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A Spy in the House
A Spy in the House: A Mary Quinn Mystery | Ying S. Lee
41 posts | 51 read | 37 to read
At a young age, Mary is rescued from the gallows by a woman masquerading as a prison warden. She is taken to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. The school, Mary learns, is a front for a private investigation agency and, at 17, she is taken on as an agent. In her new role she is catapulted into the family home of the Thorolds to investigate the shady business dealings of Mr Thorold.
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RebeccaRoo7
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Just started this one yesterday and I am loving it! "A Spy in the House" is a great book for ages 12+. I'm only 1/3 of the way through it, but so far I'm hooked. Luckily for me there are 3 other books in this series.

#middlegrade #spy #mystery #adventure #historical #fiction #series #London #book1

4 likes1 stack add
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HufflepuffBruja
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When a book on your TBR and its series are digitally on sale for $0.99 each... 😎

#bookhaul #bibliophile #iheartbooks

3 likes1 stack add
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Bookfan1414
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Pickpick

Rather well done. Entrancing enough to read in one sitting and then borrow the following books.

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humouress

Nice, so far, but I‘m having difficulty identifying the time period between crinolines, white tie and dinner jackets, tennis matches and filing cabinets
💖 💖 💖 🤍 🤍

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CBee
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Pickpick

#LMPBC for January complete!! No spoilers, but I enjoyed it 😁😁👍🏻👍🏻
@HappilyEverKrafter @robinb @suvata #GroupG #Round10

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robinb
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Pickpick

This was my #LMPBC #GroupG for December, and the beginning of a series. I won‘t do a full review here yet (until after our round is finished), but I did enjoy it.

@CBee @HappilyEverKrafter @suvata

CBee Woot! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
robinb UPDATE: Overall I enjoyed this one. I believe it is listed as a YA book, but I think it could be appreciated by a wider audience as well.

Set in 1850s London, Mary Quinn, a poor 12 year old orphan, is sentenced to hang for stealing when she is rescued by the headmistress of a very selective academy for girls. She is educated, both intellectually and socially, and at 17 is asked to be a member of The Agency, a secret spy group made up of 🔻
(edited) 4y
robinb young women from the academy who assist Scotland Yard gathering evidence for arrests.

She insinuates herself as a lady‘s companion into the home of a wealthy shipping merchant who is suspected of insurance fraud among other things. She has various adventures and is aided by new friends in her mission. 🔻
4y
robinb There are some twists and turns, and the villain(s) become fairly obvious, but the unique idea behind the academy and Mary herself kept me interested. 4/5⭐️ 4y
47 likes4 comments
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Sace
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Pickpick

I don't want to say too much about it since I read it for #LMPBC. It's a pick. A light read that shouldn't tax your brain. I'm on the fence about reading other books in the series.

@HappilyEverKrafter @robinb @CBee

CBee I‘m working on my book but it‘s slow going. I‘m having to get used to writing notes! It‘s weird 😂😂😂 4y
robinb I'm currently reading mine. Should be finished tonight/tomorrow. Glad you liked yours! Mine is sort of a mixed bag, but overall it's OK so far. Looking forward to reading yours! 4y
robinb @CBee I remember my first #LMPBC...it is hard! :) I'd be bebopping along and suddenly think...shoot, I'm supposed to be highlighting/commenting on things that catch my attention! :) I'm actually reading the Kindle version of mine and highlighting on there. Then I'll go back and highlight/comment/provide review in the actual book. LOL (edited) 4y
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CBee @robinb that‘s a good idea!! I wish I‘d thought of that - maybe next time 😁😁 4y
robinb @CBee I probably wouldn‘t have done it that way, but my book was on a Kindle sale. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 4y
CBee @robinb might see if I can grab mine from Libby 🤔 4y
62 likes6 comments
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Sace
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#FirstLineFridays @ShyBookOwl

"She should have been listening to the judge."

(I really should do this more often, but sometimes I'm reading the same book for weeks. ?)

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Sace
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I'm a pretty slow reader so I'm getting a jump start on one of my #LMPBC books this week. @CBee @HappilyEverKrafter @robinb

CBee Hooray!! 4y
robinb 😊👍 4y
71 likes1 stack add2 comments
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AutumnRLS
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This week's book mail.

