The Agency for Scandal

Isabel Stanhope may be a member of the ‘ton’, that part of society that ruled (and still might) the lives of the rich and aristocratic in Great Britain, but she is hiding a secret that could get her family blacklisted by society.  Her late father had lost all of their money and it is now up to Isabel to keep her family solvent.  Thanks to her skill with keys and locks (gained from her father) she has been recruited into a secret investigation organization of women, called the Aviary, which aims to protect women from the machinations of powerful and unscrupulous men.  When they are faced with an opponent who might become the next Prime Minister, they need to try everything in their power in order to thwart his plans.  Isabel has also got to deal with a Duke that she is in love with, but who happens to be working for the secret service and their nemesis.  The scene is set for lots of intrigue and romance.

This is a fabulous book and despite its long length it was a compelling read.  Underlying the various experiences of all the women involved is the fact that women were seen as second-class citizens, despite the 1882 Married Women’s Property Act.  The book highlights the possibility of being put in an institution if the husband, brother or father cannot force them to do as they are bid.  We also see the ‘unconscious bias’ held by some men, as they really believe that they are protecting the fragile females in their live.  This would make for a fascinating discussion in the classroom or book club, especially about whether there are still elements retained today.  I have loved all of Laura Wood’s previous YA novels and this book shows that she just keeps getting better, I really do wish that there had been books like this in my youth; the nearest is Georgette Heyer, although most books are set in an earlier period.  Long may this author continue to enthral us with her works and I can’t wait for her next gem.