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The Pinkerton Man #7
Death Train
Stiles Long and Michael O’Leary were asked to join two agents from the Secret Service to break up a counterfeiting ring. They didn’t usually work with other agents, but since several Secret Service agents had been killed, the president wanted the Pinkertons in on the job.
Reginald McCullough did not want to be anywhere near his uncle, but this was a chance for him to move up in the ranks. His new partner, Rochelle Warrant, was a stranger, but he’d do whatever it took to do a good job. When he entered his uncle’s office in St. Louis, he was shocked to see his old lover, Michael O’Leary there as well.
The assignment would take them on a new Pullman train across several states and cities. Death seemed to be at every turn. Stiles, Michael, Reginald, and Rochelle; all had attempts made on their lives. Every clue seemed to lead to a dead end.
Could Reginald pull Michael away from Stiles? Could they discover who the head of the counterfeit ring was before the end of the line in Santa Barbara, or would they end up just another dead agent riding the Death Train?
Reginald McCullough did not want to be anywhere near his uncle, but this was a chance for him to move up in the ranks. His new partner, Rochelle Warrant, was a stranger, but he’d do whatever it took to do a good job. When he entered his uncle’s office in St. Louis, he was shocked to see his old lover, Michael O’Leary there as well.
The assignment would take them on a new Pullman train across several states and cities. Death seemed to be at every turn. Stiles, Michael, Reginald, and Rochelle; all had attempts made on their lives. Every clue seemed to lead to a dead end.
Could Reginald pull Michael away from Stiles? Could they discover who the head of the counterfeit ring was before the end of the line in Santa Barbara, or would they end up just another dead agent riding the Death Train?
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2024
2 people are currently reading
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August 8, 2024
After too many close calls in a short time, Michael O’Leary is ready to leave the Pinkerton business behind. He just wants to stay home in St. Louis with his lover, Stiles. But again, their life is put on hold.
Martin Collins had contacted Stiles and Michael before they left New York, the Secret Service was in need of the expert Pinkerton agents for an assignment. The information had been relayed to head agent James McCullough in St. Louis. They’re pleasantly welcomed back by Lawrence Whitley, assistant to James. On entering James’s office, he is in a heated phone conversation about the Secret Service agents being sent to work the case.
With the Secret Service being first, there was trouble abound for them, as after the Civil War counterfeit money was being produced and caused issues. But most of the criminals were caught in time. With a political race for the Presidency, counterfeit money was being circulated again. This time a great number of the Secret Service had lost their lives in pursuit of the criminals. When Woodrow Wilson became President he brought the Pinkerton’s and Secret Service in to work the case and a rivalry developed.
With this complicated case of two many agents murdered on the same train route Michael and Stiles are justified in being suspicious of the two Secret Service agents.
Rochelle Warrant and the annoying Reginald McCullough, nephew to James and someone Michael had history with.
Stiles knows something is bothering Michael as he had gone silent. He wouldn’t push Michael. He would give him time to tell Stiles what the issue is. It had been a long day and Michael was ready to please Stiles. He would take Stiles to Louie’s his favorite place. It was still uncomfortable for Michael as he knew he would have to come clean with Stiles. Their suspicions are heightened as Michael and Stiles leave the restaurant and see Secret Service agent Rochelle Warrant, in the company two unsavory men.
Michael finally tells Stiles of his connection to Reginald. Stiles trust Michael and makes it very clear Reginald had better watch his step. But they are both wondering what Reginald is up too.
The four agents will be facing danger on the same train route that the previous six agents lost their lives. As Stiles gives Michael, Reginald and Rochelle their assigned cars to investigate, bodies, once again start to drop and Michael has to wonder if he won’t be next.
Is Reginald on course to divide them? It seems Rochelle is always near as other agents are murdered. Just who is Dr. Lydia Combs? Is this the last ride for Stiles Long and Michael O’Leary?
CJ Baty brings Pinkerton Agents, Stiles Long and Michael O’Leary back for another suspenseful assignment. As always, the author brings the nostalgia and the descriptions of the early 1900’s to the story. The flow of the characters throughout the story works really well as the mystery takes readers on a journey of the 19th century train. It projects the high activity that involved having the train up and ready to move it’s variety of passengers across country. It’s another exciting, dangerous and complex case that have Michael and Stiles baffled.
I really love the authors writing especially the wonderful intimate scenes between Michael and Stiles, they are like a breath of fresh air. It’s a time when Michael and Stiles had worked so hard to keep their relationship hidden from scrutiny of others. They are not ready or do they never want for anyone to come between them. Their relationship has really grown but Michael sometimes still has a little doubt. They have a forever love that was built on trust. Stiles realizes what he truly has in Michael. Will they make the right decision when it comes to their future?
