Review: A Spy in the House By Y.S. Lee

Title: A Spy in the House
Author: Y. S. Lee
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publishing Date: February 8, 2011
Length: 335 Pages
Series: The Agency #1
Summary: Orphan Mary Quinn lives on the edge. Sentenced as a thief at the age of twelve, she’s rescued from the gallows by a woman posing as a prison warden. In her new home, Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls, Mary acquires a singular education, fine manners, and surprising opportunity. The school is a cover for the Agency – an elite, top-secret corps of female investigators with a reputation for results – and at seventeen, Mary’s about to join their ranks.

With London all but paralyzed by a noxious heat wave, Mary must work fast in the guise of lady’s companion to infiltrate a rich merchant’s home with hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the Thorold household is full of dangerous secrets, and people are not what they seem – least of all Mary.

Packed with action and suspense, and evoking the gritty world of Victorian London, this first book in the Agency series debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits.

My Thoughts: I love this book. I have been waiting for a series like this and am so happy my library actually had this book in stock. I'm planning on going to buy the entire series once the snow lets up enough for me to get to the book store.  I was internet browsing and came across this book and was instantly captivated by the cover.  If there's one thing that I am instantly attracted to, it's books that hint at Victorian London and mystery. This book was wonderful. I loved the fluid change between Mary and James's perspectives. Mary is a strong character with a  enigmatic past and I'm hoping to learn more about her as the series progresses. Truth be told, I actually have a little bit of writer's envy for this book. The plot line is so brilliant and the characters are similar to something that I am working on, that I have just a little bit of jealousy.

The other part of me is ecstatic that such a story like this can be pulled off. Kudos to the author! My favorite part is probably the flirtatious partnership between Mary and James Easton. Their banter was witty and intelligent and I laughed out loud several times throughout the course of the story.  The mystery was intriguing, I did not see one part coming, and I enjoyed the writing immensely and finished the book in one sitting. 
Somethings To Be Careful Of:
Language:  We're talking the lovely British swearwords here. I am not as bothered by these as I probably should be, but here you go:  The word 'bloody' was used a few times; including the expression, "Bloody h__"  The word, "Da__" and its ending of, "Able"  The Lord's name was taken in vain about three times. 
Other Content: Mary mentions that her mother had to fall to prostitution to support their family, a character, Mr. Thorold, is rumored to have gotten one of the maids pregnant, Mary is accused of being Mr. Thorold's mistress.