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Undercover Ladies #1
Petticoat Detective
Pinkerton detective Jennifer Layne is no stranger to undercover work. But posing as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a first for her. She’s finally landed a high-profile case and is on the trail of the notorious Gunnysack Bandit, when one of Miss Lillian’s girls essential to her investigation meets an untimely demise. Only a handful of people are in the house at the time of her death, including handsome Tom Colton, a former Texas Ranger determined to clear his brother’s name. Amy has many reasons to suspect Tom of murder—and one very personal reason to hope that she’s wrong about him.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
80 people are currently reading
1141 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Brownley
67 books772 followersBEST-SELLING AUTHOR MARGARET BROWNLEY has penned nearly forty novels and novellas. Her books have won numerous awards, including Readers' Choice and Award of Excellence. She's was a two-time Romance Writers of American RITA® finalist and has written for a TV soap. She is currently working on a new series. Not bad for someone who flunked eighth grade English. Just don't ask her to diagram a sentence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
September 29, 2022
Petticoat Detective (2014, Shiloh Run Press) is the first in the Undercover Ladies series by Margaret Brownley. It’s a standalone Christian historical romance and mystery. I really enjoy Ms. Brownley’s humorous Westerns and always expect them to be fun. I briefly started this one while in the middle of Terri Blackstock’s Covenant Child, (which is a good book, mind you) because I was feeling overwhelmed and needed something more lighthearted.
The Heroine: Jennifer Layne is a Pinkerton detective, sent to Goodman, Kansas to identify and locate the man known as the Gunnysack Bandit. She is undercover as Amy, one of the “ladies” at “Miss Lillian’s Parlour House and Fine Boots” where prostitution… and boots… are sold.
The Hero: Tom Colton, a former Texas Ranger, is also tracking the Gunnysack Bandit, whom he believes murdered his brother. Tom and “Amy” are both trying to connect with the prostitute Rose, Tom’s brother’s fiancee, to unravel the mystery of the Gunnysack Bandit.
What I liked:
*I loved the blend of humor and seriousness and of romance and mystery. Margaret Brownley always delivers for me, and I always know that I will be happy while reading one of her books.
*The secondary characters are fabulous! I never would have expected that I would so enjoy a book set in (and near) a bordello.
What I didn’t like:
*I agree with another reviewer who disliked “Amy” comparing various people she comes across to criminals she has helped to apprehend in the past. I wondered several times whether the goal was humor, authenticity as a detective, or hinting at someone’s identity.
***********************************************
I will be certainly be reading more of Margaret Brownley’s novels. I think A Lady Like Sarah (1998), might be next in line. I would certainly recommend Petticoat Detective to those who enjoy Christian (or clean) Western romances. Given its setting, I would not recommend it for younger teens (or possibly even older ones).
The Heroine: Jennifer Layne is a Pinkerton detective, sent to Goodman, Kansas to identify and locate the man known as the Gunnysack Bandit. She is undercover as Amy, one of the “ladies” at “Miss Lillian’s Parlour House and Fine Boots” where prostitution… and boots… are sold.
The Hero: Tom Colton, a former Texas Ranger, is also tracking the Gunnysack Bandit, whom he believes murdered his brother. Tom and “Amy” are both trying to connect with the prostitute Rose, Tom’s brother’s fiancee, to unravel the mystery of the Gunnysack Bandit.
What I liked:
*I loved the blend of humor and seriousness and of romance and mystery. Margaret Brownley always delivers for me, and I always know that I will be happy while reading one of her books.
*The secondary characters are fabulous! I never would have expected that I would so enjoy a book set in (and near) a bordello.
What I didn’t like:
*I agree with another reviewer who disliked “Amy” comparing various people she comes across to criminals she has helped to apprehend in the past. I wondered several times whether the goal was humor, authenticity as a detective, or hinting at someone’s identity.
***********************************************
I will be certainly be reading more of Margaret Brownley’s novels. I think A Lady Like Sarah (1998), might be next in line. I would certainly recommend Petticoat Detective to those who enjoy Christian (or clean) Western romances. Given its setting, I would not recommend it for younger teens (or possibly even older ones).
August 12, 2015
I enjoyed this book more than I expected.
I didn't read the blurb because the title was enough to make me want to read the book. After I started reading, though, I wasn't too sure about the setting-- much of the story takes place in or near a bordello, which surprised me. The heroine lives there and pretends to be a "lady of the night" while investigating a case and the hero visits the place too. While I'm not too sure about the accuracy, I did think it was portrayed... tastefully?
The pervasive mention of previous cases and how different people reminded the heroine of outlaws she had tracked down was a bit annoying because, though it seemed to be intended to make the heroine more believable, it did just the opposite. And some of the "historic, western lingo" seemed a bit forced and overdone.
Other than that, though, I really did like this story. It was fun and enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the next book. :)
I didn't read the blurb because the title was enough to make me want to read the book. After I started reading, though, I wasn't too sure about the setting-- much of the story takes place in or near a bordello, which surprised me. The heroine lives there and pretends to be a "lady of the night" while investigating a case and the hero visits the place too. While I'm not too sure about the accuracy, I did think it was portrayed... tastefully?
The pervasive mention of previous cases and how different people reminded the heroine of outlaws she had tracked down was a bit annoying because, though it seemed to be intended to make the heroine more believable, it did just the opposite. And some of the "historic, western lingo" seemed a bit forced and overdone.
Other than that, though, I really did like this story. It was fun and enjoyable. I'm looking forward to the next book. :)
October 16, 2017
by Andrea Renee Cox
The mystery and crime-solving aspects are what attracted me to this book. A couple of major things disappointed me, though. The lead character compromised her morals for her job, and she grew comfortable doing so through the course of the story, which seemed to contradict the moments when she thought the other girls in similar positions should stop the bad things they were doing. This came across as very hypocritical. For me, compromising one's God-given moral code is inexcusable. The back-cover copy was deceptive. It was so understated and used vague terms that I did not understand the majority of the plot would take place in and around a bordello. This was very off-putting to me because it felt like I was being rooked and deceived into accepting something I never would have chosen to read had I had knowledge of the setting and themes of this story. Lastly, there was not one mention of who was home watching over the main man's eleven-year-old nephew. I was concerned about his safety through the entire book, which distracted me from the meat of the story.
This turned out to be a really disappointing read for me, especially since I'd been looking forward to this book for a long time and was finally able to borrow it from a friend. However, I might try another Brownley novel. She was fantastic at setting the scene and characterization. Surprises came often too, which I liked since twists make for fantastic complexity in a story.
