Review: The Traitor in the Tunnel

Title: The Traitor in the Tunnel
Author: Y.S. Lee
Series: The Agency #3
Published: 2012 by Candlewick Press
Obtained: Library
Version:  Hardcover

Queen Victoria has a problem: there’s a petty thief at work in Buckingham Palace. Charged with discretion, the Agency assigns quick-witted Mary Quinn to the case. Posing as a domestic in the royal household and fending off the attentions of a feckless Prince of Wales are challenge enough, but when the prince witnesses a murder in an opium den – and scandal threatens the royal family – Mary learns that the accused killer may be someone very close to her.

Engineer and former flame James Easton, meanwhile, has his own assignment, in the sewers beneath the palace, where someone is making illicit use of the tunnels. Can Mary and James put their simmering feelings aside long enough to expose the trespasser – and avert disaster?

Steeped in suspense, romance, and high Victorian intrigue, this third book in the acclaimed Agency series finds secret agent Mary Quinn tackling her most personal case yet.

First Sentence:
“The old man was all but barefoot, with only a mismatched pair of leather flaps, much eroded by time and wear, bound to his feet with strips of rags.” (Prologue)

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Have I by chance ever mentioned that I love this series? Perhaps once or twice…..
My reviews of the first and second books in this amazing series can be found here:
#1 - The Spy in the House
#2 - The Body at the Tower
So if you haven’t had the chance yet to pick up the first two books, you might want to hold off on reading this review.

I FREAKING LOVE THESE SO MUCHHHH!!!!

First off it’s the historical-ness of it. Never before has the London of the past been so utterly filthy, realistic, scary, and un-romantic. This book dealt with Queen Victoria and her family which was a nice difference from the first two.
And that leads me to my second reason for love: The differences in plot. Each book has had a completely different concept behind it. The mystery changes along with Mary’s maturity and skill level. As she gets tougher and better, things get harder and more personal.

This book finally brings Mary’s family, particularly her father, back into focus, and it’s fascinating and heartbreaking to watch her go through the full gamut of emotions concerning him. Also, the surprising, but not really surprising, changes with the Academy/Agency create greater and more creative options for the next story. I’m SO excited to see where this all goes, while I also feel really terrible about all that happened.

And the final showdown, like all good mysteries should have, was fantastic!!! This one was more of a random shock and less scary than the past two, but I was still worried for Mary and James.

James. Oh how I adore thee. So those who have read the other two were probably pretty upset on how things got left at the end of the first one…..and then again at the end of the second one. NO FEARS HERE! Since it’s the only thing that makes sense, of course they once again get thrown into each other’s paths and once again realize that YES THEY ARE PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Side character love: Octavius Jones. What an annoying man! But goodness, as a detestable side character, he rocks it! I kind of love him even though I’m supposed to hate him.

I’m pretty sure one more book is coming, although if it didn’t I would be content with this ending. But I CAN’T WAIT if one is coming out!!!! :D

Thank you Y.S. Lee for creating such amazing characters and such heart-stopping action/mystery that makes me feel right there in the emotion and adventure. I love you.

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Content Warnings: Frequent uses of a mild curse word, sexual harassment, and kissing.

Rating:

For everything.