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Undercover Ladies #3
Calico Spy
Pinkerton operative Katie Madison’s newest case takes her to Calico, Kansas, where two Harvey House restaurant waitresses were murdered in mysterious circumstances. Calico’s sheriff, Branch Whitman, has never met a Pink he liked and is stunned to learn the pretty redhead’s true identity as she works undercover as a Harvey girl. A tornado hits town, and a past deception puts Branch’s eight-year-old-son in danger. Now the Sheriff has no choice but to work with Katie—or chance losing everything he holds dear.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
28 people are currently reading
601 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Brownley
67 books774 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 96 reviews
September 14, 2023
This was a great three books.
June 7, 2016
This was a fun addition to the Undercover Ladies series, each book can stand alone.
Katie was a likable heroine, she works for Alan Pinkerton as one of his few female detectives. I liked how she comes to love the town of Calico and the interesting people who live there. Branch was also likable, he's always there for Katie - even when he doesn't agree with her. They have great chemistry, fun banter and a sweet romance.
The mystery was pretty good and I liked the other storylines that were woven in. Great supporting cast and a fun setting. Overall, an enjoyable read!
Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: Mild
Religious: Mild
Source: Review copy
Katie was a likable heroine, she works for Alan Pinkerton as one of his few female detectives. I liked how she comes to love the town of Calico and the interesting people who live there. Branch was also likable, he's always there for Katie - even when he doesn't agree with her. They have great chemistry, fun banter and a sweet romance.
The mystery was pretty good and I liked the other storylines that were woven in. Great supporting cast and a fun setting. Overall, an enjoyable read!
Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: Mild
Religious: Mild
Source: Review copy
February 5, 2016
What a fun conclusion to the Undercover Ladies series! I loved Katie and Branch and all the sweet folks of Calico, Kansas. The cast of characters felt like a vibrant family from very early in the book.
I have to say, my favorite part was the orange juice in the pea soup!
My head is full of sick-stuffy, or I'd gladly give this delightful little tale the brilliant review it deserves.
I have to say, my favorite part was the orange juice in the pea soup!
My head is full of sick-stuffy, or I'd gladly give this delightful little tale the brilliant review it deserves.
December 21, 2017
Calico Spy is the third book in Margaret Brownley's Undercover Ladies series. I've really enjoyed the series and this book was a great conclusion. The mystery was interesting and I liked that it wasn't obvious who was responsible for the murders.
The characters were fun and I liked Katie a lot. Her stubbornness was nice and I liked that she was confident in her detective skills. I found the romance to be sweet and I loved the ending.
All in all, Calico Spy was a very good read and I recommend it.
*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
The characters were fun and I liked Katie a lot. Her stubbornness was nice and I liked that she was confident in her detective skills. I found the romance to be sweet and I loved the ending.
All in all, Calico Spy was a very good read and I recommend it.
*I received a complimentary eBook copy of this book for my honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
January 20, 2016
Calico Spy is the third book in Margaret Brownley's Undercover Ladies series. When looking for light entertainment---some escapism---there are certain authors whose books should be at the top of the to-read list. Ms. Brownley is one of them.
I will say right off that the cover threw me. There is no clue in the illustration that this book deals with the Harvey Girls. From everything I've learned, they had a specific uniform that wasn't calico in material or design. I guess I'm a snob when it comes to covers. I like them to reflect accuracies in the book. However, the coffee service is accurate and provides a bit of the fun to the story. There's a touching mid-night scene involving a secondary character. I loved it and thought it clever.
The mystery built in an interesting and realistic way, and the culprit took me by surprise. Katie's ineptness as a waitress provides some of the humor, and I felt for Branch with regard to the position he was put in when it came to his son. Of course, it's always fun to read a story with an incident or historical fact---in this case, the Harvey House---as a backdrop.
Overall, I enjoyed this murder mystery/romance. In fact, I'd say it's my favorite Margaret Brownley book so far.
I received this book free from NetGalley and Shiloh Run Press in exchange for an honest review.
I will say right off that the cover threw me. There is no clue in the illustration that this book deals with the Harvey Girls. From everything I've learned, they had a specific uniform that wasn't calico in material or design. I guess I'm a snob when it comes to covers. I like them to reflect accuracies in the book. However, the coffee service is accurate and provides a bit of the fun to the story. There's a touching mid-night scene involving a secondary character. I loved it and thought it clever.
The mystery built in an interesting and realistic way, and the culprit took me by surprise. Katie's ineptness as a waitress provides some of the humor, and I felt for Branch with regard to the position he was put in when it came to his son. Of course, it's always fun to read a story with an incident or historical fact---in this case, the Harvey House---as a backdrop.
