Title: The Traitor in the Tunnel (The Agency #3)
Author: Y.S. Lee
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: February 28, 2012
Genre: YA, Historical Mystery
Other books in the series:
A Spy in the House (book #1)
The Body at the Tower (book #2)
Rivals in the City (book #4) Released date to be announced
How I Got It: Net Galley for review
Goodreads Summary:
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.
I have never read a bad review about this series but had always put off reading the books. I picked this one up through Net Galley and promptly realized that I had been an idiot for not reading this series sooner.
Lee has created wonderful characters and uses her historic setting for more than just set dressing. Mary Quinn is very good detective, works well undercover, and can think on her feet. However, she is half Chinese and had turned to thievery as a young girl to stay alive. Mary fears that if her past or parentage were discovered it could destroy all of her dreams. the Chinese in particular are not currently popular with the British and anyone of mixed heritage is basically considered worthless and untrustworthy. While the directors of The Agency were the ones to rescue her from jail, should others find out her criminal past she could end back in jail and headed to the gallows. Despite these dangers Mary loves her work, and while everything else in her life might be uncertain, she is wholly confident in her abilities to do her job.
James, her romantic interest, is also a product of his times. He has been pretty horrible to Mary at times because of her background, but more of it's a knee jerk reaction and him being an idiot, not cruelty. She recognizes that while she loves him, James has been very hurtful at times and realistically could never be with her. It is hard for her to separate from him completely, especially when he can help with her current assignment. But she knows that she deserves better treatment, and I liked that her character was strong enough to demand that.
The mystery and story itself were entertaining. Yes, I was able to figure out some of the mystery, but it didn't bother me. I was enjoying Lee's characters and the story itself. the story read quickly and every bit of it was fun.
Lee has created wonderful characters and uses her historic setting for more than just set dressing. Mary Quinn is very good detective, works well undercover, and can think on her feet. However, she is half Chinese and had turned to thievery as a young girl to stay alive. Mary fears that if her past or parentage were discovered it could destroy all of her dreams. the Chinese in particular are not currently popular with the British and anyone of mixed heritage is basically considered worthless and untrustworthy. While the directors of The Agency were the ones to rescue her from jail, should others find out her criminal past she could end back in jail and headed to the gallows. Despite these dangers Mary loves her work, and while everything else in her life might be uncertain, she is wholly confident in her abilities to do her job.
James, her romantic interest, is also a product of his times. He has been pretty horrible to Mary at times because of her background, but more of it's a knee jerk reaction and him being an idiot, not cruelty. She recognizes that while she loves him, James has been very hurtful at times and realistically could never be with her. It is hard for her to separate from him completely, especially when he can help with her current assignment. But she knows that she deserves better treatment, and I liked that her character was strong enough to demand that.
The mystery and story itself were entertaining. Yes, I was able to figure out some of the mystery, but it didn't bother me. I was enjoying Lee's characters and the story itself. the story read quickly and every bit of it was fun.
Verdict:
While I read this series out of order and still had no problems, it would definitely be more enjoyable to read the books in order. Lee has created a strong and relatable character in Mary - a characters readers will root for. While technically a YA book, I've been recommending it to my Middle Grades readers and the books don't stay on the shelf long. the Traitor in the Tunnel, and The Agency series in general, is a good one to pick up for a fun, light, but quality read.
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2 comments:
Great review. This series is right now one of my favourites in the YA section. I just love the setting and the characters.
May 6, 2012 at 8:58 AMI wouldn't have given this book another thought NORMALLY. But your review made me really want to pick up the series and try it out. :)
May 8, 2012 at 4:22 PMPost a Comment