I know – it doesn’t look that special, does it? But this is the British Library, aka my spiritual home in London. I spent 6 joyous months there researching my PhD thesis and even now, when I walk through the doors, I smile grin like a lunatic. That may sound a bit deranged, but come on – where else might you pass an antique printing press on your way to the loo? So this was my first stop when I got off the train at Euston. I didn’t have anything to look up this time, but went in anyway to pay my respects. (And if you’re looking for a clever gift for a bookish person, you could do a lot worse than adopting one of their books.)

I met my editor, Mara Bergman of Walker Books, for lunch. Her office is on the South Bank in a converted Victorian factory.

The sign says, "Horatio Myer & Co Ltd, bedstead manufacturers"

We had a lovely lunch with Katie, a cover designer, and Emily, Mara’s editorial assistant. Mara is a wonderful editor and she’s also an award-winning picture-book author! She very generously gave me her latest book, Oliver Who Travelled Far and Wide, and it’s already become my son’s new favourite book.

Mara, holding some random title, with Katie & Emily

After lunch I met Patrick Insole, who designed the gorgeous covers for Spy and Body. I really, really, really love Patrick’s work but that didn’t stop me from coercing him into taking a picture. I’m told he detests photos. Soz, P.

After meeting several other Walkerites, all of whom were absolutely lovely and passionate about books (hello Jane and Emma and Sean!), I wandered across to the Albert Embankment, where the weather finally matched my mood.

That sky looks fake, I know, but I used no filters and haven't tweaked anything on this image.

The following day I met my agent, Rowan Lawton, for breakfast. I adore talking with Rowan – she never fails to be inspiring and energizing. We talked about the next book, and the next, and then about some wacky ideas I was kicking around. It was brilliant.

I spent the rest of my time wandering around Bloomsbury, researching the setting for my next novel. If there’s a happier job in the world, I have yet to hear of it.

And now, book news: the blog tour for The Agency 2: The Body at the Tower starts on August 2 at the Story Siren! My theme this time is Notorious Victorians – oh, yes.

I’m in England with my family! Now that we’ve all adjusted to local time, we’re tourist-ing it up. We began with a steam-train expedition on the East Lancashire Railway, which was perfect on a rainy day:

The weather helped towards a Victorian atmosphere.

It was a diesel engine on the way out but we came back by steam.

Waiting for a heavily laden tea-trolley to trundle by.

The East Lancs Railway is run primarily by volunteers – especially impressive when you realize that it runs every weekend throughout the year, with extra trains in the holiday season.

A couple of days later, we went to the newly restored Clitheroe Castle. The last time I was there, it was still a ruin.

Clitheroe Castle

The castle keep dates to Norman times.

The museum entrance - a bit of a jolt, when you round the corner.

Today, I’m in London. More anon.

For shame – I forgot to blog this week. (I’m cranking through the first round of revisions on The Traitor and the Tunnel – the only things I’m doing, really, are eating and writing.) Please accept my sincere apologies. On Monday, I’ll be back with an overt bribe: an excerpt from book 2, The Body at the Tower.

Until then!

On Tuesday, I finished the first full draft of the third MQ novel, The Traitor and the Tunnel. (*weak cheer*) Consequently, my brain most resembles a smallish bowl of cooling tapioca. Today I’ll confine myself to announcing that yesterday was the official pub date for the French edition of A Spy in the House. Here’s the cover:

As you can see, they’ve changed the title to The Jade Pendant. I like that the series is still called The Agency, and not L’agence. What do you think?

This cover, like the first, was designed by Caroline Lawrence at Candlewick. When she commissioned a photo shoot for Spy’s cover, she photographed a second outfit for this novel, too. Caroline read both novels carefully and based both cover scenes – and the model’s outfits – on scenes from the books.

There’s been some discussion in the YA blogosphere about the way MQ looks – whether or not the model is an accurate choice. Without getting too spoiler-ish, I want to confirm that the model, Amber Ahlquist, definitely could be Mary Quinn. (Those of you who’ve read Spy know what I mean, right? If you want more info, email me!) Candlewick’s attention to detail here is amazing: they got MQ right and their stylist is an expert in Victorian costume. They went all out, friends, and I love them for  it.