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MargaretPinardAuthor
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Pickpick

A well-turned-out #historical #mystery, if a little prim. Would read more, especially *spoiler alert* where the heroine gets a HEA! 😝

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Jillylovesbooks
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Mehso-so

I wish we were given more details of the spy training process and that the actual mission was more interesting. The MC was distracted by her love interest and personal drama during the whole book. I‘m willing to give the rest of the series a chance to see the resolution to the questions raised in this book. #readingwomenchallenge2019 - A book that is part of a series #YA

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casvelyn
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Finished 2 of 8 on vacation. Not too bad I don't think.

3 likes1 stack add
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Grrlbrarian
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So I went in to pick up the tagged book on hold for me.... #sorrynotsorry #LitsyProblems

GatheringBooks oh wow. the priory looks like a serious chunkster. 6y
Addison_Reads That's an awesome TBR stack. 😍 6y
Grrlbrarian It‘s a roach killer all right, @GatheringBooks - 804 pages plus appendices 6y
Copwithabook Have you read The Priory of the Orange yet? It‘s on my TBR 5y
Grrlbrarian @Copwithabook I haven‘t 😭 Had to return it because I ran out of time. I need to get back to it! 5y
44 likes5 comments
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DaveGreen7777
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Another great #ManicMonday to start my week out right! Thanks, @JoScho 😀

📖 “A Spy in the House” by Y.S. Lee
🍿 “The House on Haunted Hill” (The Vincent Price version, not the 💩 remake with Geoffrey Rush!)
🎶 “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue (I can‘t help it, I‘m a child of the 80s!) 🙈

JoScho 💙🏡💙 6y
39 likes1 comment
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Shley9225
Mehso-so

I am usually a huge fan of historical fiction, and the idea of a covert girl spy in historical London sounded super awesome. And while the book ended up being okay, it didn‘t quite live up to my expectations. I just had trouble getting invested in the plot or characters. Regardless it was JUST good enough that I was willing to try the second book in the series

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Crewgurl
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Congrats on your milestones ladies! My top two tbr are A Spy in the House and Dread Nation (Ireland)! @Ingerella @Madamereginald #sistersgiveaway

Ingerella Thanks for entering! 7y
Crewgurl @Ingerella I entered days ago but spelled the hashtag incorrectly 😂 (edited) 7y
9 likes2 comments
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writerlibrarian
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Mehso-so

Young woman becomes spy in Victorian London. Mary Quinn (16 years old) goes under cover for the first time. Somewhat slow pace and a lot of telling for the firt third of the book. It does pick up and rushes the end with the cliche vilain monologue. I‘m not sure I‘ll read the second book.

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writerlibrarian
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This book will be done by the time the 3rd period is over. 😀
🍁 and Sabres meet again.
#readingandlisteningtohockey

writerlibrarian Leafs are ahead 1-0. Sabres on PP tied the game. 1-1. Matthews puts the 🍁 ahead again. 2-1. Matts to Willy and goal. 3-1. Willy scores again. 4-1. Sabres shortens the lead with a PP goal. 4-2. Willy to Matts and goal. 5-2. (edited) 7y
43 likes1 stack add1 comment
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writerlibrarian
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Last game between these Metro rivals. Ovi and Sid going head to head. Almost done with Spy in the house. #readingandlisteningtohockey

writerlibrarian Puck drop in a few. Here we go. Oshie scores and gets the Caps on the board. 1-0. Pens on PP. No goal. Pens on PP then get a 5 on 3. Nothing. Then Horny was taken out along Wilson. Orlov scores right after they are out of the 📦 2-0 Caps. Not the 🐧 night. They trail 3-0 (edited) 7y
44 likes1 stack add1 comment
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writerlibrarian
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Saturday night is 🏒 night in 🇨🇦. Habs in Pittsburgh. Jets in Toronto. Probably will hop between the two. Spy in the House did pick up the pace. I'm at 50% and it's keeping me interested finally. #readingandwatchinghockey

P.S. Yeah, Crosby was howling after scoring in OT in Jersey earlier this week.

