The Agency: The Body at the Tower

This historical mystery plunges readers into the dark and fascinating world of Victorian London, following Mary Quinn, a young female detective. As she infiltrates a building site to investigate a murder, disguised as a boy, Mary must confront her own traumatic past of poverty and fear. The book offers a compelling blend of suspense, social commentary, and a strong female protagonist, making it an engaging read for young adults interested in history, mystery, and stories of resilience. It explores themes of social injustice and personal identity within a thrilling adventure.

Mary’s second adventure as an undercover agent forces her to relive some harrowing childhood experiences as she seeks the identity of a murderer. (Ages 12 and up) Mary Quinn is back, now a trusted member of the Agency, the allfemale detective unit operating out of Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls. Her new assignment sends her into the grimy underbelly of Victorian London dressed as a poor boy, evoking her own childhood memories of fear, hunger, and constant want. As she insinuates herself into the confidence of several persons of interest, she encounters others in desperate situations and struggles to make a difference without exposing --or losing --her identity. Mary’s adventure, which takes place on the building site of the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament, offers a fictional window into a fascinating historical time and place.