A Spy in the House by YS Lee

A Spy in the House by YS Lee takes place in London in 1858 and centers on Mary Quinn, a young woman with remarkable talents. Mary is given a choice when she is 12 years old: hang for being a thief and a beggar, or attend a charity school. The 12 year old is determined after a rough life that she’s prepared to die, that there’s not much hope for her, but when actually given a choice (and an escape), Mary becomes a new pupil at Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls.

Fast forward 5 years. Mary is now 17 and a junior teacher at the Academy. She has tried training in a number of professions available to women at her time, and each leaves Mary feeling something is missing. The two headmistresses of the Academy meet with Mary and reveal to Mary they are members of the Agency, a group of woman who assist the police (and other private inquirers) by placing female agents in positions close to suspects. Mary is shocked, but is excited by this prospect.

After her brief training, Mary begins her first assignment, meant to listen & observe. Of course, being the headstrong person she is, Mary decides to take matters into her own hands to make sure she gets the information she is after. It’s a good story of intrigue about the case and mystery about the character of Mary (there’s more to her than even she is willing to admit). A fun, fast moving historical fiction novel that I hope will be the first in a series!