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After two long years, Ren’s mission is finally over, and it’s time for Ida Mae, Arlette, and Tansy to travel to Mexico to pick him up. They have their itinerary all planned out—visiting the ruins in the
Yucatan, shopping, playing in the sand and surf—and then they’ll head to Ren’s mission home and be reunited with that dear boy. But
a wanted antiquities thief crosses their path, and soon the ladies find themselves tangled up in a web of lies, intrigue, and costly jewelry. Held hostage by men desperate for riches, they do what only they
can do—keep their heads about them, plan their escape, and discuss the proper making of tortillas. Will they survive their most harrowing adventure yet?

258 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

2 people are currently reading
85 people want to read

About the author

Tristi Pinkston

228 books190 followers
I'm a historical/contemporary fiction author, stay-at-home mom, homeschooler, freelance editor, and the owner of Trifecta Books.

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5 stars
29 (34%)
4 stars
37 (44%)
3 stars
16 (19%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Julie.
Author 47 books590 followers
March 6, 2012
I hadn't read any of the other Secret Sisters mysteries and apparently this is the fourth book in the series. It didn't bother me much, though, because it was easy to pick up who the characters were and their endearing quirks that totally made the story. It probably would have been a richer reading experience had I known all the history between these characters, but I don't know that for sure, since, of course, I haven't read the others. How's that for logic?

The story begins with three little old ladies, Ida Mae, Arlette, and Tansy getting ready to take a trip south of the border. While they're there, they'll also pick up Ida Mae's nephew, Ren, from his mission. Before they can do that, however, Ida Mae gets caught up in the intrigue surrounding an antiquities thief who claims he's innocent and needs the three ladies' help. As they all fall deeper and deeper into this web, the ladies don't know who to trust and where to turn for help, but they sure got themselves in a lot of trouble trying to get themselves out of trouble. If you know what I mean. It's a cozy mystery done well.

I liked the straightforward feel of the book---both in the characters and in the plot. It was an afternoon read with a lot of fun one-liners that made me laugh. I think I'm going to pick up the other three mysteries in the series so I can catch up, and, of course, wait for the next adventure to come out!

originally reviewed on http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com
Profile Image for Mandi Slack.
Author 4 books64 followers
March 2, 2012
Targets in Ties by author Tristi Pinkston is the 4th installment in her widely popular and witty "Secret Sister Mystery" series, and I have to admit I was very excited to jump on board her blog tour. Pinkston's colorful characters Ida Mae, Tansy, and Arlette are a delight, and you will quickly fall in love with their unique, yet "oh-so familiar" personalities as they board a plane and head to Mexico. The trio are excited and anxious to spend a couple of weeks touring the country and taking in the sights before they are reunited with Ren, Ida Mae's nephew, who has spent the last two years serving and teaching the people of Mexico as an LDS missionary. However, when Ida Mae catches a glimpse of notorious jewel thief, Manuel Gonzales, during a tour of ancient Mayan ruins their trip becomes anything but ordinary. Full of intrigue, twists and turns, Targets in Ties will definitely keep you reading until the wee hours of morning. Pinkston's characters are a delight, and don't be surprised if you catch yourself laughing out loud more than once at the old ladies antics. I found Targets in Ties to be a very fun, enjoyable read, and I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun cozy mystery! I can hardly wait to read more by Author Tristi Pinkston.
Profile Image for Katie (hiding in the pages).
3,523 reviews332 followers
September 12, 2013
Targets in Ties is a face-paced story about three older ladies who journey to Mexico to pick up Ida Mae's nephew from his mission and encounter an international thief.

I love the personalities of these ladies. Tansy is such an airhead, coming up with the funniest things; Arlette is kind of grumpy, yet she's a good balance for the other; and Ida Mae is kind of the ring leader--a busybody who sticks her nose where it doesn't always belong, but she's very likeable.

This wasn't a long, complex novel. There are twists and turns but it's very light and moves along quickly. I love how the ending sets up the next book, yet it isn't a drastic nail-biting cliff hanger.

There are religious references, but they aren't the main focus, nor are they over the top.

Content: some moments of peril, but clean.
Profile Image for Aimee .
3,072 reviews298 followers
April 2, 2012
Tristi does is again. A cozy mystery with unforgettable characters.

A trio of friends in their golden years set off to South America to see the sights before picking up Ren, Ida's nephew, who has been serving a mission there. Their vacation plans go slightly awry (of course they do) and we get some fun entertainment as they try to find their way out of one mess after another.