Content:
* prostitution & bordello
* compromising morals as a main theme
* nudity
* profanity
* tobacco
There were several typos, including "perpetuator" used when "perpetrator" was intended, but this did not affect my rating.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
The mystery and crime-solving aspects are what attracted me to this book. A couple of major things disappointed me, though. The lead character compromised her morals for her job, and she grew comfortable doing so through the course of the story, which seemed to contradict the moments when she thought the other girls in similar positions should stop the bad things they were doing. This came across as very hypocritical. For me, compromising one's God-given moral code is inexcusable. The back-cover copy was deceptive. It was so understated and used vague terms that I did not understand the majority of the plot would take place in and around a bordello. This was very off-putting to me because it felt like I was being rooked and deceived into accepting something I never would have chosen to read had I had knowledge of the setting and themes of this story. Lastly, there was not one mention of who was home watching over the main man's eleven-year-old nephew. I was concerned about his safety through the entire book, which distracted me from the meat of the story.
This turned out to be a really disappointing read for me, especially since I'd been looking forward to this book for a long time and was finally able to borrow it from a friend. However, I might try another Brownley novel. She was fantastic at setting the scene and characterization. Surprises came often too, which I liked since twists make for fantastic complexity in a story.
Content:
* prostitution & bordello
* compromising morals as a main theme
* nudity
* profanity
* tobacco
There were several typos, including "perpetuator" used when "perpetrator" was intended, but this did not affect my rating.
I was not compensated for my honest review.
June 19, 2017
What I Loved: First of all, Margaret Brownley is one of those authors that is on my good side. I can always count on her to give me a solid story with just the right amount of suspense, humor, mystery, a message for my soul, and romance.
Petticoat Detective is one of those mystery novels that you’re not able to solve within the first chapter which is something that I greatly appreciate. Jennifer finds herself in a pretty awkward position much longer than she ever meant. This leads to some humorous situations as well as a change of heart for both her and myself. It left me thinking harder about how I view people.
The main characters were well developed and the supporting cast was a major hit. I absolutely loved Petticoat Detective and I can’t wait to finish the series.
Caution: I do want to point out that Jennifer is working undercover as…a lady of the night. Young or sensitive readers may want to be aware of this. However, as a super sensitive reader myself, I can honestly say that everything was handled tastefully. This can be a difficult setting to work with without shocking your audience, but Brownley handled it like a pro.
It was a little odd to me at first to find the main character actively dressing the part of a prostitute and living with them throughout the duration of the novel, but she never “walks the walk.” And her placement in the home brings a new light to the type of situations that led so many women down such a dark and hopeless road.
While the setting makes the novel sound gritty, the execution really wasn’t. I hope this helps fellow sensitive readers make the decision that’s best for them.
Rating and Recommendation: I’m giving Petticoat Detective 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction.
Petticoat Detective is one of those mystery novels that you’re not able to solve within the first chapter which is something that I greatly appreciate. Jennifer finds herself in a pretty awkward position much longer than she ever meant. This leads to some humorous situations as well as a change of heart for both her and myself. It left me thinking harder about how I view people.
The main characters were well developed and the supporting cast was a major hit. I absolutely loved Petticoat Detective and I can’t wait to finish the series.
Caution: I do want to point out that Jennifer is working undercover as…a lady of the night. Young or sensitive readers may want to be aware of this. However, as a super sensitive reader myself, I can honestly say that everything was handled tastefully. This can be a difficult setting to work with without shocking your audience, but Brownley handled it like a pro.
It was a little odd to me at first to find the main character actively dressing the part of a prostitute and living with them throughout the duration of the novel, but she never “walks the walk.” And her placement in the home brings a new light to the type of situations that led so many women down such a dark and hopeless road.
While the setting makes the novel sound gritty, the execution really wasn’t. I hope this helps fellow sensitive readers make the decision that’s best for them.
Rating and Recommendation: I’m giving Petticoat Detective 5 stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction.
July 21, 2014
I had the privilege of endorsing Margaret Brownley's newest book, Petticoat Detective. Here's what I said:
What a hoot! Petticoat Detective is a rollicking mystery set in the Old West, with an unconventional heroine, a hurting hero, and a very unique secondary cast that will keep you chuckling. Margaret Brownley certainly lives up to her brand of Love and Laughter in the Old West with her latest book.
Vickie McDonough, Best selling author of more than 30 books and novellas, including Gabriel’s Atonement.
What a hoot! Petticoat Detective is a rollicking mystery set in the Old West, with an unconventional heroine, a hurting hero, and a very unique secondary cast that will keep you chuckling. Margaret Brownley certainly lives up to her brand of Love and Laughter in the Old West with her latest book.
Vickie McDonough, Best selling author of more than 30 books and novellas, including Gabriel’s Atonement.
November 14, 2014
I really enjoy Ms. Brownley's Westerns. She is always able to weave in a fun western setting with humor and romance.
Even after reading the synopsis I didn't realize the story takes place at a bordello, our heroine Amy has to pose as a prostitute in order to track down the Gunnysack Bandit. Even though the story takes place at a bordello and the mystery around two murders, it was an uplifting and pretty lighthearted read, never felt too heavy even though the subject matter was pretty serious.
Amy works for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, I remembered studying them a little while in college and it's always fun to see them references in my historical novels. Anyway, Amy has a hard time with this assignment, but it was interesting to get a "behind the scenes" look into a bordello and your heart can't help but hurt for ladies forced into this profession. One of the girls, Rose, is killed the day Amy arrives, she was also supposed to be Amy's contact so she's having to start from scratch. A mysterious stranger in town, Tom Colton is also investigating the case and the two pair up to try and solve the mystery. Tom doesn't realize Amy's true identity and purpose and is torn when he starts to have feelings for who he thinks is a prostitute. There are some funny situations that arise from Amy's deception and I was impressed that the author was able to keep things light. I also liked how things wrapped up at the end.
Overall, a fun western romance.
Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: Mild
Religious: Moderate
Other: Mild
Source: Received ARC from publisher for honest review.
Even after reading the synopsis I didn't realize the story takes place at a bordello, our heroine Amy has to pose as a prostitute in order to track down the Gunnysack Bandit. Even though the story takes place at a bordello and the mystery around two murders, it was an uplifting and pretty lighthearted read, never felt too heavy even though the subject matter was pretty serious.
