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The Agency 1: A Spy in the House Paperback – April 26, 2016

by Y.S. Lee (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 670 ratings
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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.
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  1. Reading age
    12 - 17 years
  2. Book 1 of 4
    The Agency
  3. Print length
    352 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Grade level
    7 - 9
  6. Lexile measure
    HL680L
  7. Dimensions
    5.56 x 0.9 x 8.25 inches
  8. Publisher
    Candlewick
  9. Publication date
    April 26, 2016
  10. ISBN-10
    0763687480
  11. ISBN-13
    978-0763687489
  12. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Y.S. Lee has a Ph.D. in Victorian literature and culture and says her research inspired her to write Book One of The Agency trilogy. “Women’s choices were grim in those days, even for the clever,” she says. “The Agency is a totally unrealistic, completely fictitious antidote to the fate that would otherwise swallow a girl like Mary Quinn.” Y. S. Lee lives in Ontario, Canada.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick; Reprint edition (April 26, 2016)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0763687480
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0763687489
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 - 17 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ HL680L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.56 x 0.9 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 670 ratings

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  1. Rushang Li

    Rushang Li

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  2. Y.S. Lee

    Y.S. Lee

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    Y S Lee was born in Singapore, raised in Vancouver and Toronto, and lived for a spell in England. As she completed her PhD in Victorian literature and culture, she began to research a story about a girl detective in 1850s London. The result was her debut novel, The Agency: A Spy in the House. This won the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s inaugural John Spray Mystery Award in 2011.

    The Agency quartet continues with The Body at the Tower and The Traitor and the Tunnel, both of which were nominated for awards. Rivals in the City, coming in February 2015, is the final book in the Agency series. All four books are published by Candlewick Press (US/Canada) and Walker Books (UK/Australia). The novels have also been translated into French, German, Spanish, Italian, Korean and Turkish.

    In her previous life as an academic, Ying wrote Masculinity and the English Working Class (Routledge). She now lives in Kingston, Ontario.

    She blogs every Wednesday at yslee.com.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
670 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

K. Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars A great novel!
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2009
Verified Purchase
I wasn't convinced that I was going to like this book. Primarily comprised of two genres that I don't typically read (young adult literature and mystery novels), I just didn't see myself getting into it. Even the publisher's description and multiple rave reviews from other lit review websites did little to pique my interest. I had pledged to read it however, and so I dutifully sat down one day to give it a fair chance.

I was extremely impressed.

The opening statement made me smile - not so much for its actual content, but for its technical prowess. I must admit that I spent a good portion of the first few chapters distracted from the storyline by the writer's skill and craft. This isn't to say that they are not interesting, by any means - it's just that the book is very well written and I tend to get distracted from the big picture by the details. :p

Once I settled into a groove, I was transported back in time - the transition seamless and effortless on my part. I can't vouch for the historical accuracy, but it's all very believable and "about right according to what I've been led to believe" for the time period. There are certainly no glaring discrepancies, additions, or omissions. Very interesting to me was the focus on poverty and the lower class structure. Most literature of that period barely acknowledges the working class aside from them being there, but essentially invisible - which I suppose would have been appropriate at the time. Given the heroine's background, this is a very nice viewpoint and serves as a bit of a literary palate cleanser for those steeped in the works of Wilde, Maugham, Shaw, and the classics.

Character and plot development are strong, with the pace never dawdling but not appearing rushed at any time. Without giving anything away there are a few nice twists in the plot (as any good mystery novel ought to have), and the conclusion seems neither strained nor saccharine - something sadly missing in much of modern literature.

