Hello friends! I have lovely news to share with you today.
First, A Spy in the House has been nominated for the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s brand-new John Spray Mystery Award! Can I possibly hold my breath from now until the winners are announced in October?
Second, I’ll be reading, signing, and talking about the Victorians at the Mississauga Public Library on August 27, as their Teen Summer Reading program concludes. I’ll post more details here closer to the event.
And finally, I’m absolutely overjoyed to announce that there will be a fourth and final Agency novel. Its working title is Rivals in the City. There’s no publication date yet (I have to finish the book first!), but I’m so thrilled to be immersed in Mary Quinn’s world, one last time. I hope you’ll agree.
Happy long weekend, Canadian and American readers!
SUJUELF says
I love your books bTw do u noe Super junior?
Sarah says
I can’t wait for the book to come out … I have been checking this website every day waiting to see if it has came out yet … Would it be out by October ? Maybe I could get it for my 12th bday
Ying says
Thanks, Sujuelf. I’m not sure who you mean by “Super Junior”, though. Could you explain?
Ying says
Sarah, I didn’t mean to suggest that I’d have news any day now; I’m sorry if that’s how it sounded, to you. It will probably not be out by October. I’m finishing it for June and the editorial & production processes usually take 6-12 months, so it’ll likely be mid-2014. Er – maybe for your 13th bday?
SUJUELF says
Ying, your books are amazing! Well, super junior they are a band group Korean boy band group. Check them out. They are the ones that got me to read you books! I love Koreans and Chinese people all because of Super Junior. so I searched for Korean or Chinese authors so I saw you! love your books! AUGH! Stuck with it! Promise to check them out?
SUJUELF says
super junior is a Korean boy band who got me to like you. promise to check them out? because I love your books!
Ying says
Thanks, Sujuelf! And I’m off to check out Super Junior on youtube right now.
Ying says
Sujuelf, I’m watching the video for “Breakdown” right now and feeling very old! I’m enjoying the fashion (one of them’s wearing high heels!) and their apparent commitment to androgyny, but I’m not sure I’ll remember the song itself once it’s over. How’s that for a geezer thing to say? 🙂
Randy says
I am a grown up and I love your books! My partner and I read them before bed. Any other similar books you recommend?
Ying says
Thanks, Randy! My partner and I are devout before-bed readers, too. Similar books: you can’t go wrong with Libba Bray, and her Gemma Doyle trilogy starts in 1895 (it has supernatural elements, though). Tiffany Trent’s The Unnaturalists is Victorian-era fantasy/sci-fi. I love Stephanie Burgis’s Kat, Incorrigible trilogy (Regency era, plus magic. And less similar YA fiction I also adore: Erin Bow’s Plain Kate, Zoe Marriott’s Shadows on the Moon, Libba Bray’s (again!) Beauty Queens. Happy reading!
SUJUELF says
Author, BREAKDOWN came out a month ago and it is a Chinese song, so do you understand it? Another Chinese song made by them is, “Super Girl” watch it! I am so happy that you are watching them. THANKS!!!!! I love you! Get into the KPOP music! I am telling, it’s great!
Sarah says
I guess I can wait till I’m 13 … It would make a great coming into teenage year gift
Ying says
Sujelf, my Chinese is pretty much non-existent, so I’m afraid I didn’t understand them. I’m interested that a Korean group is singing in Chinese, though. Is that typical for KPop?
Ying says
Thanks for your patience, Sarah!
SUJUELF says
Author,
It actually doesnt matter if you don’t understand Chinese. 😉 I am really happy author! You are so great and friendly to your readers ! May god bless you <33333 For KPop, it is typical. Super Junior have Sub Groups. They sing Korean mostly but they also release Chinese albums. I don't need to understand it (I don't) because the song just sounds nice. Whatever, I really admire a busy author like you! I never saw a great author who is simultaneously thankful and friendly to readers!
SUJUELF says
Author Watch SUPERJUNIOR! You should know what brought me to like you and your great books ! 😉
Ying says
Sujuelf, you’re giving me more credit than I deserve. I think there are plenty of authors who chat with their readers, but I appreciate your enthusiasm for the books. And thank you for introducing me to Super Junior!
SUJUELF says
=D You are still by best author and your welcome. <33333 Just tell me when you finish watching some Super Junior videos! Love You!
Ariel says
I am SOOOOOOO excited that there is a 4th book!!!! This is by far one of my FAVOURITE series!!!! I love these books thank you so much for writing them! Only wish this wasn’t the last one!!!!
Ying says
Thank you very much, Ariel! I hope you find it worth the wait!
SuLJRet says
I like your books <33
Ying says
Thanks, SuLJRet!
maxi says
when will your book be coming out?
Ying says
Hi maxi, I’m afraid we don’t have an official pub date yet, but it’ll probably be 2014. I’ll post a firm date as soon as we have one!
Harriet says
Have you got a pub date yet? I would like rivals for Christmas – but I might be too optimistic !! Just an idea but – you could turn them into a film- problem- I don’t like films- but just a suggestion!
Ying says
Hello Harriet, I’m so sorry to tell you that I don’t have a pub date yet. This is not Walker’s issue; it’s mine, because I just delivered the manuscript. So now my editors need to look at it, and then add it to their publishing schedule. I’ll post as soon as know something definite, but that will likely be in a month or two, soonest. And I love the film idea! Let’s keep our fingers crossed. 🙂
Nene says
YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! 4th agency book!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOO!!!!!!!! but the last one awww ill miss mary’s adventures. 🙁
Ying says
Thanks, Nene! I’ll miss Mary too, but it was the right thing to do.
Sarah says
I love the connection Mary and James have … It makes your heart melt . Looking forward to the fourth book … I know I’ve left a lot of comments , sorry about that , I am just SUPER exited for the book.