Overall, I enjoyed this murder mystery/romance. In fact, I'd say it's my favorite Margaret Brownley book so far.
I received this book free from NetGalley and Shiloh Run Press in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2022
Wonderful story;great spiritual elements and enjoyable!
March 16, 2016
About this book:
“Pinkerton operative Katie Madison’s newest case takes her to Calico, Kansas, where two Harvey House restaurant waitresses were murdered in mysterious circumstances. Calico’s sheriff, Branch Whitman, has never met a Pink he liked and is stunned to learn the pretty redhead’s true identity as she works undercover as a Harvey girl. A tornado hits town, and a past deception puts Branch’s eight-year-old-son in danger. Now the Sheriff has no choice but to work with Katie—or chance losing everything he holds dear.”
Series: Book #3 in “Undercover Ladies” series. {Review of Book #1 Here! and Book #2 Here!}
Spiritual Content- Nahum 1:7 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are mentioned; Many Prayers; Thanking & Praising the Lord; Many, many Talks about God, trusting Him, Him caring, faith, forgiveness, His will & His plans; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; A mention of a revival; A couple mentions of the Lord’s prayer; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of Church & Sundays; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Many mentions of & discussions about those in the Bible;
*Note: A couple mentions of religions; A place is called haunted; A mention of the gates of hell & a bucket of water.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dang’, a ‘darn’, a ‘dash it all’, a ‘holy smokes’, a ‘what the—‘, a ‘witch’, two ‘blast it/blast it all’s, four ‘blasted’s, and seven ‘dumb’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written); All about two murders & killers (up to semi-detailed, nothing gruesome); Fighting, Bullets & Blood (up to semi-detailed); Prepping chickens & fish for cooking (semi-detailed); Mentions of other murders, thieves, murders, deaths, jail & hangings (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of faro, gambling & cheating; Mentions of cigars & cigarettes; Mentions of saloons, drinks, drinkers & alcohol; A few mentions of spousal abuse; A few mentions of a husband that left; A couple mentions of whippings; A couple mentions of the war & a man who died; A bit of prejudice towards African-American former slaves.
Sexual Content- a not-detailed kiss, an almost semi-detailed kiss, and two semi-detailed kisses; Imaging kisses (up to semi-detailed); Remembering kisses (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of kisses & kissing; Lots of Touches, Dancing & Warmth (up to semi-detailed); Lots of Nearness, Gazes & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Noticing (up to semi-detailed); Wanting more & a couple mentions of manly needs; Mentions of soiled doves & prostitutes; Mentions of flirting & flirts; A few mentions of filmy nightgowns & petticoats; A couple mentions of reputations; A mention of trying to have a child; A mention of a newborn infant’s umbilical cord; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Katie Jones
-Branch Whitman, age 33
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1880
320 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
Like the previous books in this series, I have mixed feelings on “Calico Spy”. While it had a character I enjoy (a female Pinkerton), some funny moments & lots of Spiritual Content, it got a little too much touchy-feely at some parts. This book seemed very familiar to me, and I just can’t figure out why! Maybe because it’s slightly similar to the prior books in this series…? I enjoy Pinkerton stories, so I do hope the author does a few more. On the cover, it’s not my favorite and seems a bit busy, but her dress is pretty. ;)
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 for this honest review.
“Pinkerton operative Katie Madison’s newest case takes her to Calico, Kansas, where two Harvey House restaurant waitresses were murdered in mysterious circumstances. Calico’s sheriff, Branch Whitman, has never met a Pink he liked and is stunned to learn the pretty redhead’s true identity as she works undercover as a Harvey girl. A tornado hits town, and a past deception puts Branch’s eight-year-old-son in danger. Now the Sheriff has no choice but to work with Katie—or chance losing everything he holds dear.”
Series: Book #3 in “Undercover Ladies” series. {Review of Book #1 Here! and Book #2 Here!}
Spiritual Content- Nahum 1:7 at the beginning; A few Scriptures are mentioned; Many Prayers; Thanking & Praising the Lord; Many, many Talks about God, trusting Him, Him caring, faith, forgiveness, His will & His plans; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; A mention of a revival; A couple mentions of the Lord’s prayer; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of Church & Sundays; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Many mentions of & discussions about those in the Bible;
*Note: A couple mentions of religions; A place is called haunted; A mention of the gates of hell & a bucket of water.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dang’, a ‘darn’, a ‘dash it all’, a ‘holy smokes’, a ‘what the—‘, a ‘witch’, two ‘blast it/blast it all’s, four ‘blasted’s, and seven ‘dumb’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written); All about two murders & killers (up to semi-detailed, nothing gruesome); Fighting, Bullets & Blood (up to semi-detailed); Prepping chickens & fish for cooking (semi-detailed); Mentions of other murders, thieves, murders, deaths, jail & hangings (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of faro, gambling & cheating; Mentions of cigars & cigarettes; Mentions of saloons, drinks, drinkers & alcohol; A few mentions of spousal abuse; A few mentions of a husband that left; A couple mentions of whippings; A couple mentions of the war & a man who died; A bit of prejudice towards African-American former slaves.
