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

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

Publisher: Candlewick Press
 Publication Date: September 6, 2009
 Pages: 223
Source: I purchased this on my Kobo.

Review:

Set in Victorian England The Agency tells us the story of Mary Quinn. Mary Quinn was orphaned as a young child and as a resort has to turn to thieving.  Mary gets caught thieving and is sentenced to death.  Fortunately before that can occur Mary is taken by the women who run Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. When she turns 17 she learns that the school is actually a cover for an all-women’s spy agency, and she learns that she will be given her first assignment!

I liked the character of Mary quite a bit. She could keep care of herself and did not allow others to walk all over her. She also acknowledges when she has done wrong and made a mistake.  The only problem I had was I do not believe in the times this book was set in Mary would have been able to all she did in The Agency.  James the other main character in The Agency was also an enjoyable character. I liked his and Mary’s relationship and how it developed very slowly. At first James is very frustrated by Mary but learns to care for her. They had some great banter and knew how to push each other’s buttons.

The Agency was a little predictable at times. I knew pretty early on who was responsible and how the mystery would fit together.  I also knew how many of the characters relationship where going to develop and what would happen to them. This caused me to take off a star. I know it would have been more enjoyable had I not been able to guess what was going to occur in these situations. 

If you want a quick read , that might be predictable The Agency would be a read to check out.

What I rate this : 3/5 stars.