Monday, December 28, 2015

Margaret Brownley's "Calico Spy" - sweet and humorous

Calico Spy  -     By: Margaret Brownley
Even weeks after the murder of two Harvey Girls, Sheriff Branch Whitman is getting nowhere on the case, so Harvey calls in a Pinkerton detective. Branch has never liked the Pinkertons, but he might make an exception this time for the pretty agent masquerading as one of Harvey's waitresses. Will they be able to track down the murderer? Or will another Harvey Girl--maybe a red-headed agent--be caught instead?

It was fun reading a story involving TWO of the more unusual--but factual--jobs for women: Pinkerton agent and Harvey Girl. Harvey Girls, the waitresses at Mr. Harvey's rail-side restaurants, were held to a very high moral standard, while Pinkerton agents (even the males) were not necessarily known for their scruples. But Pinkerton was the first to recruit women as agents, and Harvey turned waitressing into a respectable occupation. Neither job was easy (both TONS of work), so it's impressive Katie manages to do both as well as she does. I enjoyed all the tidbits about the waitresses and female agents sprinkled throughout the book (and the series).

Plenty of humor and some sweet scenes, especially about Branch and his love for his son. It was fun getting to know the other Harvey staff beneath their proper exteriors, as well as the colorful locals that frequent the establishment. A fun, sweet read.

Thank you Barbour and NetGalley for providing an e-copy to review; I was not required to make the review positive, and all opinions are my own.

Undercover Ladies
1. Petticoat Detective
2. Undercover Bride
3. Calico Spy 

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