Sexual Content- a not-detailed kiss, an almost semi-detailed kiss, and two semi-detailed kisses; Imaging kisses (up to semi-detailed); Remembering kisses (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of kisses & kissing; Lots of Touches, Dancing & Warmth (up to semi-detailed); Lots of Nearness, Gazes & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Noticing (up to semi-detailed); Wanting more & a couple mentions of manly needs; Mentions of soiled doves & prostitutes; Mentions of flirting & flirts; A few mentions of filmy nightgowns & petticoats; A couple mentions of reputations; A mention of trying to have a child; A mention of a newborn infant’s umbilical cord; Love, falling in love & the emotions.
-Katie Jones
-Branch Whitman, age 33
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1880
320 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
Like the previous books in this series, I have mixed feelings on “Calico Spy”. While it had a character I enjoy (a female Pinkerton), some funny moments & lots of Spiritual Content, it got a little too much touchy-feely at some parts. This book seemed very familiar to me, and I just can’t figure out why! Maybe because it’s slightly similar to the prior books in this series…? I enjoy Pinkerton stories, so I do hope the author does a few more. On the cover, it’s not my favorite and seems a bit busy, but her dress is pretty. ;)
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 for this honest review.
April 7, 2016
Witty and clever and so much fun to read! Katie is "as stubborn as a sore tooth" and is quite the conundrum for Branch. She has two strikes against her as a detective -- one, she's a woman and two she's a 'Pink' and he's not about to share sleuthing rights with either. Luckily, Katie isn't a pushover and doggedly persists with her investigation. It isn't long before Branch sees the error of his ways and the two join forces. A solid mystery that spirals into much more than they bargained for kept me glued to the page...when I wasn't blinking back tears from laughing so hard. And then there's the bumpy romance that makes the tale all the sweeter. A winning combination that makes this a must read for the romantic comedy aficionado.
November 19, 2015
The Calico Spy is the third installment of the Undercover Ladies series. This book is so fun and is a favorite of the series.
Great book!
Highly recommended!
100 stars.
Great book!
Highly recommended!
100 stars.
April 30, 2019
I was pleasantly surprised at this one. I was expecting super silly, skimming material... it wasn't like that at all. It was a very easy, light read...a bit of history surrounding the Harvey Girls and the Pinkerton detectives, which was interesting. Overall it was a nice book to pass the time...I will read the others in this series.
November 19, 2022
Great read. The combination of Harvey girls and a Pinkerton detective made for a very interesting story
February 5, 2016
This is the third book in Ms. Brownley’s Undercover Ladies series and like the other two it turns the Wild West into a fun, funny and romantic place to be. Of course, there’s plenty of danger and hard work as well as serious subjects such as homicide. However, the writing and main events of the story keep the book lighthearted and engaging, which makes for a cheery, entertaining read.
Two waitresses from the Harvey House Restaurant in Calico, Kansas, have been murdered, with little to no evidence left behind. It is Sheriff Branch Whitman’s job to find the killer, but this case is also personal. He was a friend of one of the girls and is as eager as anyone to see the crimes solved but with no clues, no witnesses and no obvious motive the case has been going nowhere. That doesn’t mean he appreciates it when Mr. Harvey bursts into his office to advise him that Harvey House Restaurants have employed the Pinkerton Agency to ensure justice is done for their fallen comrades. The last time Branch had Pinkerton operatives involved in one of his cases, the suspects had escaped and he had almost been killed. Their latest escapade with the James gang left a young boy dead. The last thing Branch wants is that kind of trouble in his town.
Katie Madison has successfully tracked down any number of criminals for Pinkerton’s, but this case in Calico will be her first murder. The problem is, will she keep her job at Harvey House long enough to solve the case? She can’t seem to keep her apron perfectly clean, has trouble memorizing orders and has no clue how to decipher the cup handle code used for letting the hostess know who gets what drinks. In the way of all independent minded romance heroines, she also can’t cook and is a fiasco at most domestic chores. In spite of her considerable struggles, she is determined to succeed and to that end she gives her all to the tasks assigned her.
