Lindler (Kiss of a Traitor
) opens this wide-ranging historical romance with an intriguing premise: the discovery, late in Queen Victoria's reign, of a living saber-tooth tiger, thought extinct for 10,000 years. Kidnapped by pirates, set adrift far from land, explorer Richard Colchester hangs on to the secret of the cat's location as his tomboy niece, Samantha, organizes an expedition to save him. Her bratty antics are the flaw in this otherwise entertaining tale, as the nonstop action relies too heavily on her unbelievable foolishness and penchant for outrageous risks. Endlessly nosy and demanding, Sam is nonetheless engaging, and she infuriates biologist Christian Badia until he decides to either lock her up or marry her. Lindler writes in a smooth style, providing evocative descriptions and compelling historical details as well as a satisfying surprise ending. (Apr.)
