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China Bohannon #5
Five Days, Five Dead
Sepp Amsel, a fabulously successful gambling hall and saloonkeeper entrepreneur, is about to become the bridegroom in the most public wedding ever to take place in wild and woolly Spokane, Washington. He wants to engage China’s detective services when his fiancee’s sister is kidnapped and a substantial ransom demanded. There’s just one problem. The client thinks it’s possible he’s being bamboozled because things don’t quite add up. Only days remain for China to figure out why the sister was snatched and not the bride. But the clock is ticking. Worse, it isn’t long until murder becomes part of the equation. First a bellhop, then a tailor. Who will be next? China had better find out soon, before she, too, becomes a target for murder.
- GenresMystery
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2020
40 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
C.K. Crigger
50 books25 followersC.K.Crigger, a native of the Inland Northwest, lives in Spokane, Washington with her husband, dog, and reclusive cat. She is the author of eight published novels, some of which cross genres. Her short fiction story, Aldy Neals Ghost, was a 2007 Spur Award finalist, presented by Western Writers of America. BLACK CROSSING,a novel of the American West published by Amber Quill Press, is her newest work. It is the recipient of the 2008 Eppie Award in the Historical/Western category."
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 13, 2018
With business pared down by bad weather, China Bohannon is bored and passing time creating a newspaper advertisement when opportunity crashes through the door of the Doyle & Howe Detective Agency and nearly drops into her lap.
Sepp Amsel, wealthy gambling and saloon entrepreneur, seeks to engage her services to investigate the kidnapping of Anka, sister of his mail-order bride-to-be Jutte Kalb, which he already suspects may be a plot to "bamboozle" him. China is pleased to comply since she's long believed she's proven herself worthy of adding detective to her current duties as bookkeeper, office manager and general dogbody--despite what her uncle Montgomery "Monk" Howe and his partner Gratton Doyle might think about it.
There's a short deadline, with only days until the ransom is to be paid, but China is confident and quickly gets on the trail. The only apparent witness to the kidnap is the erstwhile bride-to-be and her unhelpful attitude sparks suspicion.
Uncle Monk and Gratton horn in on China's job as soon as they're informed of it. But a false clue sends the two men off on a wild goose chase, leaving China and Nimble, the Bedlington terrior Gratt had given her for protection, to fend for themselves against a snowstorm, freezing temperatures, threats and assaults by a crop of scheming scoundrels.
As the title of the novel suggests, bodies soon start piling up and it's primarily China, trusty revolver in the pocket of her skirt, and a few well chosen friends on the job, sorting things out until the boys get back to Spokane to lend a hand.
I've been a fan of spunky China since reading the first novels in this series. As usual, China endures some bruises and insults to her person, but it's another fun romp for those of us who enjoy her company and a peek at life in the 19th century Northwest. China even gets a few hugs and kisses from Gratt, who she's had a crush on since the beginning.
Sepp Amsel, wealthy gambling and saloon entrepreneur, seeks to engage her services to investigate the kidnapping of Anka, sister of his mail-order bride-to-be Jutte Kalb, which he already suspects may be a plot to "bamboozle" him. China is pleased to comply since she's long believed she's proven herself worthy of adding detective to her current duties as bookkeeper, office manager and general dogbody--despite what her uncle Montgomery "Monk" Howe and his partner Gratton Doyle might think about it.
There's a short deadline, with only days until the ransom is to be paid, but China is confident and quickly gets on the trail. The only apparent witness to the kidnap is the erstwhile bride-to-be and her unhelpful attitude sparks suspicion.
Uncle Monk and Gratton horn in on China's job as soon as they're informed of it. But a false clue sends the two men off on a wild goose chase, leaving China and Nimble, the Bedlington terrior Gratt had given her for protection, to fend for themselves against a snowstorm, freezing temperatures, threats and assaults by a crop of scheming scoundrels.
As the title of the novel suggests, bodies soon start piling up and it's primarily China, trusty revolver in the pocket of her skirt, and a few well chosen friends on the job, sorting things out until the boys get back to Spokane to lend a hand.