As the new girl, one of those tasks is to get the Sheriff into a dinner coat when he stops by the restaurant at supper time. He is notorious for not wanting to wear one in spite of Harvey House rules. No one is more surprised than her when she succeeds. She had been warned the Sheriff was “an old crank, set in his ways and unwilling to listen to reason or work with Pinkerton detectives.” The man before her is no such thing. Charming, handsome and no older than thirty-five, Katie soon finds herself in a mild flirtation with him. It makes a pleasant start to their relationship.
Katie and Branch bump into each other several more times before she makes the move that earns his grudging respect – stopping a bank robbery with an apple pie. That’s a fun scene I don’t plan to spoil by giving too much away, but it marks a turning point for our hero and heroine. Branch begins to admire Katie’s tenacity and trust her instincts, and the two begin to work with each other to solve the case. Naturally, mayhem, romance and faith abound.
See the rest of my review at: http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
Two waitresses from the Harvey House Restaurant in Calico, Kansas, have been murdered, with little to no evidence left behind. It is Sheriff Branch Whitman’s job to find the killer, but this case is also personal. He was a friend of one of the girls and is as eager as anyone to see the crimes solved but with no clues, no witnesses and no obvious motive the case has been going nowhere. That doesn’t mean he appreciates it when Mr. Harvey bursts into his office to advise him that Harvey House Restaurants have employed the Pinkerton Agency to ensure justice is done for their fallen comrades. The last time Branch had Pinkerton operatives involved in one of his cases, the suspects had escaped and he had almost been killed. Their latest escapade with the James gang left a young boy dead. The last thing Branch wants is that kind of trouble in his town.
Katie Madison has successfully tracked down any number of criminals for Pinkerton’s, but this case in Calico will be her first murder. The problem is, will she keep her job at Harvey House long enough to solve the case? She can’t seem to keep her apron perfectly clean, has trouble memorizing orders and has no clue how to decipher the cup handle code used for letting the hostess know who gets what drinks. In the way of all independent minded romance heroines, she also can’t cook and is a fiasco at most domestic chores. In spite of her considerable struggles, she is determined to succeed and to that end she gives her all to the tasks assigned her.
As the new girl, one of those tasks is to get the Sheriff into a dinner coat when he stops by the restaurant at supper time. He is notorious for not wanting to wear one in spite of Harvey House rules. No one is more surprised than her when she succeeds. She had been warned the Sheriff was “an old crank, set in his ways and unwilling to listen to reason or work with Pinkerton detectives.” The man before her is no such thing. Charming, handsome and no older than thirty-five, Katie soon finds herself in a mild flirtation with him. It makes a pleasant start to their relationship.
Katie and Branch bump into each other several more times before she makes the move that earns his grudging respect – stopping a bank robbery with an apple pie. That’s a fun scene I don’t plan to spoil by giving too much away, but it marks a turning point for our hero and heroine. Branch begins to admire Katie’s tenacity and trust her instincts, and the two begin to work with each other to solve the case. Naturally, mayhem, romance and faith abound.
See the rest of my review at: http://likesbooks.com/cgi-bin/bookRev...
December 29, 2015
This is the third in the Undercover Ladies series and while I have enjoyed them all, I think this may be the best one yet. The combination of mystery, humor, and romance makes for a very enjoyable reading experience.
As with the others, our main character is an undercover Pinkerton detective. Katie has the assignment of solving the murder of two women in Calico, Kansas. She takes a job as a Harvey girl in the town's Harvey House. It's one of Harvey restaurants that serves quick meals to train passengers during the short stop the train makes there. The murder victims were Harvey girls and Pinkerton figures the best way to solve the crime is for Katie to be on the inside.
Brownley adds to that mystery by including a town sheriff who hates Pinkerton operatives. But Branch, a handsome widower, grudgingly realizes he'll have to work with Katie if he wants to identify the murderer. Before too long he finds he is counting her freckles and admiring her auburn hair.
Brownley has added plenty of additional elements to this mystery and romance to make the novel very interesting reading. I enjoyed finding out about the Harvey House idea, restaurants providing meals for those traveling through on the railroad. It was hard, but interesting, to read about tornadoes that rolled through the area. One newborn had been preserved in the deadly tornado eight years before by having been put in the oven of a cast iron stove. There is also the whole idea of investigating murders in the late 1800s, without the use of modern techniques.
The characters in the novel are well done. Brownley has added many secondary characters with stories of their own that add to the enjoyment of the novel. One of the Harvey girls has run away from her abusive husband. The matron of the girls is a stern woman whose fiance was killed in the Civil War. One of the kitchen girls is a young black woman who knows she'll never be allowed to work with the public. It was fascinating to read how these women grew during the course of the story.
There are important issues in the novel too. Besides those of the women I mentioned, Branch has a huge decision to make. He must face the choice of placing the child he loves into the hands of God, knowing he may lose him. It is a choice like Abraham's and it greatly tests Branch's faith.