It is written such that a bright young pre-teenager would be able to grasp the storyline and get "hooked"; but it is not dumbed down, nor does it pander to that audience. Adults will also thoroughly enjoy reading this novel. Even elitist, self-proclaimed literary snobs such as myself. :p

Overall I'd say that this is an excellent read, and a great kickoff to the trilogy. Though really, why stop there? For a person unconvinced that he'd enjoy reading this novel beforehand, I must admit that I'm looking forward to reading the next two.
25 people found this helpful
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MereChristian
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun and Well-Researched Historical Mystery Novel
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2013
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Author Y. S. Lee presents an intriguing idea in her series of mystery novels called The Agency. The essential gist is that of a specialized private agency that employs women as spies in mid-nineteenth century England. The rationale for the characters is that the heads of the group believe in two truths: that women should have more opportunities than just wife, governess, or poverty; and that women are never taken seriously.

This two-fold belief leads to the ability to hire out the services of this mysterious group's female agents because no one will bat an eyelash at saying things in front of women that they will say in front of men. Is this sexist? Yes. Is it realistic for the time as well? Also yes.

The first book, A Spy in the House follows a young beginner agent named Mary Quinn. Miss Quinn has escaped a very harsh and tragic life on the streets (and gallows) when the Agency took her in as a student and later teacher. Upon finding out the truth of what the school does, Mary jumps at the opportunity presented to her to become an agent. As she is untested, and a novice agent, her first mission is a simple one: she is to observe what occurs around a family that a senior agent is investigating, and report back any suspicious activities she observes. It is a training mission, really. Nothing more. However, a convergence of factors, including her pride and a new possible ally, lead her to a far more involved role than she, or her superiors at the Agency, were prepared for.

I really enjoyed this novel for a few reasons. One is that it isn't steampunk, but still dealt with some neat themes. Please do no not misunderstand. I am starting to love steampunk as a genre, but so often the cool stories with strong women characters, chivalrous men, and compelling interpersonal plot lines taking place in the past are steampunk. That this author did so in a very realistic portrayal of 19th century England, is terrific.

I also appreciated that this wasn't some screed against men, and didn't excuse bad women simply because they were mistreated. It is a work that has both good and bad men and women as characters, and treats them thusly. When a character does something particularly selfish, it isn't just passed off as her being a "strong woman not submitting to a man", but seen for what it is, bad behavior.

The research the author put in was obvious, and only served to strengthen the work. In fact, the only real criticism I have is that is still don't understand why the one bad guy didn't put a stop to the other bad guy's plans. Yes, there were legal issues, but nothing that should have made the one just endure it so pathetically. But, in a way, the one bad guy not being QUITE as ruthless works to the book's theme. And that's all I'll say about that. Also, the ending was a tad rushed. I really would like some more wrap-up than what this book gave us.

Other than the above, the work was terrific, very meticulously researched, and well-worth a read.
7 people found this helpful
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Stephanie
5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect read
Reviewed in the United States on April 15, 2011
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Helloooo, new favorite book! A Spy in the House was absolutely brilliant. It executed a great mystery, was never slow or boring, and had leads that were both complex and captivating. Mary easily joined the ranks as one of my favorite characters. She was clever, had spirit, and was not afraid to stand her ground. Then there was James Easton who was very much Mary's equal. The two could bring out the best and worst of each other, but it was a good balance and they made quite the team together.

The mystery was very well written, neither too convoluted nor too obvious. All of the characters involved had evidence against them, making them equal suspects, and yet the conclusion still managed to surprise me. Details of Mary's past were also revealed and it was very easy to empathize with her. I'm looking forward to seeing more information surface in the future installments and for Mary to fully accept her identity.

Then there was the romance... James and Mary easily have some of the best chemistry I've come across. From their first encounter in the wardrobe, I knew they would be a pair I would love and that proved to be true. If you're looking for declarations of love, and all that goes with the usual YA novel, you won't find it here, but you will find a compatible match with these two. Their banter and sexual tension was fantastic and it can only get better from here.

This book kept me up until the early hours of the morning to finish up the story. As the end approached, I ran to my computer to order the next book in the trilogy, The Body at the Tower. I can't recommend this enough, so definitely give it a chance if you can!
7 people found this helpful
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Rebecca W. - Read It Review It Book Blog
3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant read
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2023
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Set in Victorian London it was interesting and kept me engaged. The concept is unique and intriguing. I will most likely check out the rest of the series.
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ThePolyBlog
5.0 out of 5 stars Best mystery I have read all year
Reviewed in Canada on December 6, 2019
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PLOT OR PREMISE:
An orphan in the mid-1800s is diverted from the gallows to a school for girls, gets her high school education, and graduates to become an operative for a special investigating Agency of women run by the heads of the school.
.
WHAT I LIKED:
The story has a very strong "Anne Perry" historical fiction feel to it, but without the constant discussion of Jane Austen-style society. The mystery is solid, the characters are rich, and the investigator -- Mary Quinn -- is inexperienced, which shows in some of her actions. I didn't guess the outcome, although I suspected some of it, and the hint of romance improves the flavour as it goes. She is more active than the Anne Perry-style heroines, and it shows as she breaks into various places.
.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
Her age is a bit distracting as she is 17 passing for 20, which no one really believes.
.
DISCLOSURE:
I received no compensation, not even a free copy, in exchange for this review. I am not personal friends with the author, nor do I follow him / her on social media.
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Graeme
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun
Reviewed in Australia on December 12, 2018
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It is always interesting to read or watch something with a strong female lead, especially when set in a time when women were considered inferior. It must be difficult to get the right balance of time appropriate viewpoints, while giving the female character agency.
I am happy to say, that in A spy in the house, YS Lee manages to deliver a strong willed woman who overcomes the obstacles placed before her. At no time did I feel situations were contrived, or not in keeping with the time period.
James is brilliant as the male lead. He has the typical chauvinistic beliefs of the era, beliefs that would make him a horrible character in a modern setting, yet work in Spy in the house. It was actually funny seeing him pulling his hair out over the antics of Mary.

Onto the plot. Nothing revolutionary here, but it was nonetheless enjoyable. Mary is sent to investigate the Thorald household in order to catch a criminal. I suspect many readers will deduce the culprit long before the reveal, but the somewhat predictable outcome did not lessen the journey.

Overall, a solid 4 stars. Recommend to anyone who likes strong female leads, or period dramas. I will be reading book 2.
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inma
3.0 out of 5 stars Es misterio, no es Literatura
Reviewed in Spain on September 7, 2015
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Como novela de misterio no está mal, pero como literatura Neo-victoriana Sarah Waters o hasta Anne Rice son más recomendables.
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kara-karina
5.0 out of 5 stars An exceptionally good read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 3, 2014
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I thought that this was an exceptionally good read! The book grabs you from the first sentence and doesn't let go until the very end.

Mary Lang is twelve and is sentenced to death by hanging for an attempt of burglary. At the last moment she is saved by a mysterious benefactress who offers her a chance of a better life through education and honest work.

Five years later Mary who's taken less conspicuous surname Quinn is discontent of teaching the younger girls at the same school and her superiors let her into the real purpose of the school - some of their pupils become private detectives in The Agency, and Mary's colourful and peculiar past is perfect for such vocation.

Intrigued, excited and very eager to prove her worth, Mary goes through a crash course of detective skills and receives her first undercover role. She is to become a servant in the household of a rich merchant who is suspected in forging his insurance claims.

Impatient, daring Mary goes beyond her duty despite very specific instructions of The Agency and accidentally reveals herself to a young engineer who is also investigating the merchant. Reluctantly they teem up to stop bumping into each other at the most awkward moments, and start their dangerous journey full of treachery, family skeletons and constant lies.

The writing is flawless, the story is fun and exciting, and the twist with Mary's heritage is particularly interesting for this time period. I absolutely loved it, and will be reading the rest of the series as soon as I can get my hands onto it!
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Emilie
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, interesting read
Reviewed in Canada on October 3, 2015
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- Well written and obviously well researched
- Reminds me of Amanda Quick's books
- Good plot, interesting characters and a bit of cute romance
- Would not call it riveting or new but interesting and a pleasant read for a Sunday afternoon
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