Also Ivwould like to know if you have written any other books ( other then the ones in the agency ) because I would be very interested I’m reading them!!!!
Ying says
Sarah, I love comments, so please don’t apologize for leaving them! And I’m so glad you’re excited for Rivals. The Agency novels are the only ones I’ve written so far, but I’m about to start work on something completely different. I hope you’ll enjoy that one too, when it comes out.
Rebecca says
Hi. I was wondering if it’s possible to have more romantic scenes between Mary and James? And is James 100% healthy? I mean I’m not sure if he’s still sick. Anyway this is my favorite historical bookserie so keep up the good work Y S Lee!
Ying says
Hi Rebecca, and thank you for your kind words! There are several romantic scenes between Mary & James in Rivals in the City, balanced against a mystery plot. And while James will never be immune to malarial relapse (malaria is nasty), he’s certainly healthy in this book.
Zoey says
I LOVE the Mary Quinn books! I’m so excited you’re writing another one! I can’t wait to read it!!!
I hope to be an author myself someday, and I mostly write fantasy now, but I was wondering if there are any helpful tips to writing a mystery. I wouldn’t even know how to start, it seems so much more daunting than figuring out the plot of any other genre…
Thanks and like I said, SO EXCITED FOR RIVALS!!!
Yasmine says
Hiya Y.S. Lee! I’m a big fan of your work and to hear that you’ll be coming out with a 4th book is so AWESOME!!! Mary and James are just the cutest couple and I like James’s big brother’s interactions in your stories too. My favorite of the 3 books was the last one because of the interaction with the royal family (I’v always been a sucker for those) and esp. how you portrayed them as normal people in high positions rather than perfect people girls would fawn over. Keep up the good work and stay healthy!
Ying says
Hi Zoey and Yasmine, and thanks for stopping by! I’m so pleased to know you’ve enjoyed Mary’s adventures. Yasmine, some of my favourite scenes to write were the ones with Queen Victoria. And Zoey, I’m not sure mystery writing is more difficult, but it’s definitely different. Have you read a lot of mystery novels? That’s the best way to start – figure out what you like and dislike, and learn as you read. After that, I think it’s just a matter of figuring out what’s important to you, and researching at each stage to make sure what you’re setting up is feasible. Does that make sense?
Hara says
I loved to read the agency, but when I finished to days ago, the third book, I was so affraid because I thought, at this moment, that it was the end of the saga. By reading this page, I was in first happy to learn that it Will be a fourth book… But now that I know it Will be the last….. It Is worse : I am to disappointed ! Please, don’t stop the agency ! Think that many many readers like me Will be so disappointed With the end of Mary’s and James’s adventures !
Ps : Sorry for mistakes, I’m french, and it’s difficult to me to write to you that I think.
A french and passionate reader.
Ying says
Hara, I’m so glad you found your way here! I’m afraid there will be a bit of a wait for the fourth book, but I hope you find it worthwhile. 🙂
Mathura says
I am a huge fan of your books. I have bought all three books. And I was wondering how much longer we have to wait before the fourth book is out?
Susie says
OMG!!!! ur boooks r like AWESOMEy!!! I’ve alwayys passed The Agency by but I never really bothered to read it. One day i was like why not. After the first book I couldnt stop devouring the rest!!! Anyway cant wait for the last book.
Susie says
oh and i missed you at the mississauga library on the 27th!!!!! when r u comin to mississauga again?
jane says
This story is fantastic , I love these books and I expect when the fourth book will come out in France because I’m french, so do you know when the fourth book will be translated in french??
Ying says
Mathura, I’m afraid I don’t know yet. I send my manuscript to my editors in June and the process (editing, proofreading, cover design, etc) usually takes about 12 months, so hopefully in spring 2014? I’m sorry; I know that’s a really long wait!
I’m so glad you finally picked up the Agency, Susie! It’s funny how the right moment for a book just kind of happens, isn’t it? I was in Mississauga last year (2012) but I’m not planning any Toronto appearances for the next little while. I’ll announce it on the blog when I do, though – hopefully I’ll catch you next time!
And jane, I’m afraid I don’t know. As soon as I have a date, I’ll shout it to the world, though!
BookNerd says
GAH I love ur books!
LinLin says
Hi Ying, I’m a your French fan . I found your book in a magazine and then I went to the library at my college . I read the first volume of The Agency , I loved it ! Bye bye !!
Ying says
Thank you so much, BookNerd! 😀 And LinLin, thank you for commenting! I’m so glad you enjoyed Le pendentif de jade.
Astrid LE BIHAN says
HI Ying i am also a french fan I read all of your books they are AMAZING!!!!!! Can you, please, tell me when the Agency 4 will be translated in French.
Thank you
Regards,
Astrid LE BIHAN
Ying says
Hello Astrid, and thank you for your very kind praise! I’m afraid I don’t yet know if or when the Agency 4 will be translated. That’s not very helpful, I realize, but I will definitely announce it on the blog when I have news to share.
Jinny says
Thank you soooooooo very much for writing a book like The Agency, it is one of my favourite go to books 😀 I absolutly adore the romance and the witty characters you have created. I am anticipating volume 4 and cannot wait for it to come out 😀 while re-reading the all of them :D. I get so much joy reading your books XD THANK YOU for the opprotunity 😀
Ying says
Wow, Jinny! Thank you so much for your kind words. You’ve made my day. And thank you for waiting so patiently for Rivals. I hope you love it just as much!
Sharon says
Hi I love The Agency series, it’s amazing.
I’m Singaporean and was thrilled to find out that you were born there, even if you were not raised there.
Just wanted to say like everyone here that I am anticipating volume 4.
Thanks for being such an amazing writer.