Darling Jack (Harlequin Historical) [Paperback]

Mary McBride (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Historical | Publication Date: June 1, 1996

Jack Hazard Needed A Wife

And Anna Matlin was the perfect woman for the job. Though she seemed like a timid mouse, Jack was convinced that the file clerk possessed a multitude of charms. Charms that he would soon expose as he drew her into his dangerous game of revenge.

Anna's colorless existence ended the day she became the "wife" of her hero, Jack Hazard. But though she was learning that beneath legendary Pinkerton detective's dashing exterior was a haunted, lonely man, still she longed for the brief assignment to become the role of a lifetime!

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

"Mad" (and gorgeous) Jack Hazard has returned from his mysterious vacation and he now needs a "wife" for his next case as Allan Pinkerton's most renowned detective. Among Pinkerton's file clerks is the young widow Anna Matlin, who prides herself on being as invisible as a mouse but suddenly finds herself packing to go with Jack. As she blossoms in both her detective and lover roles, Anna finds loving Jack complicated, not only because of his single-minded quest for revenge but also because of his desperate fight against alcoholism and a scarred childhood. Despite the dark Victorian overlay, there are moments of high hilarity in McBride's (Forever and a Day, Harequin, 1995) novel, an interesting blend of poignancy and humor. McBride lives in St. Louis, Mo.?MKC
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (June 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373289235
• ISBN-13: 978-0373289233
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,615,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! DEFINITELY A KEEPER --, April 7, 2005

By 

M. Hartmann "abayyan" (Milan, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Darling Jack (Harlequin Historical) (Paperback)

"Mad" Jack Hazard is a Pinkerton agent who is on a trip of Revenge. We keep wondering what it was that the Baroness did to him. Other than outsmart him in a jewerly hoist.

May of 1869 Jack shows up at the Pinkerton Office and tells Allen Pinkerton that he needs a "wife". Most all of the young women working in the office nearly swoon if "Mad" Jack even looks at them. He is 36 and the epitome of masculine beauty.
Ah, but the rumors. It seems that beneath the legendary Pinkerton detective's dashing exterior was a haunted, lonely man.

Twenty six year old widow, Anna Matlin had taken a position of filing at the Pinkerton Chicago office when her husband, Billy went west to find gold. He would send for her. That was six years ago. Anna blended into and kept to the background of life. Jack thought she would do for the job he had in mind.

He needed to use her as a buffer between him and his addiction to the Baroness. She had kept him in a drunken state and maybe even used him in some of her thefts.

Jack and his sister Madelaine were working a scheme to bring down the Baroness with a horse race. Only the Baroness gets ahold of Jack one more time. When Anna shows up Jack is falling down drunk but .........[extenuating circumstances]

Can Anna, who has become Jack's beloved "mouse", save Jack from his interior demons and break the spell that Chloe has wielded over him for better than a year.

Will the Pinkerton man, Freddie Broome, of the St. Louis office help nail Chloe and destroy Jack in the process.
Anna calls on the help of the Misses Dorothy and Verna Richmond to subdue Freddie. They are determined to be included in Anna's scheme to save Jack.

But can Anna keep Jack from slipping away and embracing death?

This is one whale of a man you dearly want to love.
This is one story you don't want to miss. Much too hard to put down.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED --m Definitely a keeper to be read again!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one stays on your mind long after it is over., July 12, 2006

By 

J. Lesley "(Judy)" (Midsouth, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Darling Jack (Harlequin Historical) (Paperback)

Author Mary McBride has written a story that has stayed with me long after I finished reading the book. Her depiction of Jack is truly amazing. He is a flawed hero whose problems began with his father and have escalated ever since. His relationship with the Baroness emphasized everything which was terribly wrong in his life. This story has a very dark side. Much more so than I am accustomed to reading from Harlequin Historicals. And yet, I always believed that Jack could be saved from himself and his (multiple) addictions. I just wanted his life to turn around and for him to be healed spiritually, physically and emotionally. Luckily Anna was able to do that for him. This author was so very wise to give Anna this type of personality. Anything else and there would have been an over-the-top story which would not have worked for me.

If you want to become personally involved with the characters in a story. If you want to see good triumph over evil. If you want to see the quiet, sweet, loveable girl get the great guy, then this is the book for you. I have read it four times now and I love it each and every time.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An unknown gem waiting to be discovered, October 25, 2010

By 

A.B. (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Darling Jack (Harlequin Historical) (Paperback)

This book came to my attention through the romance forum under the topic of flawed heroes. "Mad Jack" is definitely flawed but you will definitely root for him and his "little mouse" Anna. I stayed up all night reading this book. I rarely write reviews but couldn't believe there were only 2 for this fantastic book. I read at least 2-3 books a week and this is the best I've read in months. This is also my first Mary McBride and it won't be the last. TRACK DOWN this book!