Candlewick Press has just sent me the cover for A Spy in the House, which will be published on March 9, 2010 as a hardcover. Remember the images from that photo shoot I posted a few weeks ago? Well, here’s the final product from the hands of the amazing Caroline Lawrence. And I love it.

I love it.

I love it.

I hope you do, too.

A Spy in the House - US cover

Have you recovered yet? I haven’t. Remember, you have just under 3 weeks left to enter to win a copy of SPY.

I’m thrilled to announce that the Candlewick Press edition of A SPY IN THE HOUSE will go on sale in North America on March 9, 2010. The fabulous team at Candlewick designed a gorgeous, atmospheric new cover – and they even commissioned a photo shoot! I have some behind-the-scenes shots from the shoot and will share those with you in the coming weeks. Oh, and it’s hard not to shout this last part: the American edition is a hardcover – oh, yes it is. You can pre-order now from Amazon (US; Canada).

THE BODY AT THE TOWER, the second book in The Agency trilogy, will be published by Walker Books in April 2010. This time, Mary’s investigating a suspicious death at the Houses of Parliament. She’s disguised as a 12-year-old boy. And James is back from India… I had such a tough time writing and re-writing and re-bloody-writing this book, but my earliest readers (spouse, editors, agent) have been really enthusiastic. I hope you are, too.

Finally, to celebrate my lovely new website and upcoming North American book launch, I’m holding a CONTEST! It’s open to anyone in the world with a blog, Twitter, or Facebook account. First prize is a crisp, lovely, new-book-smelling copy of the British edition of A Spy in the House (its dramatic cover is there on the left); there are also 2 B&W stickers featuring the terrific Agency logo for 2nd and 3rd place winners.

Ready to enter? Here’s what you do:

1. Announce the following via your blog, Twitter or Facebook account:
Countdown to The Agency! There are almost 6 months ’til the US launch of A SPY IN THE HOUSE. Win a copy now at www.yslee.com.

2. Email me (ying@yslee.com) on or before November 1 with the link to your announcement AND the answer to this question:
What was the last book that really lingered in your mind – haunted you, if you will? Give author name, title, and description of the haunting element, please.

Once again, there are 2 steps to enter the contest:
-    Spread the word about this contest at your blog, on Twitter, or on Facebook (or all three). Remember to link to this website.
-    Email me by November 1 with the answer to the “haunted” question AND a link to your contest announcement (friend me on Fb if you do it there).

On November 5 (Guy Fawkes Day – ha!), I’ll announce the randomly selected winner and post everyone’s answers. (For privacy reasons, I’ll post answers with first names only, unless you request otherwise. If you’d rather I didn’t post your answer at all, tell me in your email.)

If you win and already own a copy of Spy, you can name a friend and I’ll send out the book as a gift from you. Or you can choose the very sexy Spanish edition from Ediciones Versatil, instead – it’s a stunner, and not for sale outside Spain.

Good luck! (I tried that without the exclamation point; it can’t be done.)