Amy works for the Pinkerton Detective Agency, I remembered studying them a little while in college and it's always fun to see them references in my historical novels. Anyway, Amy has a hard time with this assignment, but it was interesting to get a "behind the scenes" look into a bordello and your heart can't help but hurt for ladies forced into this profession. One of the girls, Rose, is killed the day Amy arrives, she was also supposed to be Amy's contact so she's having to start from scratch. A mysterious stranger in town, Tom Colton is also investigating the case and the two pair up to try and solve the mystery. Tom doesn't realize Amy's true identity and purpose and is torn when he starts to have feelings for who he thinks is a prostitute. There are some funny situations that arise from Amy's deception and I was impressed that the author was able to keep things light. I also liked how things wrapped up at the end.
Overall, a fun western romance.
Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: Mild
Religious: Moderate
Other: Mild
Source: Received ARC from publisher for honest review.
December 26, 2015
Really enjoyed the humor in this! Brownley has quite the talent for one-liners and this book is just as witty as others of hers I've read. The only thing I didn't like was that so many of the scenes take place in a bordello, even though it's necessary for the undercover work and the descriptions are very discreet. I guess it's more a dislike of that part of the plot rather than anything else. I loved the characters and the mystery keeps you guessing to the very end. And I have to say, I loved the shoe volley as a mode of defense! (Yes, you'll have to read it to get that...)
October 29, 2014
Petticoat Detective is really a great and fun read. I couldn't help but laughing out loud throughout the book. It was so good and so fun. I loved the characters, setting, history, and story line.
I definitely highly recommend it.
5 stars.
I definitely highly recommend it.
5 stars.
January 9, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed yet another of this authors...satisfying and intriguing. Lovely lighthearted mystery with many spiritual references and themes which is a plus for me:)
March 4, 2015
About this book:
“Pinkerton detective Jennifer Layne has a past full of identities...
But posing as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a first for her. Amy’s current assignment has her on the trail of the notorious Gunnysack Bandit, when one of Miss Lillian’s girls—Amy’s best hope for a lead—meets an untimely demise.
Former Texas Ranger Tom Colton has every reason to distrust the green-eyed beauty at Miss Lillian’s who calls herself Amy. Determined to clear his brother’s name, he’s convinced she knows more than she lets on, and he means to find out what it is.
As Amy’s investigation continues, her biggest problem is Tom and his stolen kiss. The closer she gets to tracking down the outlaw, the harder it is to keep Tom from finding out the awful truth about his brother. The Gunnysack Bandit she can handle, but it’ll take a whole lot of faith and a little help from Miss Lillian and her girls to snag the man who stole her heart.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Undercover Ladies” series.
Spiritual Content- Genesis 28:16 at the beginning; Prayers & Crossing; Talks about God & His opinion on things; ‘H’s are capital when talking about God; Strong Faith & Witnessing.
*Note: Fortunes are told and talked about (Both Tom and Jennifer/Amy don’t believe in them); “It would be a cold day in Hades before that happened.””
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘hush up’, a ‘what in blazes’, two ‘blast it all’s, two ‘blimey’ and nine forms of ‘dumb’; Curses are said but not written; Blood & Murder (barely-above-not-detailed at the highest); Fighting (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drinking & Jennifer’s father drank himself to his grave; Mentions of saloons & smoking.
Sexual Content- a barely-above-not-detailed kiss and Three semi-detailed kisses; Noticing & Staring; a ‘strumpet’, a ‘wanton’, three forms of ‘pimp’, five ‘harlot’s; Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a brothel/bordello (“Clients were called “guests,” working girls “residents,” and anything that happened behind closed doors, just plain old “hospitality.””); Low necklines on dresses & mentions of virtues; Love, falling in love, & the emotions. *Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*
-Jennifer Layne
-Tom Colton
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1883
310 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
I’ve always been fascinated by the history of the Pinkerton Agency. Needless to say, I was very excited to read this book! Sadly, it wasn’t as good as I was hoping—only because of the brothel & hints. While the ending was great and made it a lot better, you just have to get there. But, all that said, I plan on reading the rest of the series when they come out.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Shiloh Run Press) for this review.
“Pinkerton detective Jennifer Layne has a past full of identities...
But posing as a lady companion named Amy at Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a first for her. Amy’s current assignment has her on the trail of the notorious Gunnysack Bandit, when one of Miss Lillian’s girls—Amy’s best hope for a lead—meets an untimely demise.
Former Texas Ranger Tom Colton has every reason to distrust the green-eyed beauty at Miss Lillian’s who calls herself Amy. Determined to clear his brother’s name, he’s convinced she knows more than she lets on, and he means to find out what it is.
As Amy’s investigation continues, her biggest problem is Tom and his stolen kiss. The closer she gets to tracking down the outlaw, the harder it is to keep Tom from finding out the awful truth about his brother. The Gunnysack Bandit she can handle, but it’ll take a whole lot of faith and a little help from Miss Lillian and her girls to snag the man who stole her heart.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Undercover Ladies” series.
Spiritual Content- Genesis 28:16 at the beginning; Prayers & Crossing; Talks about God & His opinion on things; ‘H’s are capital when talking about God; Strong Faith & Witnessing.
*Note: Fortunes are told and talked about (Both Tom and Jennifer/Amy don’t believe in them); “It would be a cold day in Hades before that happened.””
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘hush up’, a ‘what in blazes’, two ‘blast it all’s, two ‘blimey’ and nine forms of ‘dumb’; Curses are said but not written; Blood & Murder (barely-above-not-detailed at the highest); Fighting (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of drinking & Jennifer’s father drank himself to his grave; Mentions of saloons & smoking.
Sexual Content- a barely-above-not-detailed kiss and Three semi-detailed kisses; Noticing & Staring; a ‘strumpet’, a ‘wanton’, three forms of ‘pimp’, five ‘harlot’s; Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots is a brothel/bordello (“Clients were called “guests,” working girls “residents,” and anything that happened behind closed doors, just plain old “hospitality.””); Low necklines on dresses & mentions of virtues; Love, falling in love, & the emotions. *Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*
-Jennifer Layne
-Tom Colton
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1883
310 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
I’ve always been fascinated by the history of the Pinkerton Agency. Needless to say, I was very excited to read this book! Sadly, it wasn’t as good as I was hoping—only because of the brothel & hints. While the ending was great and made it a lot better, you just have to get there. But, all that said, I plan on reading the rest of the series when they come out.
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Shiloh Run Press) for this review.
