I need help finding an agent for publishing my second novel - how do I find a legitimate agent?

[Ashcan]

Pop down to your Library and have look at the latest edition of Writers and Artists yearbook. I would advise you buy a copy it is a good read. It lists lots of agents. Plus you can search back copies and see how long the agent as been around. Longevity doesn't guarantee that they are good, but it reduces the risk of them being useless. It also marks which ones are members of the Literary Agents Association, again not a guarantee but a good guideline.

The listings tell you what type of book the agent deals with, and some even tell you a few named authors they handle.

This advice applies for the States, plus some European and Commonwealth countries, as well as Britain of course.