Maggie Taylor (Cartwright) is undercover as a Pinkerton operative arriving by train in 1882. Her assignment has been corresponding with Garrett Thomas from Furnace Creek, Arizona who advertised for a mail order bride. Garrett is a suspected thief and murderer and Maggie and her partner Rikker are there to take him down. Acting a perfect little fiancée should be easy until proof of his guilt is proven.

Following clues of the missing dollars from the Whistle- Stop train robbery should have Maggie packing for home in a couple of weeks. Elise, Garrett's five-year-old daughter and Toby, his mischievous eight-year-old son, are two obstacles she hadn't counted on falling in love with, and their father close behind. The more Maggie investigates the man she has fallen for, the more she is convinced they have the wrong man. Garrett is far too compassionate and kind to do what he is accused of. If Maggie can find the real thief and killer, will Garrett ever be able to forgive her for all the lies and deception?

UNDERCOVER BRIDE is the first I have had the absolute pleasure of reading by Margaret Brownley from her Undercover Ladies series. I was completely captured by the wittiness of Maggie as well as her quick ability to fall in love with Garrett's children. This fast-paced and adventuresome tale is amusing and captivating while laced with mystery throughout the book. Margaret Brownley has the ability to grab the attention of the reader and keep it to the very end.

Book Summary

Pinkerton detective Maggie Cartwright is tasked with going undercover as a mail order bride. Her “fiancé” is widower Garrett Thomas, aka the suspected Whistle-Stop Bandit. No sooner does Maggie arrive in Arizona Territory when she’s confronted with an early wedding date—the clock is ticking on her detective work or she may end up a criminal’s wife!

As the day of the wedding draws near, Maggie begins to panic. The problem is that the more she gets to know Garrett and his two adorable children, the harder it is to keep up the deception. Can a man as kind and gentle as Garrett really be the Whistle-Stop Bandit?