good book, though, there will be some 'eh' things in it.

Cons:

NOW for the 'eh' things!

Mary was a thief, but that was a common thing in London during this era.

Mr. Thorold is said to have had a 'affair' with a maid woman, it is pretty much all throughout the book, but isn't majorly focused on.  Because, again, this was (and still is) a common thing in life.

Mary's mother had to be a prostitute to support her daughter, but it isn't highly discussed, only mentioned briefly.

Mary has to change dresses in the coach....but makes James close his eyes.

Language:

James and George say "Oh Go-" in some places, but that is the extent of it. 

Romance:

Mr. Thorold has a affair with a Maid.  James and Mary briefly fall in and out of Love.  If you want to call it that.

Violence:

Mary punches James and bloodies his nose, Mary breaks into a warehouse. 

Drugs and Drink:

None. To my knowledge, so if there IS, It is slight and not important.

Overall, I rate this book 4 STARS for a wonderful plot, well formed characters, and overall greatness. 

You ask: "WHERE CAN I BUY IT AT!?!?!"  (okay, maybe not THAT strongly...)

Candlewick publishing gave me this book for reviewing purposes. I am NOT being paid to do this.  

And you can buy it HERE at the candlewick official site.

I'm beginning to notice a trend.  I seem to find books interesting that are in a sequel.  I wonder why?