I'm especially looking forward to the next book. It's about time for Ren and Eden to see what's up. I've been waiting a long time.

One thing I love about these books is how easy they are to read. No effort, no hard thinking. Just kick back and enjoy the ride. I'm always done before I know it. :)

LDS Fiction
Profile Image for Nicole.
425 reviews
April 15, 2021
3.5 stars- a fun read. I enjoyed this one more than some of the other ones. Ida Mae is a fun character.
Profile Image for Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer).
1,471 reviews57 followers
February 24, 2012
Is it possible for The Secret Sisters Mysteries to get even better than the last one? I am here to say, “Yes!” Targets in Ties, by Tristi Pinkston, had more laugh out loud moments than the last book. Of course life is never “normal”, when your name is Ida Mae, and trouble follows you wherever you go.


Ida Mae, Tansy and Arlette are touring through Mexico with a jewel thief on their tails. They are in Mexico for some R&R and to pick up Ida Mae's nephew, Ren, who has been on a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints. Of course, they end up in trouble sooner, rather than later. Targets in Ties once again makes you snicker and chuckle your way page after page. For example...

"He could very well be telling the truth, but that doesn't necessarily mean we have to help him," Arlette said, "We could let him work this out on his own."


"When have we ever let someone work things out on their own?" Tansy demanded to know.


Arlette nodded. "You're right. We aren't very good at staying out of other people's business. But maybe we should start now!"


That passage had me laughing so hard, while sitting in a quiet DR's office; quiet, all except for me, who was cracking up disturbing others peace. I couldn't help myself!! I also couldn't hold back during a conversation between Ida Mae and Tansy...

"Ida Mae shuddered. "We've never been this close to danger before." She tried to process it. "We've been locked in closets and sheds, and injected with stuff, but...this is different. That person meant to kill someone today."


Tansy shook her head. "They should take people like that and put them in leprechaun colonies."


Ida Mae blinked. "What?"

"You know how they take all of the leprechauns and make them live far away from the villages, where they can't be seen? Well, they should hunt down whoever shot at us and do the same thing to them."


"I think you mean leper colonies." Ida Mae said.


"It's all the same thing, isn't it?"


"Not exactly, but I do understand your sentiment."


That whole conversation was side splitting to me! In my mind I could see all of the leprechauns rounded up and sent away. Tristi's writing always brings out some emotion, especially that it makes me happy. I feel lucky to have her books to read.

Targets in Ties is cleverly written, full of mystery,with a great plot, and of course, the three elderly ladies who know how to kick fanny, in their own bumbling, but delightful way! This is why Target in Ties receives 5 stars from me.

To read more of my reviews please go to my blog at:
http://whynotbecauseisaidso.blogspot....
Profile Image for Heather .
572 reviews104 followers
February 28, 2012
Golden Girls meets Indiana Jones is this cozy mystery set among the ruins of Mexico. As the fourth installment of the Secret Sisters series, it is by far my favorite. I think it was extra fun for me to read because I just returned form a trip of my own to South America to visit my old mission stomping grounds. So, to read about Ren finishing his final days as a full-time missionary in a Spanish speaking land added an extra element of fondness for me. Ida Mae and her crew have headed down to pick him up and bring him home to the U.S. , but of course they meet up with some danger of their own as two age old enemies and antiquity thieves are using the old ladies as pawns in their plot to recover an old stash of precious amber. There is historical Mayan myth, local tradition and fun sleuth elements packed into a clean fun read I would recommend to all. If you enjoy Ally Carter's Heist Society or Josi Kilpack's culinary mysteries this one will be your kind of book. And if you haven't read number one in the series yet, now's the time to start. Well done Tristi!!

Content: clean, very minor threat of harm at gunpoint
Profile Image for Kathy.
2,741 reviews5,975 followers
February 21, 2012
Tristi Pinkston's Secret Sisters Mysteries make me laugh. They are lighthearted, clean, humorous books that are perfect for days when you just need a good laugh. Targets in Ties is the 4th book in the Secret Sisters Series and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first three books.

Ida Mae, Arlette, and Tansy are once again caught up in an adventure. This time they are travelling through Mexico headed to pick up Ren from his mission when they cross paths with an International jewel thief. What follows is another crazy adventure for this oddball team. Kidnapping, grand theft auto and a cross country chase are all in a days work for these mystery solving amateur sleuths.