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy a good historical mystery interwoven with romance and sprinkled with humor. I really enjoyed it. There are discussion questions provided so it would make a good choice for a reading group.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
As with the others, our main character is an undercover Pinkerton detective. Katie has the assignment of solving the murder of two women in Calico, Kansas. She takes a job as a Harvey girl in the town's Harvey House. It's one of Harvey restaurants that serves quick meals to train passengers during the short stop the train makes there. The murder victims were Harvey girls and Pinkerton figures the best way to solve the crime is for Katie to be on the inside.
Brownley adds to that mystery by including a town sheriff who hates Pinkerton operatives. But Branch, a handsome widower, grudgingly realizes he'll have to work with Katie if he wants to identify the murderer. Before too long he finds he is counting her freckles and admiring her auburn hair.
Brownley has added plenty of additional elements to this mystery and romance to make the novel very interesting reading. I enjoyed finding out about the Harvey House idea, restaurants providing meals for those traveling through on the railroad. It was hard, but interesting, to read about tornadoes that rolled through the area. One newborn had been preserved in the deadly tornado eight years before by having been put in the oven of a cast iron stove. There is also the whole idea of investigating murders in the late 1800s, without the use of modern techniques.
The characters in the novel are well done. Brownley has added many secondary characters with stories of their own that add to the enjoyment of the novel. One of the Harvey girls has run away from her abusive husband. The matron of the girls is a stern woman whose fiance was killed in the Civil War. One of the kitchen girls is a young black woman who knows she'll never be allowed to work with the public. It was fascinating to read how these women grew during the course of the story.
There are important issues in the novel too. Besides those of the women I mentioned, Branch has a huge decision to make. He must face the choice of placing the child he loves into the hands of God, knowing he may lose him. It is a choice like Abraham's and it greatly tests Branch's faith.
I recommend this novel to those who enjoy a good historical mystery interwoven with romance and sprinkled with humor. I really enjoyed it. There are discussion questions provided so it would make a good choice for a reading group.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
January 3, 2016
The Calico Spy by Margaret Brownley is the third book in the Undercover Ladies series. Katie Madison (her undercover name) is a Pinkerton Agent. Her latest assignment is to go undercover as a Harvey Girl in Calico, Kansas (it is 1880) to find out who murdered two Harvey Girls. Katie is always successful at her assignments and believes this one will be no different (even though it is her first murder case and she has never been a waitress before).
Sheriff Branch Whitman is puzzled by the two murders. How did the killer get the women outside the Harvey House? It is supposedly locked up tight at lights out. Why were these two women killed? Can Branch find the killer before he strikes again? The last thing Branch wants is a Pinkerton Agent in his town. He cannot stand them (they are usually very unscrupulous). Branch is hoping to dissuade the man and send him packing. Branch was not expecting a woman! Can Branch and Katie work together to solve the case?
The Calico Spy was just a delight to read. I normally do not read westerns, but I thought I would give this book a chance since it contained a mystery. I am so glad that I did. The novel is well-written with enjoyable characters. I just zipped through this book. It will have you laughing out loud. The Calico Spy is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read alone (as I did). The Calico Spy has mystery, humor, and a little romance. All great traits for a very good book. The mystery is simple and extremely easy to solve (but that did not bother me).
I received a complimentary copy of The Calico Spy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
Sheriff Branch Whitman is puzzled by the two murders. How did the killer get the women outside the Harvey House? It is supposedly locked up tight at lights out. Why were these two women killed? Can Branch find the killer before he strikes again? The last thing Branch wants is a Pinkerton Agent in his town. He cannot stand them (they are usually very unscrupulous). Branch is hoping to dissuade the man and send him packing. Branch was not expecting a woman! Can Branch and Katie work together to solve the case?
The Calico Spy was just a delight to read. I normally do not read westerns, but I thought I would give this book a chance since it contained a mystery. I am so glad that I did. The novel is well-written with enjoyable characters. I just zipped through this book. It will have you laughing out loud. The Calico Spy is the third book in the series, but it can easily be read alone (as I did). The Calico Spy has mystery, humor, and a little romance. All great traits for a very good book. The mystery is simple and extremely easy to solve (but that did not bother me).
I received a complimentary copy of The Calico Spy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
October 25, 2015
Another Pinkerton detective goes undercover, this time working as a Harvey girl, hoping to crack the case of two unsolved murders that has even the local sheriff stumped. Only problems are that the sheriff has a strong prejudice against Pinkertons, and she's avoided working in kitchens her whole life! The sparks fly when the cynical sheriff finds out her true identity, and the kitchen is literally set on fire by Katie, whose training seems harder to her than bringing down a tough criminal. Can they figure out a way to work together and find the murderer in time before he kills again?
