Isabelle Webb and her friend Sally Rhodes decide that they both need a break from the war-torn United States. Isabelle is recovering from an injury received as a Pinkerton spy, while trying to save President Lincoln from assassination. They decide to take a trip to India, and forget their troubles. Enroute they meet a handsome blacksmith from Utah named James Ashby, who is looking for his little brother, Phillip. Phillip was taken in by a con man Thaddeus Sparks, who was in search of a legendary jewel rumored to give the owner powers. While on board the steamer ship to Bombay they run into a woman, who claims to know about the jewel. It is suspicious that the Woman disappears the night before they reach India. They find themselves investigating not only the trail of a insane conman, but also a murder out for the jewel.
Traveling around British ruled India 1865 makes for an interesting setting and historical background for this novel. I was engaged by the suspense, but it took me a few chapters to really get into the story. The dialogue between the characters is sort of awkward because it sounded too modern, while trying to sound old. After reading the awkward first chapter I wondered if I would like the book. Yet, there are times the dialogue is spot on, and Isabella’s wit really shines. It was fun to read about a heroine that was competent, and not afraid to get in the middle of the action. I really got caught up in the storyline at the end and couldn’t put it down. I got really mad though because the story ended in a cliffhanger. It’s not a good one either, as in fair to the reader. I avoided writing this review for a few days because I was so mad about the ending. It seriously ended in the middle of a plot line. The book should have ended earlier or much later, but not where it did in my opinion. So, I would advise not reading the book until you can get the sequel, but saying that just makes me feel bitter because that’s like saying, “Oh, sure go pay $30 dollars for something that should have been one book in the first place. Let the publisher cheat you out of your hard earned money.” Yeah, still mad. Alas.
N.C. Allen Blog's at Ink Ladies:http://www.theinkladies.blogspot.com/
She also has her own blog at:http://ncallen.blogspot.com/
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