India Holton

Two rival spies must brave pirates, witches, and fake matrimony to save the Queen. Known as Agent A, Alice is the top operative within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, a secret government intelligence group that is fortunately better at espionage than at naming itself. From managing deceptive witches to bored aristocratic ladies, nothing is beyond Alice’s capabilities. She has a steely composure and a plan always up her sleeve (alongside a dagger and an embroidered handkerchief). So when rumors of an assassination plot begin to circulate, she’s immediately assigned to the case. But she’s not working alone. Daniel Bixby, otherwise known as Agent B and Alice's greatest rival, is given the most challenging undercover assignment of his life— pretending to be Alice’s husband. Together they will assume the identity of a married couple, infiltrate a pirate house party, and foil their unpatriotic plans. Determined to remain consummate professionals, Alice and Daniel must ignore the growing attraction between them, especially since acting on it might prove more dangerous than their target.

The Secret Service of Tea and Treason

Among the Stacks

“Um,” she replied dazedly. “You’re smoking.” “Er…” “Literally, Miss Dearlove. Your petticoat is catching alight.”

Emma Hak-Kovacs

Primula declared herself to be in Heaven, but Alice privately wished the lady would go direct the other way. 

The company separated after dinner, ladies returning to the drawing room to drink tea and discuss such feminine concerns as fashion (what exactly should a lady wear when robbing a bank?) and lip rouge (which shade was best for writing ransom notes?) and recipes (could one substitute belladonna for digitalis in poisoned wine?). The gentlemen remained at the table to trade risque jokes and ideas for scrapbook layouts.

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