April 9, 2016
One of Jennifer's big struggles is the constant falsehoods required by her occupation; as an undercover agent, she has to play a role. Given her role in this case, she cannot attend church or fellowship with believers, and, "Friendships require honesty, trust, and transparency--all the things her clandestine activities prevent" (221). As such, she is basically alone, and she cannot build relationships. That reality understandably weighs on her, especially when she finds that she really wants to make friends and be loved for who she is, not what she appears. The author finely balances that dilemma and her love of detective work in a believable character.
While I think bordellos offered a grimmer reality in real life, the author does a good job of bringing out the humanity of the working girls--their hurts, their history, their hardness, and their hearts. The secondary characters are gems, providing opportunities for both humor and serious subjects. I enjoyed learning more about the Pinkertons and their rules. While sweet and a touch cheesy, the story has a number of important points to make about judging, double standards, and who we are behind our appearance. A fun detective story of the old west, Petticoat Detective has both humor and heart.
Thank you Barbour and NetGalley for providing an e-copy for an honest review; I was not required to make it positive, and all opinions are my own.
While I think bordellos offered a grimmer reality in real life, the author does a good job of bringing out the humanity of the working girls--their hurts, their history, their hardness, and their hearts. The secondary characters are gems, providing opportunities for both humor and serious subjects. I enjoyed learning more about the Pinkertons and their rules. While sweet and a touch cheesy, the story has a number of important points to make about judging, double standards, and who we are behind our appearance. A fun detective story of the old west, Petticoat Detective has both humor and heart.
Thank you Barbour and NetGalley for providing an e-copy for an honest review; I was not required to make it positive, and all opinions are my own.
February 1, 2015
Petticoat Detective
Undercover Ladies 1
Margaret Brownley
There are times when only a woman can do a proper investigation. And this is one of those times, though posing as companion is the last thing Jennifer planned on doing. But when her lead ends up dead Jennifer has no choice but to take on the identity of Amy, a woman living in a house of ill-repute. After all who would suspect a Pinkerton detective of working out of a Bordello. And Jennifer is determined to capture the notorious Gunnysack Bandit.
But her investigation is about to get a bit more complicated when Tom Colton (a former Texas Ranger) determines to clear his dead brother's name. And the fact that Tom's brother David and Jennifer's lead Rose had a connection seems to be of importance to this case.
But evidence seems to point to David and nothing Jennifer or Tom discover seems to lead away from this conclusion. Could they both be wrong?
The setting isn't what one would expect to find in Christian fiction, but this is clean if you have any reservations. There are several humorous scenes especially when Jennifer decides to set a trap for a suspect.
This is historical fiction with romance and it spotlights how few choices women had when seeking to support themselves at this period of time.
I was provided a copy of this audiobook by the publisher Barbour (Shiloh Run Press) through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.
Undercover Ladies 1
Margaret Brownley
There are times when only a woman can do a proper investigation. And this is one of those times, though posing as companion is the last thing Jennifer planned on doing. But when her lead ends up dead Jennifer has no choice but to take on the identity of Amy, a woman living in a house of ill-repute. After all who would suspect a Pinkerton detective of working out of a Bordello. And Jennifer is determined to capture the notorious Gunnysack Bandit.
But her investigation is about to get a bit more complicated when Tom Colton (a former Texas Ranger) determines to clear his dead brother's name. And the fact that Tom's brother David and Jennifer's lead Rose had a connection seems to be of importance to this case.
But evidence seems to point to David and nothing Jennifer or Tom discover seems to lead away from this conclusion. Could they both be wrong?
The setting isn't what one would expect to find in Christian fiction, but this is clean if you have any reservations. There are several humorous scenes especially when Jennifer decides to set a trap for a suspect.
This is historical fiction with romance and it spotlights how few choices women had when seeking to support themselves at this period of time.
I was provided a copy of this audiobook by the publisher Barbour (Shiloh Run Press) through TBCN/BookFun in exchange for my honest review.
March 31, 2015
Amy, a female Pinkerton agent, is mistaken for a lady of the night when she arrives at the brothel to investigate the famous Gunnysack Bandit. Since this disguise works with her undercover assignment she plays along. But when Tom, a man in search of his brother's killer, keeps showing up she considers working with him to solve the case. But she can't allow the lines to blur between her attraction to Tom and her job. Especially since he thinks she actually works at the "hotel".
This was an entertaining and often amusing story. The two main characters worked well together and I liked the back story the author gave each of them. The secondary characters were a great addition to the plot as well and I hope to see some of them in the next book. The author did a great job of portraying how ostracized, hopeless and shamed the women felt. The message of forgiveness and salvation was subtle, but woven throughout the story. I enjoyed this book, as I have all of the author's other books and look forward to the next book in this series.
I received this book free of charge from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
This was an entertaining and often amusing story. The two main characters worked well together and I liked the back story the author gave each of them. The secondary characters were a great addition to the plot as well and I hope to see some of them in the next book. The author did a great job of portraying how ostracized, hopeless and shamed the women felt. The message of forgiveness and salvation was subtle, but woven throughout the story. I enjoyed this book, as I have all of the author's other books and look forward to the next book in this series.
I received this book free of charge from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
July 2, 2015
This book drove me insane.
"Tom stared at his milk, startled by the vision of green eyes that stared back. Drat! Now he was seeing things" (78). Really? A former Texas Ranger thinks like that?
I felt like the author assumed I am an idiot. Every single detective know-how was spelled out. "She dropped on all fours. People look up, not down, and she had less chance of being seen close to the ground. She peered around the corner. The dark form of a man stood outside the cellar door. He was dressed in black, which made him easy to pick out. Many criminals made the mistake of wearing solid black, a color that doesn't appear naturally in nature. Dark blue or gray was a better choice for blending in at night. She sat up and ever so quietly pulled off her boots. Stocking feet absorbed sounds better than leather soles" (212). Yes, thank you for telling me things that I should already know or could infer from the story. Thank you, Captain Obvious.
Not a fan.
"Tom stared at his milk, startled by the vision of green eyes that stared back. Drat! Now he was seeing things" (78). Really? A former Texas Ranger thinks like that?
I felt like the author assumed I am an idiot. Every single detective know-how was spelled out. "She dropped on all fours. People look up, not down, and she had less chance of being seen close to the ground. She peered around the corner. The dark form of a man stood outside the cellar door. He was dressed in black, which made him easy to pick out. Many criminals made the mistake of wearing solid black, a color that doesn't appear naturally in nature. Dark blue or gray was a better choice for blending in at night. She sat up and ever so quietly pulled off her boots. Stocking feet absorbed sounds better than leather soles" (212). Yes, thank you for telling me things that I should already know or could infer from the story. Thank you, Captain Obvious.