Funny situations, romantic tension, plenty of action and snappy dialogue made this yet another enjoyable read. Margaret Brownley's books never fail to make me smile! The interesting historical details that get worked into the story (also included at the end) made this feel very authentic. Those Harvey girls worked hard! Law enforcement had little to work with in the 1880's too, using mostly their intuition and attention to details. The mystery kept me guessing up to the end too, with plenty of red herrings thrown in along the way. The spiritual theme of trusting God came through clearly in both the main characters' lives.
Recommend for fans of western themed Christian fiction! This is the third book in the series, but don't worry if you haven't read the others, as it is a stand alone. (You will want to read the other two after this though, so you don't miss any of the fun.) 4.5 stars
(Book provided in exchange for my honest review.)
Funny situations, romantic tension, plenty of action and snappy dialogue made this yet another enjoyable read. Margaret Brownley's books never fail to make me smile! The interesting historical details that get worked into the story (also included at the end) made this feel very authentic. Those Harvey girls worked hard! Law enforcement had little to work with in the 1880's too, using mostly their intuition and attention to details. The mystery kept me guessing up to the end too, with plenty of red herrings thrown in along the way. The spiritual theme of trusting God came through clearly in both the main characters' lives.
Recommend for fans of western themed Christian fiction! This is the third book in the series, but don't worry if you haven't read the others, as it is a stand alone. (You will want to read the other two after this though, so you don't miss any of the fun.) 4.5 stars
(Book provided in exchange for my honest review.)
January 13, 2016
Last week, I read one of the worst books I had ever read. The protagonist was insanely unlikable and the plot was predictable and the book just droned on and on. The dialogue was repetitive and there was zero character development. I wanted to burn it when I was finished to spare anyone that might accidentally pick it up in the future. The reason I mention this is because when I picked up Margaret Brownley's "The Calico Spy" and I read the back, the plot sounded eerily similar to the previous book, so much so that I was actually afraid to start reading. When I did, I was pleasantly surprised.
Katie Madison and Branch Whitman are both likable characters. Ms. Brownley's writing was fresh and compelling and the book kept me reading. The dialogue was interesting and I greatly enjoyed the author's use of humour. I really liked the layout of the book. The writing was not crowded together like many other books, it was spaced well and easy to follow, lessening the chance of eye-strain after prolonged reading, which I am often guilty of.
It is interesting how two authors can take two similar plots and develop two so different stories. It definitely speaks a lot on how the skill of an author is reflected in the finished works. This was my first reading of Ms. Brownley's works and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her books in the future. I'll probably start with the first two in the "Undercover Ladies" series.
I won my copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.
Katie Madison and Branch Whitman are both likable characters. Ms. Brownley's writing was fresh and compelling and the book kept me reading. The dialogue was interesting and I greatly enjoyed the author's use of humour. I really liked the layout of the book. The writing was not crowded together like many other books, it was spaced well and easy to follow, lessening the chance of eye-strain after prolonged reading, which I am often guilty of.
It is interesting how two authors can take two similar plots and develop two so different stories. It definitely speaks a lot on how the skill of an author is reflected in the finished works. This was my first reading of Ms. Brownley's works and I am definitely looking forward to reading more of her books in the future. I'll probably start with the first two in the "Undercover Ladies" series.
I won my copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway and I appreciate the opportunity to read and review it.
March 6, 2016
BACK OF THE BOOK BLURB
(taken from Amazon.com)
Pinkerton operative Katie Madison's newest case takes her to Calico, Kansas, where two Harvey House restaurant waitresses were murdered in mysterious circumstances. Calico's sheriff, Branch Whitman, has never met a Pink he liked and is stunned to learn the pretty redhead's true identity as she works undercover as a Harvey girl. A tornado hits town, and a past deception puts Branch's eight-year-old-son in danger. Now the Sheriff has no choice but to work with Katie--or chance losing everything he holds dear.
MY REVIEW
Another winning story by Margaret about the Pinkerton detectives and an added bonus of the Harvey girls! I really enjoyed this story, I admire the ladies that were detectives in that period, very unheard of then. I can highly recommend this book as a good read!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from the publisher through the NetGalley book review program. 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.”
(taken from Amazon.com)
Pinkerton operative Katie Madison's newest case takes her to Calico, Kansas, where two Harvey House restaurant waitresses were murdered in mysterious circumstances. Calico's sheriff, Branch Whitman, has never met a Pink he liked and is stunned to learn the pretty redhead's true identity as she works undercover as a Harvey girl. A tornado hits town, and a past deception puts Branch's eight-year-old-son in danger. Now the Sheriff has no choice but to work with Katie--or chance losing everything he holds dear.
