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

Lee, Y.S. The Agency: A Spy in the House, 335 p. Candlewick, 2010. $16.99. Violence: PG. 

Rescued from the hangman’s noose, Mary Quinn is grateful to her rescuers, who have also housed her and educated her. When time comes for her to choose a profession, she decides to join the women’s highly secret detective business, which does discreet work for Scotland Yard. Now Mary is housed in a beautiful mansion and surrounded by intrigue. She must uncover the mystery - or is that mysteries – in this house, before her life is once more in mortal danger. Long time librarians may remember Phillip Pullman’s Ruby in the Smoke series – Lee seems to be picking up where Pullman left off – Victorian intrigue aimed at the YA audience. Though it lacks the fabulous gowns and glittering ballrooms of the Luxe series, it does offer more dangerous intrigue. And it looks to be a series. 

MS – OPTIONAL. Cindy, Library Teacher.