Not a fan.
November 17, 2015
Petticoat Detective was a good story. While I didn't get completely into the story, I did like the characters and mystery of who the bandit/killer was. I also loved the Pinkerton detective angle.
The ending was quite cute and I look forward to reading the next book.
*I received a complimentary ebook copy via NetGalley for my honest review.*
The ending was quite cute and I look forward to reading the next book.
*I received a complimentary ebook copy via NetGalley for my honest review.*
August 17, 2017
A really good ending, for sure and certain
I like this author. A lot.
This book started out dragging a bit. But about a third of the way, it became more what I expect with a Brownley novel.
Expect some humor.
Expect to solve a mystery.
Expect to find out who murdered whom.
All in all, a very good read.
I like this author. A lot.
This book started out dragging a bit. But about a third of the way, it became more what I expect with a Brownley novel.
Expect some humor.
Expect to solve a mystery.
Expect to find out who murdered whom.
All in all, a very good read.
August 10, 2020
This was a fun, entertaining who-done-it historical western. Book 1 of 3 in the series. I just wish some additional closure was offered with regards to Jennifer's sister... maybe more details will be shared in book 2 or 3 of this series? Maybe? LOL.
Overall, an amusing, quick summer read. The storyline had me guessing until the very end with regards to who, in fact, was the Gunnysack Bandit.
Overall, an amusing, quick summer read. The storyline had me guessing until the very end with regards to who, in fact, was the Gunnysack Bandit.
September 5, 2015
Former Texas Ranger Tom Colton was on a mission. His brother Dave's last letter to him had indicated a change of heart and a desire to be reconciled with his young son, whom Tom was raising. Now his brother was dead, and Tom wanted to find his murderer and bring him to justice. His recent investigations brought him to Goodman, Kansas, right to the doorstep of Miss Lillian's Parlour House and Fine Boots. Dave had written about a Rose, one of Miss Lillian's girls, whom he had fallen in love with and intended to marry. Tom wanted to talk with Rose, hoping to elicit her help in finding Dave's killer. This part of his quest made him uncomfortable, but he would do whatever it took to get his man.
Jennifer Layne was a highly trained agent for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her job often placed her undercover on a case where she could accomplish more than a man often could. Her quest had also brought her to Miss Lillian's Parlour House where she was to talk to a Miss Rose whom the Pinkertons believed was a key to their investigation to the identity of the Gunnysack Bandit. She decided to apply to become a "resident." She had just become established in a room and been made over to look more "decent" in Miss Lillian's estimation, to get close to Rose. But a complication occurred when Miss Lillian discovered Rose in her room, killed but without evidence of a struggle. Jennifer's job suddenly took a serious turn for the worse. She wondered if Rose's death had anything to do with her investigation of the bandit.
This is the first Margaret Brownley book I have read. I'm pretty certain it won't be the last. There are many reasons why I like this one in particular. First, there is a "who done it" thread running all throughout the story that's well written. Tom wants to find his brother's killer. In the process of picking up clues, he believes they lead him to the Gunnysack Bandit. Finding who this bandit is becomes his central focus. Between the Tom and Amy, clues begin to look as if Dave Colton might be the bandit. Disheartened, Tom returns home after the Pinkerton Agency concludes the same thing. But Jennifer doesn't like the way the clues don't exactly add up. Eventually she has an idea after the case was closed. The end solution took me completely by surprise. Kudos to the author for keeping the readers guessing right up to the end.
Second, the pull of attraction between Tom and Jennifer (as Amy) is everywhere in this tale, twisted up in the main plot, complicating the urgency of their respective tasks. It is especially evident in Tom, a man of faith. Since he believes Amy is a "sporting woman" he fights his attraction to her all the way to the final chapters. In the meantime, Jennifer has her own conflicts because she too is a person of faith. She barely manages not to compromise her convictions without revealing her involvement with Pinkerton. I was a little surprised whom she took into her confidence. I think you may be too. But it works out well in the end.
Third, the book is heavily laced with good humor from mixed up identities to misunderstandings to just plain silliness. The strands of humor and adventure work well together. This coupling brought me back to re-read the book more than twice.
Finally, I was given this book on CD to review. Jaimee Draper reads the book with so much talent and gusto that her acting ability made the story come alive. She added accents, hesitations, and mispronunciations at all the appropriate places with hilarious results. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. For all the above reasons, I highly recommend you read it too.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from The Book Club Network on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Jennifer Layne was a highly trained agent for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her job often placed her undercover on a case where she could accomplish more than a man often could. Her quest had also brought her to Miss Lillian's Parlour House where she was to talk to a Miss Rose whom the Pinkertons believed was a key to their investigation to the identity of the Gunnysack Bandit. She decided to apply to become a "resident." She had just become established in a room and been made over to look more "decent" in Miss Lillian's estimation, to get close to Rose. But a complication occurred when Miss Lillian discovered Rose in her room, killed but without evidence of a struggle. Jennifer's job suddenly took a serious turn for the worse. She wondered if Rose's death had anything to do with her investigation of the bandit.
This is the first Margaret Brownley book I have read. I'm pretty certain it won't be the last. There are many reasons why I like this one in particular. First, there is a "who done it" thread running all throughout the story that's well written. Tom wants to find his brother's killer. In the process of picking up clues, he believes they lead him to the Gunnysack Bandit. Finding who this bandit is becomes his central focus. Between the Tom and Amy, clues begin to look as if Dave Colton might be the bandit. Disheartened, Tom returns home after the Pinkerton Agency concludes the same thing. But Jennifer doesn't like the way the clues don't exactly add up. Eventually she has an idea after the case was closed. The end solution took me completely by surprise. Kudos to the author for keeping the readers guessing right up to the end.
Second, the pull of attraction between Tom and Jennifer (as Amy) is everywhere in this tale, twisted up in the main plot, complicating the urgency of their respective tasks. It is especially evident in Tom, a man of faith. Since he believes Amy is a "sporting woman" he fights his attraction to her all the way to the final chapters. In the meantime, Jennifer has her own conflicts because she too is a person of faith. She barely manages not to compromise her convictions without revealing her involvement with Pinkerton. I was a little surprised whom she took into her confidence. I think you may be too. But it works out well in the end.
Third, the book is heavily laced with good humor from mixed up identities to misunderstandings to just plain silliness. The strands of humor and adventure work well together. This coupling brought me back to re-read the book more than twice.
