The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel

Name: The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel
ISBN: 9780763659592

by Y. S. Lee

As a detective for The Agency, Mary Quinn poses as a domestic at Buckingham Palace to solve a petty theft, only to stumble upon a murder, a royal scandal, and a shocking link to her long-lost father.

About This Book

"The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel" plunges readers into a world of high Victorian intrigue, suspense, and budding romance. Mary Quinn, a quick-witted detective for a secret agency, goes undercover at Buckingham Palace to investigate a minor theft. However, the case quickly escalates when she uncovers a murder, a scandalous connection to the Prince of Wales, and a deeply personal link to her own past through the accused killer. This book is ideal for young adult readers aged 12-18 who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, and strong female protagonists. Parents should be aware of themes involving murder, opium dens (as a setting for a crime), and peril, though handled appropriately for the age group. It offers a compelling blend of historical detail, thrilling plot twists, and character development, making it a great choice for independent reading and discussion.

Get steeped in suspense, romance, and high Victorian intrigue as Mary goes undercover at Buckingham Palace — and learns a startling secret at the Tower of London. Queen Victoria has a little problem: there’s a petty thief at work in Buckingham Palace. Charged with discretion, the Agency puts quickwitted Mary Quinn on the case, where she must pose as a domestic while fending off the attentions of a feckless Prince of Wales. But when the prince witnesses the murder of one of his friends in an opium den, the potential for scandal looms large. And Mary faces an even more unsettling possibility: the accused killer, a Chinese sailor imprisoned in the Tower of London, shares a name with her long-lost father. Meanwhile, engineer James Easton, Mary’s onetime paramour, is at work shoring up the sewers beneath the palace, where an unexpected tunnel seems to be very much in use. Can Mary and James trust each other (and put their simmering feelings aside) long enough to solve the mystery and protect the Royal Family? Hoist on your waders for Mary’s most personal case yet, where the stakes couldn’t be higher — and she has everything to lose.

Concepts

Fear & Bravery Resilience & Perseverance Love & Family Friendship & Loyalty Honesty & Integrity

Discussion Prompts

How does Mary balance her duty to the Agency with her personal quest to learn about her father?

What challenges does Mary face as a young woman working undercover in Victorian society?

How does the book use the historical setting of Victorian London to enhance the mystery and suspense?

Discuss the role of trust between Mary and James, both professionally and personally.

What does the book reveal about social issues or class differences in Victorian England?

External Reviews