Scan barcode
libliz's review against another edition
3.0
Best of the three with a cliched ending. Satisfied my summer trashy read needs.
lullha's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
burningupasun's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like on a large scale, I enjoyed this book. The plot was mostly tidy again, and the way Mary's family/background was addressed was weaved well into the other plot. I was glad simply to have her background addressed somewhat, and not just pushed away. In addition I was happy to see the progress in the romance in this book, I was worried it would repeat the previous two, and have them conveniently break apart at the end yet again.
However the book was somewhat spoiled for me by the scenes involving sexual harassment and what very nearly amounted to rape. It wasn't so much the first instance of harassment that bothered me so much as the second, or rather Mary's reaction to it.
Minus that, though, it was a good book, and I especially enjoyed the ending and the set-up for the fourth and final installment.
However the book was somewhat spoiled for me by the scenes involving sexual harassment and what very nearly amounted to rape. It wasn't so much the first instance of harassment that bothered me so much as the second, or rather Mary's reaction to it.
Spoiler
I could 'understand' first the Prince's companion and then him coming onto her and assaulting her (by 'understand' I mean from a context of the setting and the 'norms' of the time), but Mary's internal monologue over whether it was worth giving up her bodily autonomy for the Agency, was just too upsetting for me. Her internal acceptance of basically giving up her virginity by what amounted to essentially rape (since she wasn't truly willing, just trapped in a corner) as 'worth it' for the Agency/her job, was nauseating, and frankly wasn't really fixed by her last-minute panic and pushing him away.Minus that, though, it was a good book, and I especially enjoyed the ending and the set-up for the fourth and final installment.
mariana_ramos's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
scribblinaway's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
3.5
Another adventure in Victorian London - quick and fun read!
rakesrogues's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: You probably don't want to read this review of THE TRAITOR IN THE TUNNEL by YS Lee if you have not read the two previous books. I highly recommend them.
Mary Quinn is back undercover - this time as a parlor maid in the Buckingham Palace - investigating a string of petty thefts. Y.S. Lee is a fantastic mystery writer that will leave you at the edge of your seat. She will keep you guessing, only to leave your jaw hanging wide open at the climax of the novel. THE TRAITOR IN THE TUNNEL by YS Lee has an ending you'll never see coming.
One of the reasons that I love the Agency series by YS Lee is the fact that Mary is half Chinese. It's rare that you ever see that in a Victorian novel, but Lee makes it work. There's so much depth to Mary because of her backstory. Not only is she half-Chinese, but she's also an orphan and a criminal. Mary has so many things going against her that you can't help but cheer for her character. She continues to be a headstrong character in THE TRAITOR IN THE TUNNEL by YS Lee. I love that we are finally given more insight to her Chinese ancestry and questions about her background are finally answered. (Yep, no spoilers - that's all your getting from me.)
Okay, I admit that I had to slow myself down at times. I mentally chastised myself for reading way too quickly just so I can get to the next Mary/James encounter. But then again, who can blame me? One of the reasons why I love this series is for the fantastic sexual tension between Mary and James. THE TRAITOR IN THE TUNNEL by YS Lee is no exception. Lots of banter, teasing, and romantic moments that will be sure to please fans. James and Mary continue to be one of my favorite couples in YA.
Like any historical novel that I read, I did question the historical accuracy of some parts of THE TRAITOR IN THE TUNNEL by YS Lee. It's only right that I do. But whatever questions that popped up in my head were soon squashed, once I remembered Lee's background. She has a PhD in Victorian literature and culture! I love that I can put my trust in an author's writing to be historically accurate.
Fans of the Agency series by YS Lee will be satisfied with the third installment without a doubt. And of course, I definitely did my fan girl dance when I found out that there is a fourth book in the works.
Mary Quinn is back undercover - this time as a parlor maid in the Buckingham Palace - investigating a string of petty thefts. Y.S. Lee is a fantastic mystery writer that will leave you at the edge of your seat. She will keep you guessing, only to leave your jaw hanging wide open at the climax of the novel. THE TRAITOR IN THE TUNNEL by YS Lee has an ending you'll never see coming.