Finally, I was given this book on CD to review. Jaimee Draper reads the book with so much talent and gusto that her acting ability made the story come alive. She added accents, hesitations, and mispronunciations at all the appropriate places with hilarious results. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. For all the above reasons, I highly recommend you read it too.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from The Book Club Network on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
December 2, 2024
I liked this one! It took a few unexpected turns.
March 12, 2015
Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley
*Book Description*
Christian and Pinkerton agent, Jennifer Layne, expected a new post...she just never expected to be working in a bordello to pull it off. When a helpful informant is killed her first day on the job as Amy Gardner, Jennifer is appalled, confused, and just plain upset about the devastating news to the case. To make matters worse, she's desperately trying to clear the name of a rather intriguing man named Tom and failing to find the evidence she needs. She's sure the tough cowboy looking for his brother's killer isn't THE killer...or is he? Searching for answers and trying to avoid the cool stares and glares from the other "working girls" is no easy task either. And then there are Miss Lillian's "guests"...
Tom Colton is in Kansas for one thing and one thing only: To find his brother's killer. Which is exactly why he's confused when he's attracted to Amy Gardner, a spitfire working girl for Miss Lillian's "guesthouse". When the feisty thing pulls a gun on him, he's even more intrigued. Hiring Amy to do a little spying for him on the guests at the bordello, Tom can't believe Amy thinks he could be a suspect. Will he ever change her mind...and her heart? Or will they never find "The Gunnysack Bandit"?
*What I liked*
Margaret Brownley is what someone would call "a hoot!" down here in the south...and I have to agree! This was such a mysterious, yet sweetly funny book. Miss Lillian was funny in her own dry way and I loved how Margaret portrayed the girls that worked in the bordello. They had hurts, feelings, a hard outer shell but most importantly, they had tender hearts beneath that shell. I love how the book challenged me with how I judge people and I equally loved the laughs--and tears--the story gave me. Definitely staying on my bookshelf!
*What I didn't like*
The only things I will mention to keep in mind is that it is a bordello so, you probably know to expect skimpy clothing. There was even a part in which-unfortunately for her-Amy fell out of a tree on top of a man in her petticoats. That said, there is nothing overly inappropriate and certainly nothing shocking in this book at all. In fact, Jennifer's reaction to the low necklines actually helped define her character.
*My Rating*
My rating for Petticoat Detective is...
4 1/2 stars!!
*My overall opinion*
Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley is an emotional, sweet, funny story on grief, judgement and moving on. With heart breaks and still plenty of laughs, Margaret's book is an awesome work of western fiction, certainly worthy of my bookshelf!
*I received this book from bookfun.org and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts were my own and I was not compensated in any other way.
http://bookreviewsforchristians.blogs...
*Book Description*
Christian and Pinkerton agent, Jennifer Layne, expected a new post...she just never expected to be working in a bordello to pull it off. When a helpful informant is killed her first day on the job as Amy Gardner, Jennifer is appalled, confused, and just plain upset about the devastating news to the case. To make matters worse, she's desperately trying to clear the name of a rather intriguing man named Tom and failing to find the evidence she needs. She's sure the tough cowboy looking for his brother's killer isn't THE killer...or is he? Searching for answers and trying to avoid the cool stares and glares from the other "working girls" is no easy task either. And then there are Miss Lillian's "guests"...
Tom Colton is in Kansas for one thing and one thing only: To find his brother's killer. Which is exactly why he's confused when he's attracted to Amy Gardner, a spitfire working girl for Miss Lillian's "guesthouse". When the feisty thing pulls a gun on him, he's even more intrigued. Hiring Amy to do a little spying for him on the guests at the bordello, Tom can't believe Amy thinks he could be a suspect. Will he ever change her mind...and her heart? Or will they never find "The Gunnysack Bandit"?
*What I liked*
Margaret Brownley is what someone would call "a hoot!" down here in the south...and I have to agree! This was such a mysterious, yet sweetly funny book. Miss Lillian was funny in her own dry way and I loved how Margaret portrayed the girls that worked in the bordello. They had hurts, feelings, a hard outer shell but most importantly, they had tender hearts beneath that shell. I love how the book challenged me with how I judge people and I equally loved the laughs--and tears--the story gave me. Definitely staying on my bookshelf!
*What I didn't like*
The only things I will mention to keep in mind is that it is a bordello so, you probably know to expect skimpy clothing. There was even a part in which-unfortunately for her-Amy fell out of a tree on top of a man in her petticoats. That said, there is nothing overly inappropriate and certainly nothing shocking in this book at all. In fact, Jennifer's reaction to the low necklines actually helped define her character.
*My Rating*
My rating for Petticoat Detective is...
4 1/2 stars!!
*My overall opinion*
Petticoat Detective by Margaret Brownley is an emotional, sweet, funny story on grief, judgement and moving on. With heart breaks and still plenty of laughs, Margaret's book is an awesome work of western fiction, certainly worthy of my bookshelf!
*I received this book from bookfun.org and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts were my own and I was not compensated in any other way.
http://bookreviewsforchristians.blogs...
December 4, 2014
I loved this story! It was so much fun living through Amy/Jennifer. I could feel her determination and her struggles. Jennifer, a Pinkerton Detective is working undercover, and this is her hardest assignment yet. Not only does she have to dress in a way she would never dress, but she can’t in any way talk about her faith. She is the newest employee at a brothel. Jennifer is hot on the trail of the Gunnysack Bandit, and needs to talk to Rose, another employee at the brothel called Miss Lillian’s Parlor House and Boots. But before she has a chance Rose gets murdered. Jennifer must figure out her next step. There were only a few people in the house when Rose was killed, was the Gunnysack Bandit one of them? Tom Colton showed up right around the time Rose was killed, did he do it?
Tom only wants to clear his brother’s name and find out who killed him. He came to Lillian’s to talk to Rose, his brother’s fiancé. But when he finally finds her it’s too late. Frustrated Tom has to find another way to figure out about his brothers last days. Amy intrigues him, and he turns to her for help. The more he gets to know her, the more he wishes she wasn’t a “companion” girl. When answers seem to point one way, Tom is brokenhearted. Can they figure out the truth before it’s too late?