I've been a fan of spunky China since reading the first novels in this series. As usual, China endures some bruises and insults to her person, but it's another fun romp for those of us who enjoy her company and a peek at life in the 19th century Northwest. China even gets a few hugs and kisses from Gratt, who she's had a crush on since the beginning.
March 3, 2019
Once again, to the show that she is as good a detective as her Uncle Monk, and the younger P.I., Gratton, of Doyle and Howe Detective Agency, China Bohannon, young office manager, bookkeeper and bottle-washer, takes on a case that gets her in over her head.
It is 1896 and Spokane, Washington, is experiencing the worst winter in the city's history, when she is approached by flamboyant and wealthy German immigrant, Sepp Amsel. He hires China to investigate the kidnapping of Anka, the sister of his mail-order, bride-to-be, Jutte Kalb. He already believes the abduction was a set-up to "bamboozle" him out of thousands of dollars.
Since Uncle Monk and Gratton are out of the office, when the case was laid in China's lap, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. However, she has only two-three days to find Anka and solve the case before matters get worse.
Dealing with freezing weather and blizzards, China in her own plodding way, learns there is more to the kidnapping than meets the proverbial eye. Within a few hours, four murders occur, which at the time don't seem relevant to her investigation. Unfortunately, to her dismay, they do.
I won't go into detail as the reader must learn for her or himself what China discovers and the trouble she invariably steps into, including wounds and narrow escapes.
Earlier, I mentioned four deaths that occur as the story unfolds. The reader will have to wade through this mystery to learn who is the fifth victim and how the person met their demise.
Author Carol Crigger does an excellent job of setting up what is an intricate plot and believable story line. This is the best book in the series and I look forward to reading the further adventures of China Bohannon. Well done.
It is 1896 and Spokane, Washington, is experiencing the worst winter in the city's history, when she is approached by flamboyant and wealthy German immigrant, Sepp Amsel. He hires China to investigate the kidnapping of Anka, the sister of his mail-order, bride-to-be, Jutte Kalb. He already believes the abduction was a set-up to "bamboozle" him out of thousands of dollars.
Since Uncle Monk and Gratton are out of the office, when the case was laid in China's lap, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. However, she has only two-three days to find Anka and solve the case before matters get worse.
Dealing with freezing weather and blizzards, China in her own plodding way, learns there is more to the kidnapping than meets the proverbial eye. Within a few hours, four murders occur, which at the time don't seem relevant to her investigation. Unfortunately, to her dismay, they do.
I won't go into detail as the reader must learn for her or himself what China discovers and the trouble she invariably steps into, including wounds and narrow escapes.
Earlier, I mentioned four deaths that occur as the story unfolds. The reader will have to wade through this mystery to learn who is the fifth victim and how the person met their demise.
Author Carol Crigger does an excellent job of setting up what is an intricate plot and believable story line. This is the best book in the series and I look forward to reading the further adventures of China Bohannon. Well done.
August 20, 2020
China’s First Cash Case!
Even in the midst of the worst Winter Seattle has ever known criminals are at work! China gets her first cash client when her services are contracted to find the kidnapped sister of the client’s fiancée.
But the case is more in involved than it sounds. The kidnappers mistook the sister for the client’s fiancée, and now they’re demanding a ransom of $2,000! If it’s not delivered on time they may harm her!
The case is China’s, but she’s not working alone. Monk and Grat are both at loose ends because of the snow, ice, and frigid temperatures, so she has plenty of help.
Can they find where the sister is being held? Can they discover who has concocted this nefarious plot? Will the weather improve enough to aid their investigation? Read Five Days, Five Dead and Find Out!
Even in the midst of the worst Winter Seattle has ever known criminals are at work! China gets her first cash client when her services are contracted to find the kidnapped sister of the client’s fiancée.
But the case is more in involved than it sounds. The kidnappers mistook the sister for the client’s fiancée, and now they’re demanding a ransom of $2,000! If it’s not delivered on time they may harm her!
The case is China’s, but she’s not working alone. Monk and Grat are both at loose ends because of the snow, ice, and frigid temperatures, so she has plenty of help.
