Scan barcode
casey550's review against another edition
4.0
Cute and clever read. I’m curious how the series will proceed.
lmplovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I started out really liking this book as I was intrigued by the mystery, but I found myself tiring of it by the end. Set in Victorian England the action and dialogue was often too contemporary.
rebecca_readitreviewit's review against another edition
3.0
Pleasant read
Set in Victorian London it was interesting and kept me engaged. The concept is unique and intriguing. I will most likely check out the rest of the series.
Set in Victorian London it was interesting and kept me engaged. The concept is unique and intriguing. I will most likely check out the rest of the series.
sarahsulliv's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to REALLY like this book because it has so many things I like, including orphans, 19th century London and feminism. But while it was enjoyable and I would read more in the series, it didn't blow me away either.
chrisannee's review against another edition
2.0
Promising and unfulfilled. The idea is attractive, the message of feminism often-- but not always-- too visible, and the exchanges between the two main characters are cleverly worded and often demand a chuckle. She has talent but doesn't play to her strengths. Also, the book should begin with the second or third chapter. Much more thrilling. Yet, I am ready and even willing to give her a second chance. And I will.
Am I becoming a stuck-up, opinionated pseudo-editor? Yeah.
Am I becoming a stuck-up, opinionated pseudo-editor? Yeah.
pixelandink's review against another edition
2.0
The closer I got to the end of the book, the more I just wanted it to be over already! I just felt like it got dragged out more than it needed to. I have the next 2 books of this series in my 'to read' list, but honestly, I'm not sure I'll read them anytime soon.
mikayla_ka's review against another edition
5.0
Incredibly charming. Loved the characters and the story
everydayreading's review against another edition
3.0
Quite good. Reminded me a little of The Luxe, but not as awesome.
patricia_nascimento's review against another edition
3.0
RATING: 3 stars.
"A Spy in the House" is the first book in a new series featuring Mary Quinn, a Victorian heroine.
It's 1858 and Mary Quinn (formerly a street urchin) is drafted into "The Agency", a mysterious organization where all the agents are (apparently) women. The supposition that women are easily ignored because they are considered beings of inferior understanding is what drives this Agency. According to the leaders, women make the better spies.
So, Mary is sent on her first mission: to be a paid companion to the daughter of a rich merchant who seems to be smuggling jewels. She is to keep her ears open and report back. Seems like a fairly simple mission... except that Mary isn't happy with just sitting back and listening; and there is James Easton, a handsome engineer who is also investigating her charges.
At first glance, "A Spy in the House" looks like a fun mystery with lively characters, plenty of suspense and some romance. It is an entertaining read, sure. But there are too many inconsistencies with the plot construction and world building.
While I recognize Mary is not your typical female (she is an agent after all) I still didn't understand James' reactions to her behavior. He seems to take the fact that she's a sleuth and dresses like a boy more or less in stride. It's something that you see a lot in historical romances, but there it has a purpose. In a YA book that is first and foremost a historical mystery I really don't think it worked. I mean, Mary might be ahead of her time but she still has to conform to the norms of Victorian society. That didn't happen... there were a few occasions when her reputation would have been severely compromised. It kind of bothered me because if she was trying to prove that women are better spies then the best thing to do was to behave as a model of Victorian female perfection... which she didn't.
Another problem I had with the book: Mary and James didn't seem all that smart. She agrees to enter "a partnership" with a virtual stranger (James) because he told her he was investigating the Thorolds (the family she was meant to watch); he believed her story about investigating the disappearance of a maid, yet wasn't suspicious even once when she seemed more interested in the Thorold's financial records.
Also, the chemistry between James and Mary? Not good.
Overall: "A Spy in the House" was an interesting debut, with a compelling mystery, yes, but still rather lackluster. The mystery, the characters' behavior and the world building were implausible really. While I liked the book in general I felt there were many flaws in the portrayal of Victorian life, beliefs and behavior.
"A Spy in the House" is the first book in a new series featuring Mary Quinn, a Victorian heroine.
It's 1858 and Mary Quinn (formerly a street urchin) is drafted into "The Agency", a mysterious organization where all the agents are (apparently) women. The supposition that women are easily ignored because they are considered beings of inferior understanding is what drives this Agency. According to the leaders, women make the better spies.
So, Mary is sent on her first mission: to be a paid companion to the daughter of a rich merchant who seems to be smuggling jewels. She is to keep her ears open and report back. Seems like a fairly simple mission... except that Mary isn't happy with just sitting back and listening; and there is James Easton, a handsome engineer who is also investigating her charges.
At first glance, "A Spy in the House" looks like a fun mystery with lively characters, plenty of suspense and some romance. It is an entertaining read, sure. But there are too many inconsistencies with the plot construction and world building.
While I recognize Mary is not your typical female (she is an agent after all) I still didn't understand James' reactions to her behavior. He seems to take the fact that she's a sleuth and dresses like a boy more or less in stride. It's something that you see a lot in historical romances, but there it has a purpose. In a YA book that is first and foremost a historical mystery I really don't think it worked. I mean, Mary might be ahead of her time but she still has to conform to the norms of Victorian society. That didn't happen... there were a few occasions when her reputation would have been severely compromised. It kind of bothered me because if she was trying to prove that women are better spies then the best thing to do was to behave as a model of Victorian female perfection... which she didn't.
Another problem I had with the book: Mary and James didn't seem all that smart. She agrees to enter "a partnership" with a virtual stranger (James) because he told her he was investigating the Thorolds (the family she was meant to watch); he believed her story about investigating the disappearance of a maid, yet wasn't suspicious even once when she seemed more interested in the Thorold's financial records.
Also, the chemistry between James and Mary? Not good.
Overall: "A Spy in the House" was an interesting debut, with a compelling mystery, yes, but still rather lackluster. The mystery, the characters' behavior and the world building were implausible really. While I liked the book in general I felt there were many flaws in the portrayal of Victorian life, beliefs and behavior.