The Agency: Rivals in the City
Binding: Paperback
Imprint: Candlewick
In her fourth adventure, available in paperback for the first time, Mary Quinn no longer has the Agency to support her — just James Easton.
Though Mary has officially left the Agency, her former superiors have asked her to take on a dangerous case: convicted fraudster Henry Thorold is dying in prison, and Mary must watch for the return of his estranged wife, herself a notorious criminal with a potentially deadly grudge against James Easton, who wants to wed Mary. And Mary can't shake the feeling that a Chinese prizefighter newly arrived in town is somehow familiar. With the stakes higher than ever, can Mary balance family secrets, conflicting loyalties, and professional expertise to bring a criminal to justice and find her own happiness?
Creators
Y.S. Lee has a Ph.D. in Victorian literature and culture and says her research inspired her to write Book One of The Agency trilogy. "Women's choices were grim in those days, even for the clever," she says. "The Agency is a totally unrealistic, completely fictitious antidote to the fate that would otherwise swallow a girl like Mary Quinn." Y. S. Lee lives in Ontario, Canada.
Reviews
Intrigue, romance and the rich details of Victorian life are the focus in the fourth installment of this mystery series featuring a complex female detective. … As with the previous volumes, the elements of Victorian life are well-drawn, adding rich texture to the storytelling. … Readers of the series will find this addition deeply satisfying as both a mystery and a historical romance.
Kirkus Reviews
Lee’s intricate details of Victorian life strike an easy balance with the cozy mystery elements that will keep fans coming for more.
School Library Journal
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