A Spy in the House (The Agency #1) in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

May 22, 2016 Nadine in NY Jones rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, historical-fiction, young-adult, era-victorian

3-1/2 stars, rounded up to 4.

This book surprised me by being solidly YA. I like reading YA, but I was expecting something more complex and nuanced than what I got. The bad guy was immediately obvious to me, and Mary didn't even consider the possibility until page 303 or so; as a result, she didn't seem terribly clever. But okay, this is YA so the plot is a bit simpler, and this was Mary's first mission (but far from my first mystery novel), so that all fits. I'm not usually one to cry "argh! An ...more

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Aug 08, 2010 Shelley rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical, youth, mystery

My first impression is that it's Edwardian Torchwood without aliens. (Anne and Felicity remind me a lot of Alice and Emily - definite tension there.) A little too complicated, with every character having secrets and agendas and never knowing who to trust. It also started a bit overwritten and overwrought. But I like Mary and James, the plot was interesting, and I'll definitely look for the rest of the series. ...more

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Jun 29, 2010 Gwennie rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, teens

Strong heroine, mysterious goings-on, and a secret past. Everything a great teen book needs. Did I mention the heroine is an orphan? Of course she is!

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Jan 29, 2015 Journeywoman rated it really liked it

Shelves: w-30-new-books-in-2015

This held me and let me go. Held me and let me go. I loved the non-white protagonist, but some of the other things just didn't hold me.

I will read the next one though. ...more

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