Calico Spy by Margaret Brownley

Katie is sent out on a new case.  She's a Pinkerton detective and there have been two murders at the Harvey House she is infiltrating.  She's no waitress but she's going to have to learn fast.  Working on the inside should give her a better chance at identifying the killer.  The sheriff isn't impressed.  He thinks she's putting herself in danger.

Barbour Publishing and Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read this book for review (thank you).  It will be published tomorrow and there are others in this series, too.  They are all good reads.

You can tell that Katie and the sheriff will most likely be a couple before the story ends.  They have a ways to go before that happens, though.

The sheriff has a son but he's a widower.  Katie's love only used her to get close to her older sister.  They both aren't interested in new commitments.  But they do have to work together to try to identify the killer.

In addition to the murder mystery, there's an abused wife hiding from her husband and the return of the sheriff's boy's father.  His mother said he was dead.  No he'd just run off.  And now he wants "his" son and the inheritance that comes with him.  All these things climax at the same time the mystery is being solved.

The strange older woman in the story wasn't loosing her mind, it did involve someone from Harvey House, and the killer was someone I didn't suspect.  This is a good read set in the old west days and the author writes a smooth satisfying story.  Give it a read.  I'd recommend reading the whole series.

Undercover Bride by Margaret Brownley

She's a Pinkerton agent.  She'll do anything she needs to do to get evidence.  Even pretend she's a mail order bride...

Shiloh Run Press and Net Galley allowed me to read this book for review (thank you).  It's already been published, so check with your local bookstore for a copy.

Maggie is checking out Garrett Thomas.  He's a widower with two children and he's suspected of being a train robber.  She goes all prepared to find the money and get out.  But finding the money is not easy.  He keeps his bedroom locked and she hasn't found a hint of any secret in the house.  Not even the outbuildings show her much.  How is she going to prove her case?  And does she want to once she gets to know him?

Garrett's Aunt Hetty is off and running with wedding plans.  The whole town is grinning at her.  She's even trying a wedding gown and the whole time she feels like a fraud.  That all changes when she finds the money up in the children's "tree house" in the barn.  Then she has no choice but to turn him in.

She does, but she doesn't believe he's guilty.  So she keeps looking and she cons her Pinkerton partner into staying longer and helping her.  The romance is sweet but the mystery was intriguing and kept me reading.  I spent more time smiling while I read this story than I usually do when reading and I liked that.  I really liked the ending.  Try it and tell me what you think.