MY REVIEW
Another winning story by Margaret about the Pinkerton detectives and an added bonus of the Harvey girls! I really enjoyed this story, I admire the ladies that were detectives in that period, very unheard of then. I can highly recommend this book as a good read!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this e-book free from the publisher through the NetGalley book review program. 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.”
February 2, 2016
Katie is one of only a few female Pinkerton agents. So when two female Harvey girls are murdered, she is sent to infiltrate the the girls at the Harvey House and find their killer. This is made a bit more difficult by the fact that Branch, the local lawman, hates Pinkerton agents. And he's even less thrilled when he finds out that he's working with a female one.
This was a fun story that will entertain readers of light mystery novels. It took me a while to get into the book. I think the beginning had too much back story to go through before we could get to the main plot lines. This is book 3 in a series, but only ties in with the previous novels because the main character is a Pinkerton agent. The characters were fun and I enjoyed the interactions between them. But quite a bit of the story felt unnecessary to the main plot. The romance was sweet, predictable, and low-key. Overall, while I enjoyed it, I don't think this book is my favorite by this author. So I would give it a 3.5 stars.
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fun story that will entertain readers of light mystery novels. It took me a while to get into the book. I think the beginning had too much back story to go through before we could get to the main plot lines. This is book 3 in a series, but only ties in with the previous novels because the main character is a Pinkerton agent. The characters were fun and I enjoyed the interactions between them. But quite a bit of the story felt unnecessary to the main plot. The romance was sweet, predictable, and low-key. Overall, while I enjoyed it, I don't think this book is my favorite by this author. So I would give it a 3.5 stars.
I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
January 9, 2016
Margaret Brownley has done it again! A young woman tracking criminals during an era when such jobs were considered "man's work" is bound to find herself in some interesting situations. I love Margaret's sense of humor and found myself giggling through many scenes!
A cast of lovable characters -- including an oft-angry French chef, an adorable young boy, a silent pantry maid, and a determined bell-ringer -- help set the stage for solving more than just the mystery Katie was sent to solve. And the sheriff... Sigh...
There is indeed a mystery to solve, but the clues and foreshadowing are well timed, guiding your suspicions to a satisfying conclusion.
Calico Spy is the third Undercover Ladies novel. All three can be read as stand-alones, but this is an entire series you won't want to miss!
(This review was first published on my blog -- sarahruut.com. I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The thought expressed here are entirely my own.)
A cast of lovable characters -- including an oft-angry French chef, an adorable young boy, a silent pantry maid, and a determined bell-ringer -- help set the stage for solving more than just the mystery Katie was sent to solve. And the sheriff... Sigh...
There is indeed a mystery to solve, but the clues and foreshadowing are well timed, guiding your suspicions to a satisfying conclusion.
Calico Spy is the third Undercover Ladies novel. All three can be read as stand-alones, but this is an entire series you won't want to miss!
(This review was first published on my blog -- sarahruut.com. I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. The thought expressed here are entirely my own.)
July 29, 2016
Another fun western romance. This one was set in Kansas, which I liked and it was easy for me to picture. I liked the main characters of this book too. The romance was sweet, and the mystery was interesting. There was a happy ending for the main characters, as well as, some of the minor characters.
December 29, 2015
LOVED IT!! Review to come!
March 1, 2019
The Harvey girls murders. A fierce redhead detective with a pain in her heart. A manly sheriff hiding the painful memories.
And a smart banter, as these two (unwillingly) join their forces to save the day.
Ms Brownley is my surefire thing when I think about really funny Christian fiction! Not everybody has the real sense of humour, but this lady does, and her books are a treat - while witty and light-hearted, they are never shallow.
Take Katie and Branch. She is a capable detective - and a girl who has never considered herself being beautiful and desirable. He is a tough boy, who is hiding the pain of thinking of himself never being enough.
While a mystery lover in me would love more true mystery here, I have enjoyed the Harvey House shenanigans and all the camaraderie there. Lighter and heavier topics are mixed here - and you leave the book with both the smile and the thought somewhere in your head that maybe its time to explore your hidden fears. And this is always a good thing.
And a smart banter, as these two (unwillingly) join their forces to save the day.
Ms Brownley is my surefire thing when I think about really funny Christian fiction! Not everybody has the real sense of humour, but this lady does, and her books are a treat - while witty and light-hearted, they are never shallow.
Take Katie and Branch. She is a capable detective - and a girl who has never considered herself being beautiful and desirable. He is a tough boy, who is hiding the pain of thinking of himself never being enough.
While a mystery lover in me would love more true mystery here, I have enjoyed the Harvey House shenanigans and all the camaraderie there. Lighter and heavier topics are mixed here - and you leave the book with both the smile and the thought somewhere in your head that maybe its time to explore your hidden fears. And this is always a good thing.
