Precious Cargo

by Jean Holbrook Mathews

Last time Julia Wentworth visited the Philippines, she barely escaped from a terrorist group. Now, four months later, she is again called to visit the tropical archipelago to find out why some microloan cooperatives her company financed are falling apart. This time, she promises her boss she will stay out of harm's way and tries to convince herself that there will be no danger involved in this simple, fact-finding trip. However, when she arrives in Manila, Julia discovers that danger is the reason the coops are failing. The young daughters of one of her clients have been kidnapped, and the family has decided that repaying their loan is no longer a priority in case a ransom is demanded. Determined to find the girls, Julia recruits an old friend to help, a detective affectionately known as Monty. As the investigation unfolds, along with their growing attraction for each other, the pair uncovers a crime ring much more elaborate and dangerous than they could have ever anticipated.

Genres: Lds Fiction, Lds, Fiction, Mystery

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved that this book used the same characters, Monty( the policeman from Manilla who is determined to find and arrest the man responsible for killing his wife and child. He helped rescued the two Americans from their kidnapping) and Julia Wentworth, an American widow, who works for a foundation in the US that helps the Philippine people make a better life by loaning them money to start a business. She was one of the woman kidnapped while trying to locate her boss' daughter after her disappearance in Manilla. She forms a bond with Monty, but returns to the US and doesn't contact him as she deals with personal loss.

Now they are back together in Manilla where the foundation clients have stopped paying their loans because they are saving their money for a hoped ransom after the disappearance of their children. Julia calls for Monty's help and the adventure starts when they discover the children have been kidnapped and planned to be sold along with some stolen automobiles, and drugs. They get the children back, but have typhoons, sinking ships, price tags on their heads that put bumps in the road. In the process they both realize that they do love each other and are trying to find a way to see the relationship work when gunman try to kill them and Monty orders Julia back to the states. She is torn to leave him when he is shot, but keeps her promise. After months of contacting by sat phone, the man responsible leo the lion, or Reyes is killed in prison, freeing them to be together again. This time the typhoon doesn't keep them apart. Love happy endings. I would love to see this story continue.

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A kidnapping crime mystery set in the Philippines. The plot was interesting. The writing was so-so.

[Susan Forsgren · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the bad men do not get you the weather will.

[Swhe641200 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book good story. Kidnapping children in Mania to sell.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time caring about any of the main characters in this book. It was an interesting story line but I got pretty bored in the telling of the story. I was glad no lasting harm came to the children in this book. Makes me sick to think about what happens to kids in situations like theirs in real life.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

The thought of kidnapped children is disturbing (especially how prevalent it really is in some countries!) I liked the story line, but my favorite person was probably the cab driver they hired to help them out.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book. It might have been because I didn't read the first book...? I thought the writing wasn't exciting. Also everything seemed to "magically" work out so easily. I was bored through most of the book and the "love story" is nonexistant until the end of the book. Bleh.

[Norah Baron · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book. Not one I'd keep and read again. Maybe because there was a first book and I didn't read that book? The characters didn't endear me to them. The storyline was pretty predictable. Over all a so so book.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book all in all. But it kind of just ended.... sort of like the author didn't have anything else to say. So the end wasn't all that great, but the book was okay.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think Mathews has finally hit her stride as a writer with this one. Still, human trafficking and selling children? Hard time reading it.

[Marie Engberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book I could not put down. My heart went out to the children and I had to see what was going to happen.

[Hollie Robb · Rating 1 out of 5]

This on is another one that I didn't finish. It was the some thing over and over. I got bored fast, and then gave up on reading the book.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would give this 2 1/2 stars. Although this book was quite enjoyable, it was very predictable. It seemed to move more slowly for me.

[Kandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Library book! Great addition to Mathews books, i enjoyed this one as much as i did the first one. Kept me memorized til the end. Lots of action, a little romance,and a new teaching that i learned.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sure hope the next book in this series is coming out soon, because I want to read more about Julia and Monty. Great book, wonderful read!

[Linda Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enter the world of Indonesian Corruption.

[Susan Brandley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. I just wish someone had told me it was the second book in a series.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

sequel to the assignment. liked it.