Love in Disguise

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. (June)