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vbenford's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
x_librarian's review against another edition
3.0
A fun Victorian era spy novel. I think there were perhaps a few too many threads of the story. I thought some of the connections were tennuous, but the story was still enjoyable and I look forward to the next in the series.
On a different note, something about the book reminded me of Ivy by Julie Hearn, although I couldn't say what, since the only thing the novels have in common is setting and protagonists with sad backgrounds.
On a different note, something about the book reminded me of Ivy by Julie Hearn, although I couldn't say what, since the only thing the novels have in common is setting and protagonists with sad backgrounds.
mickachoo's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book so much! The time it's set in, the main characters, the style of writing. I loved it all. Mary is a wonderful female MC and the way the author switches smoothly between the narration of her and James is sooo nice.
I would've enjoyed a bit more details and in depth tellings of the things that took place but nonethless, it was a nice, quick read.
I would've enjoyed a bit more details and in depth tellings of the things that took place but nonethless, it was a nice, quick read.
kebreads's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book and look forward to reading more in the series.
jezebe11e's review against another edition
I got super busy and accidentally ran out of time on my library loan before I could finish. I'd like to pick this up again in the future.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first in a series featuring Mary Quinn (nee Lang), a Chinese-English young woman rescued from the gallows by some formidable women who have founded a school for young woman at risk. Having raised and educated her, so that she might become a teacher and be able to support herself, the headmistress now asks Mary is she’d like a more advanced position. The school, it seems, is but a front for The Agency – an organization of women detectives providing undercover investigations. No one, it seems, takes notice of women, so they are perfectly placed to observe and collect vital information.
Mary’s first assignment is to be the companion of a spoiled teen daughter of a wealthy merchant who, it seems, is committing insurance fraud. Placed in the Therold household, Mary is told to observe and report, but she should not be taking action. Her eagerness to impress cannot be suppressed for long, however.
Mary is intelligent, inquisitive, observant and compassionate. She is also self-possessed, resilient and quite capable of getting herself out of a jam, though Victorian gentlemen are prone to coming to her rescue regardless of her own abilities.
I had previously read book two in the series and enjoyed it, but wanted to start from the beginning to get more of Mary’s background. I look forward to reading more books in this series, and more from this author.
Mary’s first assignment is to be the companion of a spoiled teen daughter of a wealthy merchant who, it seems, is committing insurance fraud. Placed in the Therold household, Mary is told to observe and report, but she should not be taking action. Her eagerness to impress cannot be suppressed for long, however.
Mary is intelligent, inquisitive, observant and compassionate. She is also self-possessed, resilient and quite capable of getting herself out of a jam, though Victorian gentlemen are prone to coming to her rescue regardless of her own abilities.
I had previously read book two in the series and enjoyed it, but wanted to start from the beginning to get more of Mary’s background. I look forward to reading more books in this series, and more from this author.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
DNF
Couldn’t make it through the first prologue it was so slow for me
Couldn’t make it through the first prologue it was so slow for me
sophia_hcm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
fast-paced
misspippireads's review against another edition
5.0
I read the book first and wanted to give the audiobook a test run. I was a little uneasy because I enjoyed the story I created in my head. The narrator was fantastic! I would recommend this story as an audiobook or as a book for you to read on your own. As always, you can do both!
sraelling's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0