The Body at the Tower

Title:  The Body at the Tower (The Agency, # 2)

Author: Y.S. Lee

Publisher:  Candlewick

Release Date:  August 10, 2010

Received From:  Publisher via Traveling 2 Teens

This is another colourful, action-packed Victorian detective novel about the exploits of agent Mary Quinn. At a young age, Mary Quinn is rescued from ...more This is another colourful, action-packed Victorian detective novel about the exploits of agent Mary Quinn. At a young age, Mary Quinn is rescued from the gallows and taken to Miss Scrimshaw's Academy for Girls. The school turns out to be a front for a private detective agency. At age 17, Mary takes on her first case (A Spy in the House). In this, the second book of the series, Mary Quinn sets out to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death at St. Stephen's Tower, better known as the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament. The accident occurred after hours in a highly public part of town and despite the presence of night watchmen. Mary, disguised as Mark Quinn, becomes a builder's assistant to find out the truth about the body at the tower.

Warning slight spoilers for the first book. And possibly some fangirling.

I love historical fiction. I like to go back in time and see an event or place through different eyes. Mary Quinn is a fabulous heroine, she is spunky, fun, strong-willed, and doesn't let anything get in her way. It was cool to see another side of Mary, and to delve deeper into her past. 


I liked the variety of characters in this second installment. I felt that there were more different types of characters that really added to the storyline. Also.... James is back! Yay, I was so excited James was one of my favorite characters from the first book and I enjoyed seeing their relationship grow throughout this novel. 


The plot of this novel was good, it was fact paced and left me guessing. Lee also does a great job of building tension and setting. I found myself completely immersed in the book and completely captivated by the storyline. I really enjoyed how different this book was from the first one, Lee was in no way lazy in creating a new story. 


I don't want to give anything away so I will stop now, but the minute I finished this book I ran to my computer to double check that there was a third book! So I totally recommend that you pick up this novel when it comes out tomorrow, especially if you like mystery and historical fiction!


Make sure to check out the rest of the tour as well as my guest post with Y.S. Lee!

Mon. 8/2 - Kristi (The Story Siren)
Tues. 8/3 - Kristen (Bookworming in the 21st Century)
Wed. 8/4 - Sarah GreenBeanTeenQueen
Thurs. 8/5 - Lizzy (Cornucopia of Reviews)
Fri. 8/6 - Ari (Reading in Color)
Mon. 8/9 - Mariah  (A Reader's Adventure)
Tues. 8/10 - Steph Su (Steph Su Reads)
Wed. 8/11 - Cecilia (The Epic Rat)
Thurs. 8/12 - Laura (Laura’s Review Bookshelf)
Fri. 8/13 - The Book Smugglers