I highly recommend “Death Train” and the entire “Pinkerton Man” series that starts with “The Pinkerton Man Series: Books 1 & 2”. “Death Train” is a little bit of a heartbreaker as this may be the last time for a Stiles and Michael mystery. CJ Baty constructed a great cover of the “Death Train” and Stiles Long, that has often appeared on other covers throughout the series. Hopefully, the author will have them popping in, just to hear how they’re doing and maybe to share their expertise on cases. For those who follow the “Pinkerton Man” series, there is more to come in 2025!
September 23, 2024
Reviewed for Love Bytes – 4.5 hearts.
In the world of crime, everyone except the boss is expendable. So, when Stiles and Michael board a cross-country Pullman in a bid to stop a counterfeit ring, death is also a frequent traveler. The question is whether the crime-fighting duo will become one of the tally. And will Reggie, Michael’s ex, reclaim his lover?
Death Train is a fast-paced mystery - number seven of The Pinkerton Man series featuring Stiles and Michael. This author has a knack for producing whodunits that put all the characters on a board while keeping you guessing until the final chapter before the big reveal. It is a fantastic talent - one that kept me engrossed and trying to figure out whodunnit all the way through.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Stiles and Michael with a pinch of Reginald. The occasional memory is written in the first person. Worldbuilding is concentrated aboard the cross-country Pullman train, as this seems to be the method of distributing counterfeit money. The ambiance aboard the train and the historical era of the story (1912ish) had me imagining scenes from Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Orient Express. There is no ability to google or call anyone on the mobile, which obviously hampers the investigation. Today’s teenagers would never survive the inconvenience!!
Stiles and Michael are seasoned investigators, and I’ve loved these characters from book one of the series. Stiles remains the tough guy, and Michael is his faithful partner in every way that matters. The inclusion of Reggie was an added twist as his status as baddie, goodie, wannabe lover, or person of confused interest, was kept unclear until much later in the story.
Despite me being a seasoned reader of the series and suspecting the odd nuance within the tale, the author continued to keep most secrets under wraps. This intricately crafted crime was not a simple case of cutting the head off the viper and all going away, but that of a possible mole and the baddies wanting to keep their lines of transportation clear of government intervention,
Death Train doesn’t receive full marks because by the end, my brain was working as hard as the investigators, and I still had a couple of ‘why’ questions that I believe I have figured out, but I would have liked the answers in black and white. Then again, the author hasn’t stated that this is the last Pinkerton book, and there was some crossover from book six to book seven on the explanation front, so the same may happen here – I just like everything tied up with a bow and a few whistles. Nevertheless, none of those concerns detract from a super story containing gentlemen and an era I have come to adore.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
In the world of crime, everyone except the boss is expendable. So, when Stiles and Michael board a cross-country Pullman in a bid to stop a counterfeit ring, death is also a frequent traveler. The question is whether the crime-fighting duo will become one of the tally. And will Reggie, Michael’s ex, reclaim his lover?
Death Train is a fast-paced mystery - number seven of The Pinkerton Man series featuring Stiles and Michael. This author has a knack for producing whodunits that put all the characters on a board while keeping you guessing until the final chapter before the big reveal. It is a fantastic talent - one that kept me engrossed and trying to figure out whodunnit all the way through.
The story is told in the third person from the viewpoints of Stiles and Michael with a pinch of Reginald. The occasional memory is written in the first person. Worldbuilding is concentrated aboard the cross-country Pullman train, as this seems to be the method of distributing counterfeit money. The ambiance aboard the train and the historical era of the story (1912ish) had me imagining scenes from Agatha Christie’s Murder On The Orient Express. There is no ability to google or call anyone on the mobile, which obviously hampers the investigation. Today’s teenagers would never survive the inconvenience!!
Stiles and Michael are seasoned investigators, and I’ve loved these characters from book one of the series. Stiles remains the tough guy, and Michael is his faithful partner in every way that matters. The inclusion of Reggie was an added twist as his status as baddie, goodie, wannabe lover, or person of confused interest, was kept unclear until much later in the story.
Despite me being a seasoned reader of the series and suspecting the odd nuance within the tale, the author continued to keep most secrets under wraps. This intricately crafted crime was not a simple case of cutting the head off the viper and all going away, but that of a possible mole and the baddies wanting to keep their lines of transportation clear of government intervention,
Death Train doesn’t receive full marks because by the end, my brain was working as hard as the investigators, and I still had a couple of ‘why’ questions that I believe I have figured out, but I would have liked the answers in black and white. Then again, the author hasn’t stated that this is the last Pinkerton book, and there was some crossover from book six to book seven on the explanation front, so the same may happen here – I just like everything tied up with a bow and a few whistles. Nevertheless, none of those concerns detract from a super story containing gentlemen and an era I have come to adore.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews