Love in Disguise
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $4.99
Publisher Description
Delightfully Engaging Blend of Romance, Suspense, History, and Humor
When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona.
Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.
Mine owner Steven Pierce is about to lose his business after the theft of several bullion shipments--until hope arrives in the unlikely form of Lavinia Stewart, who offers to invest in Steven's mine. In his wildest dreams, Steven never expected to be rescued by an inquisitive gray-haired widow...or to fall head over heels for Lavinia's captivating niece, Jessie.
But then the thieves come after both Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Will she be forced to reveal her true identity before the criminals are caught? What will Steven do when he discovers the woman he loves doesn't exist?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
It's 1881 and Ellie Moore dreams of being on stage, but for now, she is personal assistant to an American actress headed to Europe. While Ellie is proficient in her duties, her haughty demeanor alienates her from co-workers. When she is summarily dismissed on the eve of their departure, Ellie finds herself frozen out of the theater community and in a financial decline. With no other prospects, she persuades the Pinkerton Detective Agency that she can use her theatrical talents to pull off the impersonation of a wealthy widow in order to apprehend thieves threatening to bankrupt an Arizona community of silver miners. Soon, Ellie realizes that to accomplish the task, she must also don the persona of the widow's niece, a ruse complicated by the attentions of mine owner Steven Pierce toward the niece, Jessie, and those of telegraph officer Amos Crawford toward the widow, Lavinia. When Ellie's alter egos arouse suspicion, she becomes targeted. Cox (A Bride So Fair) has fleshed out a fascinating cast of characters that move readers through a novel that dispenses romance and wit in the intriguing context of a Wild West mystery. A most delightful and engaging read.