writerlibrarian Puck drop in a few m. A bad bounce goes the Habs ways but the 🐧 tie it right up. 1all. Pens on PP ... and... goal. 2-1. Back on PP. no goal. But Pens put one from behind the net. 3-1. Habs on PP score right at the end of the period. 3rd period is usually good for the Pens and... PP goal from Phil Kessel. And another PP for the 🐧 and GOAL. 5-2 Pens win and punch their ticket to the playoffs. (edited) 7y
32 likes1 comment
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writerlibrarian
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🍁 can punch their ticket to the playoffs tonight. Let's hope the 🍁 play better than the 🐧 last night. YA book is interesting if a little bit slow paced. #readingandwatchinghockey

Melissa_J I had no idea the Leafs were playing tonight! 7y
MonikaS Go Leafs Go!!!! 7y
writerlibrarian @Melissa_J It's the Wednesday night SportNet game. 😁 7y
writerlibrarian Here we go. How good is Marner? So good.... 1-0 🍁 Auston had to get one too. His 30th. 2-0 🍁 Marleau from Marner and goal. 3-0 Huberdeau scores and even makes it DING 3-1 Huberdeau shaves the lead by one again. 3-2 JVR makes it 4-2. 🍁 win. (edited) 7y
37 likes4 comments
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writerlibrarian
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Pens in Detroit. Started a new book and so far it's okay. #readingandwatchinghockey

writerlibrarian Puck drop. 35s in 1 nothing Pens. Sid hits the net again. Detroit ties the game. Pens are not playing well on the PK, Wings score on PP 2-1. Added another one. 3-1 . 4-1 Pens are playing horribly tonight. (edited) 7y
CarolynM Whoa! Love that picture of Sid!💗😋 7y
44 likes2 comments
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writerlibrarian
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Alternating between Caps in NY and Buffalo Toronto. The 🍁 game is a bit boring and Ovi is on a tear to get to 50 goals so it's a bit more up tempo. This new book is YA spy historical (Victorian) combo. So far it's a look of telling and not much showing. #readingandlisteningtohockey

Susanita Go Caps! 7y
writerlibrarian Caps are demolishing the Rangers 4-0 👊🏻 Alex got a goal (45) and an assist. Not a bad 20 m. After 2 periods 🍁 finally grt on the board and are up ahead 2-1. 🍁 are down by 1. 🍁 lose. (edited) 7y
42 likes2 comments
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sammisho
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Mehso-so

This was almost a pick, just didn't quite meet the mark. I never became invested in the MC, the case the mystery, or the romance. But I enjoyed the premise and idea of a women detective agency in the 1800s. I doubt I will ever pick up this series again.

Abby-J I listened to this one. I liked the plot, but there was something off about the writing. The subject matter was very YA, but the tone sounded mid-grade (if that makes sense). 7y
sammisho @Abby-J that makes perfect sense. I could quite put my finger on the problem, but I think you nailed it. 7y
DaveGreen7777 I totally agree with you, I gave this 3 out of 5 stars. The premise had such promised, but with Mary‘s time at the academy being completely glossed over, the completely one-dimensional supporting cast characters (especially Angelica), and a lot of “tell, don‘t show”), this one fell mostly flat for me. At least Mary‘s spirit and her amusing banter with James still made it worth reading for me. (edited) 6y
34 likes1 stack add3 comments
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sammisho
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Does anyone else have a book light permanently clipped to their bed board? Told the hubby, it is just part of our bedroom decor now.

BookFreakOut This is some solid motivation for me to get a headboard! 7y
WarpedSweetness @BookFreakOut I know right?! 7y
suvata No, but it‘s a great idea 💡 7y
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BookwormAHN Mine is actually permanently curled over my headboard 😸 7y
CaliforniaCay This is genius! 7y
LoverofLit Mine is clipped to my nightstand! 7y
sammisho @LoverofLit Great Minds! 7y
44 likes7 comments
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Verity
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Sunday night book: this is fresh off the tbr shelves after I finished the Mary Balogh. I‘ve heard good things about this so I‘m looking forward to it.

MarriedtoMrT I loved this one! 7y
21 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Jediash1
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Pickpick

This is a fun, quick read, a mystery set in Victorian London. Mary Quinn has to steal to survive after she's orphaned and is rescued from the gallows by Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. She later learns the school is a cover for an investigative organization called the Agency, and she is recruited as an undercover detective. I'd like to read more in this series!