This is the first book I have read my Margaret Brownley, and now know I would enjoy reading more! Brownley is great at drawing you in, and painting a picture of a scene, without making it sound boring. I had no choice but to love Tom and Jennifer and hope that they will figure everything out. Brownley throws in twists you don’t see coming and made it hard to stop reading! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I can’t wait to read more of this series, and more of Brownley’s books! I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley in return for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
Tom only wants to clear his brother’s name and find out who killed him. He came to Lillian’s to talk to Rose, his brother’s fiancé. But when he finally finds her it’s too late. Frustrated Tom has to find another way to figure out about his brothers last days. Amy intrigues him, and he turns to her for help. The more he gets to know her, the more he wishes she wasn’t a “companion” girl. When answers seem to point one way, Tom is brokenhearted. Can they figure out the truth before it’s too late?
This is the first book I have read my Margaret Brownley, and now know I would enjoy reading more! Brownley is great at drawing you in, and painting a picture of a scene, without making it sound boring. I had no choice but to love Tom and Jennifer and hope that they will figure everything out. Brownley throws in twists you don’t see coming and made it hard to stop reading! I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction. I can’t wait to read more of this series, and more of Brownley’s books! I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and Netgalley in return for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 19, 2015
3.5 Stars
The Petticoat Detective is a romance that reads with the feel of a mystery. Unfortunately, because the author does not include a lot of information about the secondary characters which later turns out to be the very information which Amy uses to solve, there is little chance you will be able to follow along and make a guess like you might for a regular mystery novel. For example, a perfume scent is used to identify a female suspect, yet until it was important, there was no mention of any of the women wearing perfume.
It is the romance that holds up the best in this novel. Tom is a truly amazing guy who is not afraid to be seen with a soiled-dove, or to treat her as a human being. Even when he has been betrayed, he still gives people the benefit of the doubt and does what he can to trust their word. While Amy's role at Miss Lillian's is a barrier in their relationship, he doesn't give up on Amy all together.
There is a great message in this novel about treating people with love and respect, no matter what their sins. It is nice to see that message told from the perspective of someone who has become a social outcast (the summary does not seem to include that Amy is undercover as a prostitute) rather abruptly. I think that the only issue I had with Brownley's portrayal was the one woman who did not change her career at the end of the novel. While there was mention that she could still change her ways, it was almost as if to say that any woman who didn't take any opportunity leave such a life, must be a nasty person.
I did enjoy the Petticoat Detective. There was a good message and a sweet romance. My issue was that it seemed so much like a mystery, which I would have loved, and yet did not deliver that mystery. Hopefully the next book will be different. I fully intend to read it either way.
The Petticoat Detective is a romance that reads with the feel of a mystery. Unfortunately, because the author does not include a lot of information about the secondary characters which later turns out to be the very information which Amy uses to solve, there is little chance you will be able to follow along and make a guess like you might for a regular mystery novel. For example, a perfume scent is used to identify a female suspect, yet until it was important, there was no mention of any of the women wearing perfume.
It is the romance that holds up the best in this novel. Tom is a truly amazing guy who is not afraid to be seen with a soiled-dove, or to treat her as a human being. Even when he has been betrayed, he still gives people the benefit of the doubt and does what he can to trust their word. While Amy's role at Miss Lillian's is a barrier in their relationship, he doesn't give up on Amy all together.
There is a great message in this novel about treating people with love and respect, no matter what their sins. It is nice to see that message told from the perspective of someone who has become a social outcast (the summary does not seem to include that Amy is undercover as a prostitute) rather abruptly. I think that the only issue I had with Brownley's portrayal was the one woman who did not change her career at the end of the novel. While there was mention that she could still change her ways, it was almost as if to say that any woman who didn't take any opportunity leave such a life, must be a nasty person.
I did enjoy the Petticoat Detective. There was a good message and a sweet romance. My issue was that it seemed so much like a mystery, which I would have loved, and yet did not deliver that mystery. Hopefully the next book will be different. I fully intend to read it either way.
March 7, 2015
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Disclaimers: I received an e-galley of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not obligated to write a good review nor did I receive any compensation for writing this review.
My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: I really enjoyed this one. I thought the writing was fantastic, the suspense was well developed, and the characters were intriguing.
This novel was one that I went into with little expectations; I was blown away. I enjoyed this one more than most books I've read in the genre lately.
The story follows Jennifer Layne aka Amy as she tries to take down an infamous bandit. That made for an interesting backdrop. I also loved how she set it at a Parlor House. It allowed the author to explore several poignant themes about faith and forgiveness.
The novel was fun and not preachy, which in my opinion always makes for a great read. Readers who are looking for a fun read with some suspense and romance thrown in can't go wrong with this one.
So why 4 stars? It was just a fun, well-written read that kept me entertained until the very end.
Warnings/Side-notes: It is very clean. It takes place in a parlor house, so there are very tame references to drinking and alcohol. But is suitable for 14+. There are also some violent references, also quite tame.
The Wrap-up: A fun enjoyable novel that stood out to me. This is the perfect read for fans of historical fiction, suspense, or romance.
Love,
Danica Page
January 12, 2015
Pink Gets Her Man...
A Pinkerton always gets his (her) man(woman). But from inside a bordello? Jennifer takes up the persona of a lady of the evening by the name of "Amy" at Miss Lillian's "boarding house." Looking for the "Gunnysack Bandit," she makes some unsavory discoveries: the bandit could be the ex-Texas Ranger, Tom, for whom she's come to care;or his dead brother, which would crush Tom; or someone much closer to the "soiled doves" and very much alive.
While this was a fun, light read in many ways, it was also very sobering. Ms. Brownley does an excellent job of showing the double standard afforded to the men who frequented the bordello vs.the young ladies who were paid to be their escorts. The hatred and disdain shown the escorts made it very difficult for them to have any desire to believe in a God or have any trust that He could love the likes of them.
Ms. Brownley plants plenty of clues, not all of them true. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of the mystery being quite different than I had figured. If you enjoy light, Christian romantic fiction set in the wild west, you will enjoy this book.
I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.
A Pinkerton always gets his (her) man(woman). But from inside a bordello? Jennifer takes up the persona of a lady of the evening by the name of "Amy" at Miss Lillian's "boarding house." Looking for the "Gunnysack Bandit," she makes some unsavory discoveries: the bandit could be the ex-Texas Ranger, Tom, for whom she's come to care;or his dead brother, which would crush Tom; or someone much closer to the "soiled doves" and very much alive.
While this was a fun, light read in many ways, it was also very sobering. Ms. Brownley does an excellent job of showing the double standard afforded to the men who frequented the bordello vs.the young ladies who were paid to be their escorts. The hatred and disdain shown the escorts made it very difficult for them to have any desire to believe in a God or have any trust that He could love the likes of them.
