Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past. [summary from Goodreads]
I've been wanting to read this since it was released in the UK last April. At long last, it has a US cover though, and isn't it GORGEOUS? It reminds me so much of "children's classics" such as The Little Princess, Little Women, etc. I don't read much historical fiction, but this one definitely has a very action-adventure-y feel, a la Sherlock Holmes (incidentally, who else saw this movie recently in theatres and wanted more of the same feel in stories?), and I really want to read it!
But man, I'm torn as to whether I like the US or UK covers more. I was lukewarm towards the UK cover (below, left), but then I saw the UK cover for the sequel, The Body at the Tower (August 2010):
Gorgeous colors, aren't they?
A Spy in the House will be published in hardcover by Candlewick on March 9, 2010.
I have not heard of this yet you say it was first published in the UK. I think it sounds fab!
ReplyDeleteThe US cover is gorgeous. Gives it that historical feel ..
ReplyDeleteLooks like a good book..
Oh, man. That book looks GREAT!
ReplyDeletethis look so good, and its suprising i've not heard of this one before considering its a UK release....may have to look into this
ReplyDeleteI want to read these too!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time actually hearing about this series and now I really want to read it.
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for this to come the US! Awesome. But I think I like the UK cover better...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one - I think you'll like it. And I love the US cover!
ReplyDeleteYou find the coolest books ever to highlight. My TBR is +1!
ReplyDeleteHi Steph, I'm so glad you like the new cover; I'm totally in love with it. My UK publisher is redesigning the cover for Body - it's not the one with the money/envelope, but this one: http://yslee.com/2009/12/giddy-excitement-with-catastrophe-for-dessert/. Thanks for the mention!
ReplyDeleteWow I've now seen 2 WOW posts. I really do want to read this book. I definitely love the U.S. cover better for the first book (it does remind me of old classics from childhood. Little Princess *happy sigh*) and I really like the new cover for the 2nd book.
ReplyDeleteI saw Sherlock Holmes and was totally wishing I could see similar things in books! The mystery wasn't as great to me (I would have prefered a murder/robbery etc. rather than magic) but I loved Sherlock and Watson and now i need to read the books :)
LOL! As a matter of fact, I just saw Sherlock Holmes Tuesday with a friend and totally agree with you. This sounds like an excellent book and so glad it is a series. I loved Nacny Drew and the Mandie books when I was little. Now there is finally a good mystery series that is both historical and realistic. No werewolves, vampires, or zombies yipee! lol.
ReplyDeleteAlso, must say I love the US covers better. They look so...well....mysterious. lol. but I do kinda like the UK covers as well. So glad you posted this. I'm going to have to check into this book.
~Briana
I hadn't heard of this one yet, but it sounds AWESOME! That's the third week in a row you've added to my TBR. And that's saying something, because I'm pretty on top of what's coming out ususally :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great book. There aren't very many like it around at the moment. I love the UK covers so much more than the US, though.
ReplyDelete