Here are some shots from the second half of the cover shoot. I’ve been sitting on these for MONTHS (8, to be precise) and am so excited finally to share them with you!

As before, the talent in New York consisted of:

Crystal Thompson, wardrobe stylist (and I’ll say it again: she works on 30 Rock and Gossip Girl!)

Souraya Hamdi, makeup artist (also of 30 Rock)

Scott Nobles, photographer

David Gardiner, photographer’s assistant

I still find it strange that all these people I’ve never met have worked so hard on my books. It’s a humbling and glorious feeling, and I’m so grateful to them all.

This week in reviews:

Librarian Jennifer Hendzlik had low expectations but concludes, “Mary is a strong female lead that could stand head to head with any of Tamora Pierce’s fierce woman characters and the twists, turns and yes, even a love interest will keep readers engaged on many levels. I was expecting ok and I got wow instead.”

Reviewing for the Guelph Mercury, YA novelist Jean Mills says, “readers will love the intrigue and hints of romance in this mystery set in nineteenth-century London, where privileged young ladies wore lace and poured tea, while their less-fortunate counterparts struggled to survive. Marriage proposals, pickpockets, tea parties and pirates — A Spy in the House delivers a rollicking read.”

The day has come – the North American publication date for The Agency: A Spy in the House! As a result, I am all over the intertubes:

The T2T blog tour takes me to Chick Lit Teens where Jessica reviews Spy, calling it a “true gem”. I’m also a guest-poster here, and my subject today is Victorian Hygiene. Warning: this one’s not for the queasy.

I’m also at Book Chick City, explaining why – despite my love of things Victorian – I’m glad I live in the present day. This one’s also a bit grimy.

Paul Grimsley interviews me at In To Views (the Arty interview)

The Catastrophizer forces me to ponder failure and death (the Angsty interview).

And tonight, we’ll be celebrating with a party. Novel Idea Books will be there, selling copies for those who wish to purchase. Body Now 4 Mums and Kids is hosting us in their lovely harbourfront studio. And Candlewick Press is the hero of the day because without them, none of this would be happening. Please join us if you can!

Tuesday, March 9

7.30 to 10pm

61 Yonge St., Portsmouth Village, Kingston

To recap: today will be a True Gem of Queasy, Grimy, Arty Angst. Party to follow.

Perfect.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

7.30 pm

61 Yonge St

Portsmouth Village

Kingston, Ontario

.

hosted by

Candlewick Press

Novel Idea Bookstore

Body Now 4 Mums & Kids

and me!

Please RSVP if you can. For a map to the venue, click here.

If I had a few more, I’d cancel the contest and use them to wallpaper my study. As it is, I guess I’ll have to think up a new giveaway!

I’m planning the launch party right now and will have more details for you next week. And I’m writing book 3, The Traitor and the Tunnel – to which I must now return.

La Detective, published by Mondadori

Here’s the full dust jacket:

And now, the truth: I screamed like a girly-girl when I saw this. I can’t get over it. I love the use of period photographs, the wrought-iron ornamentation around the title, the flash of pink. If I were in the mood to cavil, I’d point out that Mary never, ever uses a gun – but what the hell. It’s not as though a handkerchief or a pen would be a good substitute.

God, it’s exquisite.

Sigh.

The Body at the Tower (Walker Books, September 2010)

I can’t decide what I like best: the period-perfect font? The way the Houses of Parliament are backlit to just the right degree of spooky/familiar? The “aged” effect around the edges? Maybe it’s just the sum total. In any case, I’m thrilled to bits (as if that wasn’t quite obvious.) And the designer, Patrick Insole (who did the cover for SPY, too), kept the old logo in the bottom right hand corner – YAY!

My second announcement today is that my friend Sarah is a genius. Specifically, she’s a paranoid-yet-deeply-rational genius who’s created a website that displays the contents of her brain in a terrifying yet witty manner. She is The Catastrophizer and I suggest you study with her forthwith.