The Agency: A Spy in the House

Mary Quinn follows in the footsteps of Sally in Philip Pullman’s The Ruby in the Smoke, in becoming a Victorian lady detective working for the Agency of the title.

The Agency is run by two head teachers from the school where Mary is being educated, having been rescued from the gallows by the two ladies. They recruit her and send her to live as a companion to the daughter of the house of a Mr Thorold whom they suspect of handling stolen goods and more. While looking for clues, Mary meets James Easton in a wardrobe (while hiding!). James is also investigating Mr Thorold. The sparky relationship between Mary and James adds interest and colour to the story, which gets increasingly complicated, with an unlawful marriage witnessed by Mary and a surprise about Mary’s origins. Mary is not entirely frank with James about her investigations as she is bound to secrecy by the Agency.

This is the first of a planned trilogy and the scene is well set for the second volume with James leaving for Calcutta. There are some glaring mistakes in this novel which should have been picked up, if not by the author, then by her editors. For example on p.19 the word ‘envision’ is used, and would any self respecting Victorian gentleman have worn a dinner jacket (p.48)? However, this is a very readable and exciting debut novel with many twists and turns and Mary is a spirited heroine. The secret of her origins is a complete surprise to the reader and gives plenty of scope for plots to come.