Customer Reviews

To Catch a Thief: Rescuing Sydney/Tangled Threads/Victorious/Skirted Clues (Inspirational Romance Collection)

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In this four story novella, TO CATCH A THIEF, authors Carol Cox, Lisa Harris, DiAnn Mills, and Kathleen Y'Barbo, create a delightful, interwoven tale of romance and mystery. These four female detectives are out to prove they have what it takes to be real-life detectives, but along the way begin to wonder if they'll forever be left to mend seams or mind stores. Then there is that little complication of romance, which springs up to complicate their missions. Will they find the culprits who've been robbing trains? Will they ever convince their male counterparts that they are just as good as any man at their jobs? Can love find its way into their hearts?

The third story, SKIRTED CLUES by DiAnn Mills, shows the escapades and misunderstandings between Moment Alexander and Brady Miller - a humorous, enjoyable tale. The interactions between these characters kept me turning pages. All of the tales were light-hearted, charming romances. You'll find TO CATCH A THIEF just what you're looking for. Don't miss it!

If you want to have some fun reading a book, try To Catch a Thief. The anthology follows four lady Pinkerton agents. The foursome sets off together for the uncivilized west. They are there to back up Gus Drummond, the Pinkerton already on the case.
Carol Cox begins with Tangled Threads. Ruth Hunnicut, insulted by Gus - who was expect-ing MEN as backup - doesn't waste her time trying to work with the stubborn agent. When Mark Chandler catches her eye, suspicion keep them apart - for awhile.
In Rescuing Sydney by Lisa Harris, Sydney has a secret that isolates her from the others. In-vestigating on her own, she uncovers a trail that no one else has seen and follows it straight into danger. When the Windmere Falls pastor John Langston befriends her, she tries to avoid him, and drags him into trouble with her.
DiAnn Mills wrote Skirting Clues. All the books are all whimsical, but Skirting may be the funniest. Moment Alexander`s stubbornness gets her into some tight spots, including with the reclu-sive rancher, Brady Miller. No couple could be less suited than a Pinkerton who's never sat a horse and a cowboy who may well need to be arrested.
The finale, Victorious, is written by Kathleen Y'Barbo. Lady Victoria shows more talent for making hats than catching thieves. Gus had finally admitted these ladies know what they're doing, except Victoria. But Victoria gets her man, and along the way she gets Gus' love.
The Pinkerton ladies bravely make missteps and stay on the case, even when western life and attractive men, try and lead them astray.
You'll be ensnared by the courageous, funny ladies in To Catch a Thief.
By Mary Connealy a columnist for the Lyons Mirror-Sun, where this review first was published.

Train robberies send four female Pinkerton agents undercover to Colorado on a quest for criminal and social justice.

"Tangled Threads." Ruth goes on the offensive after train robbers victimize her the day she arrives. Spurred to prove herself, she barrels past obvious clues in search of the obscure, but finds reasons to fraternize with a mine owner charmingly reminiscent of Bret Maverick with an A-type personality. Her inner conflict is so strong, I'd have enjoyed stronger motivations for the internal and romantic resolutions; Ms. Cox's ending felt as if it took a leap.

"Rescuing Sydney." Sydney falls off a train and into jail alongside a family friend. John, a minister, embodies the faith she turned away from and a ripening love that refuses to be ignored. Her internal growth is realistically layered, and I enjoyed her intelligent pursuit of the robbers. The well-balanced description grounds the reader in the scenes without interrupting the flow. This is an excellent inspirational romance debut by experienced writer Lisa Harris.

"Skirted Clues." Equinophobia upsets Moment's single-eyed investigation of a hermit rancher. Rescued by her prime suspect, she decides there's more to Brady than a troubling connection to the crimes. It'll take unraveling her own past to find out. I'd have enjoyed watching more of his internal growth occur onstage, but Ms. Mills' heroine has some strongly sympathetic moments.

"Victorious." Victoria butts heads with fellow agent Gus in her quest to reopen the case and snare the real mastermind. He suspects her real goal is capturing the local banker as a husband. She just might-if she doesn't fall in love with Gus first. I disliked Gus in the earlier stories, but Ms. Y'Barbo maximizes his point-of-view scenes, thoroughly winning me over. She has a gift for sizzling sexual tension, igniting sparks even in the short novella length.

These stories aren't complex who-done-its, but lighthearted reads easily finished in single sittings. The book is worth getting for Lisa Harris' debut alone, but she's surrounded in this anthology by other solid authors who make the reading experience as a whole quite enjoyable.

To Catch a Thief is an enjoyable anthology of stories seamlessly woven together as one, despite the fact that different authors wrote them. Each of the four 1890s heroines pioneers new territory both out West and in jobs for women of their time. As I read about these gallant Pinkerton women, I was flooded with memories of early Western movies and television, in which the viewer felt safe, knowing that the good guys - and gals, would always win. In this anthology, the reader returns "to those thrilling days of yesteryear," when The Lone Ranger, Annie Oakley, Cheyenne, or Sugarfoot rode in to save the day. One of the best features of the anthology is that not all of the heroes are drop-dead gorgeous, but they are strong men of God, a far more enduring characteristic.

To Catch a Thief is a terrific read, not only taking us on an exciting adventure, but also showing true to history how many godly men and women settled the American West.