If you are a cozy mystery lover or those just looking for a quick, clean read that will make you smile pick up one of Tristi Pinkston's Secret Sisters Mysteries.


Rating: 4 Stars - Great Book

Content: Clean

Source: From Publisher for Review
Profile Image for Tamera Westhoff.
1,101 reviews7 followers
March 7, 2012
I was so excited to win this off another author's blog! I really wanted to read this to stay up with the series! Ida Mae sure gets into some doozies of situations! At first all I could think was: "The moral of the story is: Don't be nosy unless you're a detective!" I was certainly not expecting all of the twists and turns thrown at me, but I loved them! They go to Mexico after saving their money, so they can vacation on their way to pick up Ren. The excitement quickly changes when Ida Mae spots a thief from the news. She proceeds to agreeing to help prove his innocence, and things get crazy (as they always do). I love what happens at the end, but was super disappointed that it ended before Eden and Ren meet up! Bummer
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
October 26, 2019
Spy Kids meet Macgyver by way of Indiana Jones

What a great entertaining read. Lost treasure, shootings, escaped prisoners, kidnapping and all down Mexico way. A fabulous tale that would stand up well to any Indiana Jones movie. Whilst the characters lend their own little idiosyncrasies to make the read even better.
A trip to Mexico. A chance of a holiday before they meet up with Ren as he fulfills his missionary term has them embroiled in a scheme to find the treasure of 'The Amber Room'. Who is the bad guy? Kidnapping and getting shot at whilst Ren plays at being Macgyver are just some of the things they have heading their way. Will they all survive?
Profile Image for Debbie.
844 reviews6 followers
September 9, 2013
This was a great addition to the other books in the Secret Sisters series. I really liked this book, as did my daughter. The three ladies went on a trip to Mexico to sightsee before meeting up with Ren to bring him home. The ladies are kidnapped twice by two different men. It was a good book. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I just read this book again. Even when on a mission, Ren still gets into trouble.
Profile Image for Lesley Hewitt.
832 reviews6 followers
September 23, 2019
Lovely

Lovely mystery, no blood, guts or gore. The ladies of the secret sisters go to Mexico to meet up with Ren after his two year stint as a missionary. They become embroiled in a mystery concerning a necklace made from gems supposedly from a historical room that was covered in gems. I couldn't put this book down until I'd finished reading it. I hope there will be more as I quite like the ladies.
Profile Image for Danyelle Ferguson.
Author 16 books133 followers
March 5, 2012
This is my favorite of the Secret Sisters mysteries so far. Can I just say that I feel bad for the villains who think they can outsmart Ida Mae? Those poor pitiful morons. They should know that with age comes respect, wisdom, and a whole lotta sass - at least in the case of Ida Mae, Tansy, and Arlette!
34 reviews
Read
March 22, 2012
This is one of the books that I won from Goodreads :). It is a mystery involving three "little old ladies" who are on a Mexican vacation and find trouble...or maybe it finds them. I enjoyed this book and now I need to see if the library has the first books from the series so I can read them before the next one comes out this summer.
Profile Image for Mindy.
1,272 reviews106 followers
April 7, 2013
Wonderfully entertaining and fun. These ladies never disappoint and it was awesome having Ren back. This book is just as enjoyable and fun as it's predecessors. Fun twists and turns with humor and heart. Well done, Tristi!
Profile Image for Book Geek Reviews.
Author 0 books19 followers
February 11, 2012
Fun, delightful read. Read it in an afternoon & laughed out loud a few times. I just love the interplay between Ida Mae, Arlette & Tansy. And what a fun surprise at the end! :)
Profile Image for Vicki.
1,146 reviews13 followers
April 3, 2012
Another fun read from Tristi! I love Ida Mae's spunkiness! She gives us all hope that we can be that vital as we age! I love the Secret Sisters Series and I am definitely looking forward to the next!
Profile Image for Angela.
27 reviews3 followers
April 27, 2012


This was my least favorite of the series. I made myself finish it because I was hoping it would get better. Read if you loved the first three.
Profile Image for Nadine.
67 reviews4 followers
April 26, 2012
This book was really funny. I really love Ida Mae's character. Becoming an 'older' lady doesn't look too bad if you had a personality like Ida Mae.
59 reviews1 follower
August 14, 2012
This book wasn't as good as the previous books in the series. There was just so many unbelievable things that happened.
Profile Image for Patricia.
2,958 reviews17 followers
April 25, 2013
I liked this book better than the first two books in the series, also. Fun plot. I still scan-read it all.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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