Ms. Brownley plants plenty of clues, not all of them true. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome of the mystery being quite different than I had figured. If you enjoy light, Christian romantic fiction set in the wild west, you will enjoy this book.
I received this book from bookfun.org in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2014
As Amy takes on this latest identity, she discovers several things about herself and those around her. As she gathers pieces to the puzzle, she also pieces together her own story in the process. Tom thinks he can wrap this search up fairly quickly, only to find himself in a frustrating waiting game. A host of other characters star alongside these two, including the other girls at Miss Lillian’s and three upstanding ladies from the church. These side characters help bring a sense of comic relief to a story addressing serious problems facing society.
I appreciated the sensitivity with which Petticoat Detective dealt with those societal issues. While people commonly stand in judgment of those whose sin is obvious (and there were those in the book who did also), Amy showed them grace. She wasn’t comfortable with the situation, but she was willing to look beyond the external appearance to the individual beneath, and to search for a gentle way to have a positive impact on those around her. If only we would be willing to do the same!
(This review was originally posted at sarahruut.com. I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed here are entirely my own.)
I appreciated the sensitivity with which Petticoat Detective dealt with those societal issues. While people commonly stand in judgment of those whose sin is obvious (and there were those in the book who did also), Amy showed them grace. She wasn’t comfortable with the situation, but she was willing to look beyond the external appearance to the individual beneath, and to search for a gentle way to have a positive impact on those around her. If only we would be willing to do the same!
(This review was originally posted at sarahruut.com. I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts expressed here are entirely my own.)
January 11, 2015
What an assignment! Jennifer Layne has accepted numerous undercover cases during her years as a Pinkerton detective; but posing as an employee of Miss Lillian's Parlor House and Bootery? Apprehending the notorious Gunnysack Bandit had better be worth the garish clothing and the unabashed stares; not to mention the very inconvenient attraction to a former Texas Ranger and the determination to maintain her dignity.
Tom Colton is on a dual mission; bring to justice the person who murdered his brother and find "Rose"; his dead brother's supposed fiance. But when he arrives in Goodman, Kansas to begin his unofficial investigation, Rose has been murdered in her upstairs room at Miss Lillian's and his only link to the house of ill-repute is a beauty who goes by the name of "Amy". In spite of his brother's jaded past, Tom finds it hard to believe that Dave was capable of being the Gunnysack Bandit, but perhaps had discovered the identity of the criminal and paid the ultimate price.
Can Tom and Amy find a way to work together in spite of her duplicity? And will Amy ever trust a man again after spending time in a place where marriage vows are obviously meant to be broken? This is a clever, entertaining story and "vintage" Margaret Brownley!
Tom Colton is on a dual mission; bring to justice the person who murdered his brother and find "Rose"; his dead brother's supposed fiance. But when he arrives in Goodman, Kansas to begin his unofficial investigation, Rose has been murdered in her upstairs room at Miss Lillian's and his only link to the house of ill-repute is a beauty who goes by the name of "Amy". In spite of his brother's jaded past, Tom finds it hard to believe that Dave was capable of being the Gunnysack Bandit, but perhaps had discovered the identity of the criminal and paid the ultimate price.
Can Tom and Amy find a way to work together in spite of her duplicity? And will Amy ever trust a man again after spending time in a place where marriage vows are obviously meant to be broken? This is a clever, entertaining story and "vintage" Margaret Brownley!
December 28, 2014
What I liked: Amy had hoped to find a murder yet she finds herself trying to solve one instead. She had not planned to work at Miss Lillian’s but being a Pinkerton detective she does what she needs to do for the case. When Tom shows up the same night as the murder he’s added to the suspect list. I enjoyed how these two interacted and how Amy, playing a loose woman deals with the town treating her so badly yet she keeps going and helps teach the town a thing or two in the process. Tom also learns to see past what the person is doing to who they are which makes the book have a deeper feel to it at times. I also enjoyed the suspense and who done it storyline.
What I did not like: I was not a big fan of the brothel house setting. There was nothing improper in the book but just the setting was not one I really enjoy.
Overall this was a good book. Even though the book has a darker storyline and setting the author did a good job keeping it light. The characters were all likable and the ending wrapped it all up well.
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2014/1...
What I did not like: I was not a big fan of the brothel house setting. There was nothing improper in the book but just the setting was not one I really enjoy.
Overall this was a good book. Even though the book has a darker storyline and setting the author did a good job keeping it light. The characters were all likable and the ending wrapped it all up well.
http://abbiesreadingcorner.com/2014/1...
March 25, 2015
I really enjoyed reading this book. There’s romance, suspense and humor laced throughout. All things I look for in a book. The main characters draw you in and keep you by their side. While not the most suspenseful of books, it certainly kept my attention easily. I wanted something light and easy to read since at this time it’s the holiday rush, and this book was just the thing I was looking for! I hadn’t planned on being so taken in, but I found myself reaching to read this much more often than I expected. I was most pleasantly surprised by the humor throughout the book. You see, I am afraid I commit the sin of judging a book by its cover and the tidbits of humor were not expected. I am glad to have found this gem and can’t wait to get my hands on more in the series as well as the authors other works.
*I was given a copy of this book for review purposes, however I am under no obligation to provide a review and do so of my own free will.*
*I was given a copy of this book for review purposes, however I am under no obligation to provide a review and do so of my own free will.*
November 17, 2014
A light-hearted, fun read set in the Old West. Jennifer Layne is on the trail of the Gunnysack Bandit when she runs into Tom Colton, the Ranger-turned-rancher determined to find the truth about his brother. Unfortunately for Jennifer, she can't enlist his help because she's posing as a lady of negotiable affection, and it's hard enough allaying the suspicions of the other workers in the house...
It could all go horribly wrong, or wonderfully right, and we share Jennifer's emotions as the story cycles rapidly between the possibilities before finally resolving.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It could all go horribly wrong, or wonderfully right, and we share Jennifer's emotions as the story cycles rapidly between the possibilities before finally resolving.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2014
Nothing about this book screamed, "This is different!" but it was an entertaining read never-the-less. It was predicable, but sometimes that isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you like Old West novels, this would be right up your alley. The heroine is spunky and fun (although I never am really convinced that she's all that great of a detective), and the hero is just what he should be. Throw in funny store names that sell multiple things (seriously, they were funny) and ladies of the night who learn to shoot guns and throw shoes, you are in for a good time. The ending was a little cheesy, but it makes you smile anyway.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews