about the book

Where is Mrs. Smith’s granddaughter? Who is the mysterious Mrs. Smith?

Pinkerton agent Jonah Cahill is hired by the mysterious widow to find her lost granddaughter, rumored to be living in Galveston, Texas. Though Jonah prefers to travel alone, Mrs. Smith insists that she and her companion accompany him.

Madeline Latour, investigative reporter, has been acting as Mrs. Smith’s assistant for several months, and Madeline will not allow anyone—even a Pinkerton agent—to ruin the story of a lifetime. The pair forges an uneasy truce as the investigation grows dangerous.

Is there a bigger story beyond a missing girl to be revealed?

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my thoughts

A Pinkerton investigation into a missing person case over two decades old is the clever backdrop of this often quarrelsome second-chance romance. Familial devotion, secrets, and hidden dangers with the added intrigue of rumored pirate treasure create an engaging storyline for these genuine characters.

Madeline Latour is a driven investigative reporter. She is relentless in her pursuit of the next big story and occasionally misguided in her methods. Despite her failure to look before leaping, I certainly admire Madeline’s enthusiasm and determination.

Jonah Cahill is a dedicated Pinkerton agent and devoted to caring for his mother and sister. As a tall, dark, and handsome mister steady, he possesses some of my favorite hero characteristics. Jonah is reliable, safe, and a man of integrity.

Y’Barbo has included several memorable secondary characters such as the quirky Mrs. Smith, Jonah’s spunky sister, and Madeline’s mysterious father. The attraction and buried affection between the two main characters had me cheering them on to forgiveness and a future. I recommend this story!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

about the author

RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.

Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots (read about their real-life romance here!). Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.