You will really enjoy this set of four novellas, which reads nicely as one long book, but it's short enough to catch a bit on your lunch break. These 4 savvy Pinkerton agents are sent to Windmere Falls, Colorado, to assist a male Pinkerton agent who's investigating a series of train robberies. He's totally unprepared for his new "helpers." Best of all, these 4 different ladies manage to round up this band of bad guys. You will laugh out loud at some of the fun banter between characters, and bite your nails at some of the "cliffhangers." All four of these writers did a nice job a tying up each story.

I have read analogies but nothing compared TO CATCH A THIEF. It is written in an easy to read format and the large print is easy on the eyes. Although this analogy contains four novellas written by Carol Cox, Lisa Harris, DiAnn Mills and Kathleen Y'Barbo this one is written more like a novel.
The prologue sets the story in 1890 of four young women who worked for the Chicago Pinkerton Detective Agency. The women received their first assignment that took them to Colorado. Each novella unfolds the story of mystery and intrigue as the Pinkerton detectives catches the criminals and brought them to justice.
My favorite character in TO CATCH A THEIF was Moment Alexander. She leaped off the pages written by DiAnn Mills in Skirted Clues. Miss Alexander was raised with nine brothers. She was gusty and did not let her fear of horses stop her from catching the criminals.
If you enjoy mystery, romance and strong-minded women, I highly recommend this analogy TO CATCH A Thief.

"To Catch a Thief" contains four stories depicting lady Pinkertons from Chicago sent to Colorado to help solve the train robberies. Each lady catches her man in more ways than one. Two ladies are strong Christians and two are estranged from God but find their way back. The stories are humourous and romantic and very compelling. "Skirted Clues" was thoroughly enjoyable.

This book of interwoven novellas follow the fascinating adventures of 4 women in 1890's Colorado. But these aren't just your average women--they're female Pinkerton Detectives resolute on solving a string of mysterious train robberies by going undercover in the town of Windmere Falls.
The tales of Victoria, Sidney, Ruth, and Moment are a delightful and captivating escape into this time and setting in history. "Skirted Clues" was truly my favorite of the novellas. I felt drawn to the plot and pulled into the mystery. Moment Alexander is a wonderfully developed and charming character, as well as amusing at times. I laughed aloud at her fear of horses and the problems it caused her as a result. The idea that such a professional Pinkerton lady could have this phobia made her more real and easy to identify with. The relationship that blossoms between her and the rancher Brady Miller was fun to read and the conclusion was satisfying as well as exciting. You won't believe who Moment "nabs" at the tale's end, or who "nabs" her heart by suprise! The entire book is a must read by four very talented Christian authors.

Witty dialogue, humorous banter, crumbs along the hot trail left for the lady Pinkerton agents to find, and the anticipation of apprehending the suspects involved in the string of train robberies fill this "cozy mystery" and present an intriguing combination of stories.

Seeking to prove she's worth her salt to her male counterparts in Chicago, Ruth Hunnicut is the first of four female detectives to chip a hole in the case they've been sent to solve. As owner of a dressmaker's shop with her partner, Sydney de Clermont, she investigates the mysterious nighttime schedule of the town's telegraph operator and with the help of a local mine owner nabs the first suspect. Then, she and the mine owner create a garment of love out of the "Tangled Threads" that began their relationship. -- by Carol Cox.

Sydney de Clermont becomes a victim of the train robbers and her clumsy nature results in her fall off the train - right into the arms of a childhood friend. Fighting her attraction to him while trying to do her job, the unwanted attentions of the town sheriff and his suspicious source of substantial funds lead Sydney to seek out the truth behind his other line of work. When a confrontation at gunpoint ensues, the look in John's eyes as he comes upon the scene shows her that "Rescuing Sydney" is the last thing on his mind. -- by Lisa Harris.

Scared of horses and most other animals but spunky due to growing up with nine brothers, Moment Alexander finds herself involved with the owner of a ranch, a man she suspects is involved in the robberies. Resigned to remain single, her heart jumps when Brady Miller is shot and reveals a past job as a sheriff, mirroring the life and fate of her deceased husband. Matching wits and skill with Brady, "Skirted Clues" lead Moment to learn that the preacher's son isn't all he appears to be. Once two more thieves are apprehended, Moment and Brady join their lives and their jobs as fellow Pinkertons. -- by DiAnn Mills.

Although four thieves are behind bars, Victoria Barrett-Ames is convinced the "Ghost" is still at large. When the missing loot from the heists remains hidden, Victoria stands toe to toe with her superior Pinkerton and convinces him to reopen the case. Torn between her attraction for her infuriating boss and the attentions of the charming banker, Victoria stumbles upon a barrel of clues that lead to the final piece of the puzzle. When her the head Pinkerton agent acknowledges her "Victorious" find, they finally stop fighting against each other and settle into a lifetime of love. -- by Kathleen Y'Barbo.

Each one of these stories weaves a tale of mystery, intrigue, romance, adventure and humor with the proverbial 'happy ending' - but not before the four women show they can take care of themselves, with or without the support of the men who fall in love with them. With a flavor all their own, these four stories keep you turning the pages for more. If you're looking for all of the elements that make for a great read, you don't want to miss this anthology!

The compilation of "To Catch A Thief" was a wonderful mix of mystery and romance. Four Pinkerton ladies show they are every bit a match for their male counterparts. The third book, "Skirted Clues" by DiAnn Mills gave a delightful tale of fears overcome and love triumphing over every hurdle. I highly recommend these lovely books.