One of the reasons that I love the Agency series by YS Lee is the fact that Mary is half Chinese. It's rare that you ever see that in a Victorian novel, but Lee makes it work. There's so much depth to Mary because of her backstory. Not only is she half-Chinese, but she's also an orphan and a criminal. Mary has so many things going against her that you can't help but cheer for her character. She continues to be a headstrong character in THE TRAITOR IN THE TUNNEL by YS Lee. I love that we are finally given more insight to her Chinese ancestry and questions about her background are finally answered. (Yep, no spoilers - that's all your getting from me.)
Okay, I admit that I had to slow myself down at times. I mentally chastised myself for reading way too quickly just so I can get to the next Mary/James encounter. But then again, who can blame me? One of the reasons why I love this series is for the fantastic sexual tension between Mary and James. THE TRAITOR IN THE TUNNEL by YS Lee is no exception. Lots of banter, teasing, and romantic moments that will be sure to please fans. James and Mary continue to be one of my favorite couples in YA.
Like any historical novel that I read, I did question the historical accuracy of some parts of THE TRAITOR IN THE TUNNEL by YS Lee. It's only right that I do. But whatever questions that popped up in my head were soon squashed, once I remembered Lee's background. She has a PhD in Victorian literature and culture! I love that I can put my trust in an author's writing to be historically accurate.
Fans of the Agency series by YS Lee will be satisfied with the third installment without a doubt. And of course, I definitely did my fan girl dance when I found out that there is a fourth book in the works.
cmurphy808's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
daumari's review against another edition
4.0
Things are going missing at Buckingham Palace, so Mary is undercover as a domestic! Much like a visual novel detective story though, this seems like a rather low stakes assignment... until the Prince of Wales is witness to a murder and a lady-in-waiting behaves oddly. Mary must also face her past to figure things out, and it's one of my favorite things in this series that
This is also unintentionally the second book I've read this summer where Queen Victoria plays a relevant plot role, haha- just at different ages.
Potential reader triggers: threat of sexual assault, suggestion of prostitution, drug use, [hazy] description of a murder.
Spoiler
a mixed-raced identity is in a historical setting, but also treated as it would be in said era.This is also unintentionally the second book I've read this summer where Queen Victoria plays a relevant plot role, haha- just at different ages.
Potential reader triggers: threat of sexual assault, suggestion of prostitution, drug use, [hazy] description of a murder.
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
4.0
I love these books. Mary Quinn is an awesome character; she's witty, brave and independent which a big thing for a women living in the 19th century.
Some time has passed since the previous book and Mary has finally graduated and become an official detective with The Agency. She has been given her first assignment since graduating to work as a maid in the Buckingham Palace to find out who has been stealing knick knacks from the Queen. These novels are light mystery stories with no horrible murders and light humor. Perfect for teenagers or anyone looking for something a little different but nothing too heavy. There's also some interesting history going on, after reading this it makes me want to research Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales to find out if they were really like they were portrayed in the book.
Oh and James! At the end of the previous book Mary had told James something about her childhood which left him upset at her and not wanting to have anything to do with her. I was completely shattered! Their relationship up until then had been so fiery, what with their constant arguing with each other one moment and then passionately making up the next! So you can see why I got quite upset when I thought this will never happen again. Well, he doesn't get away so easily! He's back and oh so swoony *dreamy eyes*
In the last book Mary found some information regarding her father and in this book we find out what really happened to him after all these years. I found this part of the story a little disappointing and that's why I took a star off. That's the only small thing I could fault with this otherwise I highly recommend this fantastic series!
Also on my blog
Some time has passed since the previous book and Mary has finally graduated and become an official detective with The Agency. She has been given her first assignment since graduating to work as a maid in the Buckingham Palace to find out who has been stealing knick knacks from the Queen. These novels are light mystery stories with no horrible murders and light humor. Perfect for teenagers or anyone looking for something a little different but nothing too heavy. There's also some interesting history going on, after reading this it makes me want to research Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales to find out if they were really like they were portrayed in the book.
Oh and James! At the end of the previous book Mary had told James something about her childhood which left him upset at her and not wanting to have anything to do with her. I was completely shattered! Their relationship up until then had been so fiery, what with their constant arguing with each other one moment and then passionately making up the next! So you can see why I got quite upset when I thought this will never happen again. Well, he doesn't get away so easily! He's back and oh so swoony *dreamy eyes*
In the last book Mary found some information regarding her father and in this book we find out what really happened to him after all these years. I found this part of the story a little disappointing and that's why I took a star off. That's the only small thing I could fault with this otherwise I highly recommend this fantastic series!
Also on my blog