April 22, 2018
One thing I love about her books, beside being excellent ones to read, is that they are informative. Didn’t know the cup code was so extensive, don’t believe it is used today. A delightful story of Katie, she seemed so ill fitted for the job of a Harvey girl. As a Pinkerton, to find out why 2 young girl have been murdered, one had a beau, they used the cook’s key to get back in late at night. Things between the sheriff, who didn’t want help from a Pinkerton, especially a woman, and his arrogant , caused sparks between them. Both are set out to get the killer. Wil they also get caught in love. Delightful reading as all of her books are.
September 30, 2019
If you love reading about the Harvey Girls like I do then this book will treat ya good and even make you 😀.
I love a good book that can keep you guessing as to who murdered a Harvey Girl and why.
I kept turning the pages as fast as I could because I wanted to see who done it. It will certainly surprise you!
I love Margaret. I love how she has kept me entertained throughout this whole book 😆
I miss her books since she hasn't had anything out for awhile.
I will have to reread this book again. If you want an entertaining story then I strongly recommend this one.
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own!
I love a good book that can keep you guessing as to who murdered a Harvey Girl and why.
I kept turning the pages as fast as I could because I wanted to see who done it. It will certainly surprise you!
I love Margaret. I love how she has kept me entertained throughout this whole book 😆
I miss her books since she hasn't had anything out for awhile.
I will have to reread this book again. If you want an entertaining story then I strongly recommend this one.
My thanks to Netgalley. NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own!
October 17, 2019
I enjoy Margaret's books because the inspirational aspects are a natural part of the story. This one also gave lots of information about the Pinkertons, which I enjoyed, especially about their women detective department. Pay inequity was alive and well back then. Plus, the inside information about the Harvey House restaurants was fascinating. Who knew there was a teacup/coffee cup code? I did have my suspicions about the culprit and I was delighted that Katie's detective skills were key to solving the mystery. Another book off my TBR pile that fits with Wendy's challenge for the month, so win/win/win! Wendy, thank you for not selecting horror for October!
December 10, 2018
This book was a good mystery! I had no idea who the culprits were, but the clues made so much sense once Katie and Branch put them together. Margaret Brownley did a great job dropping hints here and there. I also loved the subplot with Branch and his son. It's so nice to see a single father portrayed positively. Branch obviously loves Andy, and it was nice to see that relationship. There were plenty of humorous moments, especially with Katie's misadventures in the kitchen. A lovely story, and I highly recommend it!
June 6, 2019
Four stars. Really good faith-based mystery, I had no idea who the culprit was. I just love Margret Brownley’s writing style it just flows so well. My only complaint was that it took me quite awhile to finish it. I found the beginning fast-paced and extremely easy to get into but around Page 100 I lost interest and didn’t want to pick it up again. I am glad that I decided to finish it as it had a worthwhile ending.
Personally, didn’t like this one as much as the previous one that I gave five stars.
Personally, didn’t like this one as much as the previous one that I gave five stars.
September 27, 2019
It is such a cute addition to the rest of the series. Not that you need to read the others first or at all to enjoy this story. Besides all of the main characters working for the Pinkertons there isn’t character or main setting connections between the books.
This book was great. I loved the characters and wish there had been more scenes with the little boy and Woody because their characters were so great. Or maybe they need their own novella. Either way I loved the characters and plot of this story!!
This book was great. I loved the characters and wish there had been more scenes with the little boy and Woody because their characters were so great. Or maybe they need their own novella. Either way I loved the characters and plot of this story!!
August 13, 2020
"Calico Spy" really tugged at my heartstrings, with regards to the secondary story involving little Andy. I also enjoyed learning about "The Harvey Girls", and the element of mystery kept things interesting, right up until the very end.
I really enjoyed this series, and I'm feeling a bit sad that I've read through all of the stories at a break-neck speed.
I intend to start a nine book Hildie McQueen "Brides for All Seasons" series next... hopefully that will lift my western historical romance spirit :)
I really enjoyed this series, and I'm feeling a bit sad that I've read through all of the stories at a break-neck speed.
I intend to start a nine book Hildie McQueen "Brides for All Seasons" series next... hopefully that will lift my western historical romance spirit :)
May 25, 2017
I pick up a Brownley novel because I'm looking for a quick, fun read with a quirky supporting cast. I wasn't disappointed here at all! I found all of that in Calico Spy. And I really enjoyed the Harvey Girl setting. The mystery evolved at a nice pace but felt a bit contrived in places. My only real drawback with this novel was the flimsy gospel presentation. I've never had this problem with a Brownley novel before.
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