Being that I’m currently on a children’s mystery reading kick, I couldn’t resist trying out a modern tale of suspense and adventure. I noticed that Candlewick had recently released a new (to them) title called The Agency 1: A Spy in the House. It sounded like perfection so I gave it a whirl!
A Spy in the House is set in England in the mid 1800’s and it is the story of young Mary Quinn who narrowly escapes the gallows, after being caught stealing. She is taken into a boarding school for young women and given an education and, eventually, is invited to be part of The Agency which is a secret society of women who are brilliantly unsuspecting in a day-and-age where women were destined to be housewives. They can play the part of females in society, which makes them perfect candidates to gather information for Scotland Yard quietly and on the sly.
Huge pros in reading this book:
1. Excellently written by Y.S. Lee. Never for a single moment was I ripped out of the story by awkward dialogue or truly unbelievable situations. Her characters banter with perfection and I snickered at the zingers that Mary whipped out in unsuspecting moments.
2. There are twists and turns at the end of this book that makes me wary of not wanting to spoil this book for you with a traditional review. I could not guess the end of the matter myself and found the conclusion both fun and satisfying.
3. This book is just FUN! For a lover of mystery stories, this one suited me just fine. It wasn’t predictable, I could easily visualize the settings that Y.S. Lee was describing, it had humor and I felt honestly suspenseful about the fate of some of the characters.
Cons to reading this story:
1. Even though the book was very well written, Lee clearly has a thing about writing a “strong female lead.” You know. The kind of female who doesn’t need a man. I felt she rather dismissed the fact that marriage is a good and blessed arrangement. Instead, she took the position with the Agency that marriage is for men and women are better off with options available to them that will not tie them down. I had to tell myself not to be offended by this as I entered the story. That said, although the book starts out strong with the message that “marriage is suspect”, it pitters out to a degree and you are able to move past that particular issue and get into the story.
2. There are some mature themes and a few scattered bad words which I found regrettable and keep me from giving this book the full five stars that I rather desperately want to be able to give it. I don’t want to tell you what the themes are, because that would spoil the book to some degree. (E-mail me on the side if you really, really want to know.) Because of the themes, I’d personally not recommend this book to anyone 15 and under. (Candlewick suggests is for ages 12 and up but I rather disagree.) If I were the parent, I’d want to read it first. Again though, after the first 1/3 of the book, you move past all of these issues and are immersed into the story.
Admittedly, when I first got going with the story, the themes and the “marriage is a bad, bad thing” theme was enough to make me want to close the book. However, Lee made me like the character of Mary Quinn so much from the get-go that I forced myself to keep going. After awhile, the messages toned down and I was caught up in the mystery of it all, as Lee had rather beautifully set the stage. I found myself easing into the story and enjoying it so thoroughly that I couldn’t put it down! I closed the book positively enamored and quickly shot off an e-mail to the publisher asking when the second book is due out! (Answer: 8/10/10)
I would LOVE to give The Agency 1: A Spy in the House five stars, but I’m held back for a few bad words and some mature themes. That aside, I would hand this book over to any adult lover of mysteries without a second thought, really. Again, you gals know your kids and what you are ok with them reading better than myself. This is one I would seriously consider and am happy to present it to you as an option. It definitely deserves some discussion surrounding a read, but anyone over 18 can just have at it and fly away!
I’m also quite positively delighted to tell you that Candlewick has offered a copy of this book to one of our readers. Would you like to win a copy? Simply leave a comment below! We’ll announce the winner in the April 21st giveaway post. This contest is open to U.S. Residents only.
Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know and Reading My Library.
edj says
Sounds fun! I’d like to give it a try, although I don’t think I’d pass it on to my 13 y/o.
Annette W says
I love when I am reading a review here and POP at the end you have a sweet surprise for the readers with a giveaway. It’s quite the treat after enjoying the review!
I would love to win this. For me. It sounds good, despite the themes and language…but sad that those are in there for a book geared to 12 year olds!
Alison S. says
Sounds like an interesting book. Sign me up.
Amy from Occupation: Mommy says
Sounds like a good book!
Mark says
Pick me! Pick me! (Pretty please with sugar on top?)
Amy says
This book sounds so fun! I’d love to win a copy!
Linda Kish says
I would enjoy reading this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Benita G. says
I’d love to win a copy. Thanks for the possibility.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Anita Yancey says
I would love to win this book. It sounds like a great read.
Kay says
Enter me please.
katklaw777 says
I’d luv to read this book…after all I am a mature reader. lol
Kim C says
I would love to win this book read it and then give it to my daughter to read
Some Lucky Dog says
This sounds like an interesting book. I like stories set in this time period.
Christy H. says
This sounds like a great read ~ I would love to win a copy.
Marj M. says
I’d like to read this one myself. I know my daughter and granddaughter would read it too.
Bluestocking says
This sounds great!!
Carolyn says
Please count me in!
abi says
Oh, this sounds like a wonderful mystery book. I’d love to win it. Thanks
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Cindy Woolard says
I absolutely love the cover. Please enter me into your giveaway and thank you so very much for the opportunity.
Smiles,
Cindy W.
countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com
Peggy Gorman says
I love dated and fun books. Count me in!
Michele Anne says
Would love to win….sign me up
Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith says
Love a good mystery – any time period!
Bill 😉
billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com
Hope you’ll check out my book giveaway:
http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/04/book-giveaway-moonlight-falls.html
http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/
Mari says
I’d love to win. Sign me up, please.
Ashley H. says
Sounds like a fun read!
leola norman says
I would love to read The Agency. I love mysteries.
[email protected]
Beth C says
Please enter me for a chance to win – thanks!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
Judy Dudley says
I’d love to win a copy of this book. Please enter me in this giveaway!
Judy
debp says
I would like to win. I need a good book to read.
debp
[email protected]
Aisling says
I always enjoy reading about the early days of police work and English “Society” and this sounds like an interesting book. Thanks.
George Ferris says
This sounds like an interesting book to read.
Ann F says
This sounds like an interesting book that I’d like to read. Please enter me in the giveaway.
shannon Baas says
Looks like a good book.
valerie mabrey says
count me in
Rebecca says
I would like to read this
Steve Scott says
Looks like a good read. Thanks for the chance.
Sarah E says
Please enter me in this giveaway!
angie says
This looks great. Would love to read it.
david basile says
sounds like a great read
Kathy Scott says
I need some good books to read while we are camping this summer.
Thanks for the chance.
CHARLENE says
Mystery books are my favorite! Thanks for offering it 🙂
Nicole C. says
I would love to read this book.
Melissa B. says
This is my kind of book!
Min says
sounds like a fun book
Ed Nemmers says
I love period books!
donna says
this is my kind of book
Tiffanie M. says
I would have to get this for my sister. She works the graveyard shift at the front desk of a hotel, and she uses the hours of down time to read. Mysteries are her favorite.
sparkofutterance(at)hotmail.com
Donna C. says
I like a good mystery. I would read it and pass it on to my 17 yo niece.
kathy pease says
Thank you for the Great giveaway please count me in 🙂
Susan Smith says
Sounds like a good book
Maja Meza says
sounds great