11 likes2 stack adds
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dastevensish
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Pickpick

Love when the library allows me to indulge my whims at a moment's notice. @WOCreads posted about this series the other day, and for some reason it sounded utterly perfect for my mood. I was utterly charmed by it, and definitely plan to spend more time Mary Quinn. Third book down for #boutofbooks but hope to finish another one or two this weekend. #readdiversebooks

WOCreads Yay, so happy you loved it!🙌 Isn't Mary great? Just finished book 2 myself. Eva's got the best recs 😊 8y
dastevensish @WOCreads You're pretty damn good with the recs yourself, as my wish list can attest! 😊 8y
WOCreads Heh thanks😘 I love your tbr piles! 8y
5 likes3 comments
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brandymuses
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Day 14: Reader That I Love
Here are my two favorite readers with our Valentine tradition of books and cupcakes. (They pick out their books.) #17booklove

brownekr What a great tradition! I might have to adopt it for myself... 8y
brandymuses @brownekr My kids LOVE it. They start talking about it in January. 8y
Chachic Aww cuties! 8y
6 likes3 comments
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ScorpioBookDreams
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November was one of those months when, looking back, I realised I didn't read any brilliant books. December will be better!

KellyK You had a much more productive November than I did... 😕for me but 🙂for you! 8y
ScorpioBookDreams @KellyK it just felt like a waste month. I could have been reading better books!! 8y
Sue Good work! Shame you didn't read anything you loved though :( 8y
72 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Linsy
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The only spy novel I've read recently. What I remember most clearly is the horrible smell of the Thames. This book was a fun escape, but it didn't make me want to go back in time. I'm glad I live in a now, when we don't just dump our sewage in the nearest river. #spynovels #photoadaynov16

Nebklvr I very much agree. Yech 8y
50 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Maririendome
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Pickpick

#photoadaynov16 #spynovels this serie is about Mary Quinn who was save by a secret agency of women spys and the difficulties of being a woman in the XIX century. I borrow this in the winter when i was sick and by mistake take the second book first and was a fun great read and love it.

Esta serie de libros se trata sobre Mary Quinn que es salvada por una agencia de espias mujeres y las dificultades de ser mujer en ek S XIX

@RealLifeReading

12 likes1 stack add
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Bookzombie
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#photoadaynov16 Day 22 As much as I love a spy movie, I can't find that I have read any spy books. 😳 This one has been on my TBR for awhile. I think I heard about it from a @bookriot podcast. #spynovels

44 likes3 stack adds
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ScorpioBookDreams
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A bit late but here's my November #tbr pile. Trying to keep it reasonable this month!! #photoadaynov16

Cinfhen I LOVED To The Bright Edge Of The World, but it took me almost two weeks to read it! It's the kind of book, you need to take slow and savor. Hope you enjoy it 😊 8y
SarahKat84 I also have To the Bright Edge of the World on my TBR. Really loved her first book. Definitely a doorstopper. Just hope I can finish it before it's due back at the library 🤓 8y
Laura317 I listened to Vinegar Girl in audiobook. I thought it was cute. 8y
silentrequiem I loved the YS Lee series. 8y
74 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Abby-J
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Pickpick

The books in this historical YA mystery series are charming. The primary setting is an English prep school that secretly trains Victorian lady spies. It's kind of like Nancy Drew meets Harry Potter in costume drama. The main character is of mixed heritage (Irish and Chinese), and struggles with her racial identity and what it means in Victorian London. It's not fine literature, but it's entertaining in that Nancy Drew way. #booktober #school

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bookwrm526
Pickpick

A quick, fun YA mystery/adventure. I listened to it on audio and it flew by!

12 likes1 stack add
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bookwrm526
Pickpick

A quick, fun YA mystery/adventure. I listened to it on audio and it flew by!

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FoldedPagesDistillery
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Mehso-so

3/5 stars I think this is the perfect starter book for 14 and up interested in regency type spy and romance. I wanted more of the actual "spy" storyline in this, but otherwise found it to be one of those books that need to be judged as a series than individual books.

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Baileythebookworm
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Pickpick

Books about badass ladies as detectives and/or spies are like catnip for me. I devoured this one