Enigma of Lake Falls

by Brittany E. Brinegar

★ From the Moment They Met it was Espionage ★

Summer, 1949

Haunted by a family scandal, Jenny Nicolay boards a train for a fresh start in Texas. The master of disguise charms her way into the heart of the small town. And the heart of the handsome private eye, Sawyer Finn.

But when an encoded message meant for a Russian spy turns Lake Falls upside-down, Sawyer and Jenny embark on a treacherous journey for the truth. In a town with more secrets than people, anyone could be the Russian spy.

Can Jenny navigate her growing feelings and crack the code in time? Or will the dangerous pursuit drown her in international espionage?

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Enigma of Lake Falls is the swashbuckling first installment in the Spies of Texas historical mystery series.

Cozy Mystery meets Espionage Adventure. If you enjoy witty banter, quirky towns folk, and unexpected plot twists, this book is for you!



Spies of Texas Series Order

Book 1: Enigma of Lake FallsBook 2: Undercover PursuitBook 3: Cloak & DangerBook 4: Double AgentBook 5: Shadow of DoubtBook 6: Ghost of a Chance

"If you loved Nancy Drew books growing up you will definitely love this book... Nancy Drew vibes, but the adult version. I highly recommend this book." - Blog Review

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Historical Mystery

301 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 16, 2013

About the author

Brittany E. Brinegar is the author of witty mysteries and whodunits. When you open one of her books, look out for rapid-fire banter and nostalgic pop culture references.

Her hobbies include time travel to the 1940s, solving mysteries, and training to be a super spy... vicariously through her characters of course.

She lives in Arlington, Texas with two canine writing companions/distractions and loves drawing inspiration from family, friends, and her home state.

Ready to smile your way through murder? Join Brittany's newsletter and never miss a new release.

Reviews

[Marygrace Brinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was full of so many plot twists. As two PI detectives chase a wild story around multiple states the reader is bound to put two and two together to solve the crime, but every time I thought I figured it out something else would happen to completely change my mind. So eventful and fun to read!

[Sherry Escobar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written in high school Saturday detention?

This book is juvenile fiction at best. Historical? Except for a few sentences mentioning WWII, not hardly. Editing wasn't done at all. Some of the spelling mistakes (balled for bawled? Really?) were the only humour IMHO.

I'm glad I borrowed it from Libby (the library ebook app). I'd be awfully disappointed if I'd spent money on it.

[J Morrison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story which moved right along. But many misuses of words and awkward phrasing that interrupt the flow, leaving one wondering what the author means. I won’t be reading any more in this series because of that.

[Kathy Schouten · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an action packed entertains read. As advertised it reminded me of Nancy Drew and Ned Nickerson, my favorite mystery solvers. It takes place in TX in 1949 when newly graduated Sawyer opens a detective agency and Jenny (with a mysterious background) appoints herself as his partner. Their first case has them looking for a kidnapped judge and Russian spies. My only criticism would be that they are taken so seriously for their age and that although Sawyer is constantly in fights, never seems to get hurt.

[John Hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction is incredibly difficult to pull off, but in 'Enigma of Lake Falls,' talented young author Brittany E. Brinegar really made me feel like I was in the era of the 1940s and the Texas of that time period. In real life, I have been to Texas when I was travelling the Deep South in 1999, and Texas was a must before I finished up in Louisiana.

This story, a spy novel, is elegantly paced with witty characterisation. Sawyer and Jenna are engaging leads and I like the writer's style. Having read one of her books before (which was a completely different genre) I have to say that this story (not sure if it was written before or after the other sci-fi) one is far better and has characters I could relate to.

I started reading this at a pivotal and rather distressing time in my life, and I admit I could not give the story the full attention it deserved. But I have read some other very interesting non-fiction of late, and wanted to give this work of fiction the focus it deserved.

The humour is what lifts this above the average spy tale. I am already intrigued by the setting of 1940s Americana. The Texas I visited near the turn of the century was likely to be very different to the author's portrayal. I loved lines like 'Honey, I'm not sure what you're doing taking me hostage, but this surely can't be your best option.'

'The closet is bigger than this office.'

I laughed at that and many other lines.

With books, film and music, we want to be entertained. Hand on heart, this is an extremely entertaining read, and Brittany is a writer with a huge talent that I believe is only scratching the surface in her journey as an author.

The story has a maturity that older readers will enjoy, but I can imagine anyone of any age, and from any walk of life sincerely enjoying this tale. It's another home run for the author. Nicely done.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return to a simpler time. This story takes place in the Summer of 1949. Jenny moves to Texas and meets Sawyer. Before you know it they are in the middle of espionage. Can they crack the code and save the town? Enjoy this journey to another time with strong characters, lots of action and intrigue.

[R. Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A time machine

This reads like it was written in the heyday of the detective novel. With pulse pounding action, you are drawn into the whodunnit and scramble to keep up with the characters. What is Jenny's secret? Can by the book Finn navigate the complexities of being a PI?

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the old time nostalgic feel of this book and the clock and dagger aspect. Many twists and turns and was not expecting the ending at all .

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is ok. It's a little light and gritless for me. More of a cozy mystery.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

entertaining

[Mai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. Well written

[Asiaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really turned out to be a good book. I am not much on mysteries but this one kept me turning the pages. It was well written and had some really good characters in it.