The Agency: A Spy in the House

This exciting historical mystery introduces Mary Quinn, a feisty 17-year-old orphan who finds an unusual calling with The Agency, a clandestine all-female detective organization in Victorian London. After being saved from the gallows, Mary is trained in manners and espionage, then sent undercover into a wealthy merchant's home to investigate missing cargo ships. The book is packed with action, suspense, and a touch of romance, as Mary navigates dangerous deceptions and uncovers secrets about the case and her own mysterious past. It's a fast-paced, empowering read for young adults, offering a strong female protagonist in a richly detailed historical setting.

Introducing an exciting new series! Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment. (Age 12 and up) Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners -- and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust -- or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets -- including those of her own past.