Can they find where the sister is being held? Can they discover who has concocted this nefarious plot? Will the weather improve enough to aid their investigation? Read Five Days, Five Dead and Find Out!
June 9, 2024
What a great story!
This has fast become my favorite series! Who can pass up a smart woman who has a habit of getting in tight spots? Wonderful storyline!
This has fast become my favorite series! Who can pass up a smart woman who has a habit of getting in tight spots? Wonderful storyline!
July 23, 2019
China Bohannon is a young woman blessed with determination, intelligence and the ability and desire to look out for herself quite well but, unfortunately for China, she lives in a time when those characteristics are not generally seen as positive virtues. She’d very much like to be a “real” detective in her uncle’s agency but Uncle Monk and his partner, Gratton Doyle (who is much too attractive), just can’t be convinced that this is work suitable for a woman so she snatches her chances when she can.
When Sepp Amsel walks into the Doyle & Howe Detective Agency, China is fortuitously the only one there and she’s intrigued by what he tells her, starting with the fact that he came to engage her in particular. Amsel is in the gambling and saloon business and there are only a few days to save the young woman who has been abducted for ransom. Time might be especially short as the kidnappers have taken the wrong woman.
An already suspicious situation becomes more so when the Austrian mail order bride, sister of the kidnap victim, is less than helpful and, of course, there’s a whole lot more to this case. When Uncle Monk and Gratton find out about it, they naturally try to take over but they get led astray and China soon finds herself in a world of trouble, largely because of her inexperience. With the help of a few friends and with her beloved Bedlington terrier, Nimble, by her side China manages to keep one step ahead of mortal danger while following leads through the seamy side of Spokane during a harsh winter spell. Bodies are accumulating, though, and she has a lot of clues to sift through. Eventually, the guys return and their assistance is not entirely unwelcome.
Will the plaque in the office window ever read “Doyle, Howe & Bohannon”? Only time will tell if the two men will eventually acknowledge her talents enough to take the big step but, in the meantime, China is honing her skills one case at a time. I hope she’ll attain her dream one day but I’m enjoying watching her learn how to be a proper detective and can’t wait for her next adventure. This one is going on my list of best books read in 2019.
When Sepp Amsel walks into the Doyle & Howe Detective Agency, China is fortuitously the only one there and she’s intrigued by what he tells her, starting with the fact that he came to engage her in particular. Amsel is in the gambling and saloon business and there are only a few days to save the young woman who has been abducted for ransom. Time might be especially short as the kidnappers have taken the wrong woman.
An already suspicious situation becomes more so when the Austrian mail order bride, sister of the kidnap victim, is less than helpful and, of course, there’s a whole lot more to this case. When Uncle Monk and Gratton find out about it, they naturally try to take over but they get led astray and China soon finds herself in a world of trouble, largely because of her inexperience. With the help of a few friends and with her beloved Bedlington terrier, Nimble, by her side China manages to keep one step ahead of mortal danger while following leads through the seamy side of Spokane during a harsh winter spell. Bodies are accumulating, though, and she has a lot of clues to sift through. Eventually, the guys return and their assistance is not entirely unwelcome.
Will the plaque in the office window ever read “Doyle, Howe & Bohannon”? Only time will tell if the two men will eventually acknowledge her talents enough to take the big step but, in the meantime, China is honing her skills one case at a time. I hope she’ll attain her dream one day but I’m enjoying watching her learn how to be a proper detective and can’t wait for her next adventure. This one is going on my list of best books read in 2019.
February 8, 2019
It's the coldest winter Spokane has ever had, and the detective agency of Doyle & Howe doesn't have too much to do, especially office manager and would-be detective China Bohannon (Howe's niece). Then the man who owns gambling houses all over Washington stops in to hire her investigate the kidnapping of his soon-to-be sister-in-law, over from Austria with his sister, his mail-order bride. China doesn't like the bride at first sight, but she also doesn't surprise a web of murders and crime. Before she untangles the puzzles, and with the help of her partners, takes care of the criminal mastermind, there are dead bodies all over town.
March 20, 2019
This was a light fun read
July 22, 2019
Kept me engaged. A bit contrived but historical surroundings was interesting.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews