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Colby Agency #31
Identity Unknown
Colby Agency's Patrick O'Brien knew only two things for Sande Williams was a complete mystery and a woman in serious trouble. She was also gorgeous, but he wasn't about to put that in his internal report.
She'd woken up in a morgue—with toe tag and all! How could that happen, and why didn't she know who she was or where she'd come from? One by one the people associated with her were turning up dead. Was she an unwilling participant in an identity scheme or an accomplice? It was just the kind of case the Colby Agency took on—and just the kind of woman who could worm her way into Patrick's closed-off heart. But would he be next in line for termination…?
She'd woken up in a morgue—with toe tag and all! How could that happen, and why didn't she know who she was or where she'd come from? One by one the people associated with her were turning up dead. Was she an unwilling participant in an identity scheme or an accomplice? It was just the kind of case the Colby Agency took on—and just the kind of woman who could worm her way into Patrick's closed-off heart. But would he be next in line for termination…?
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
About the author
Debra Webb
559 books2,505 followersDEBRA WEBB is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 180 novels, including reader favorites the Finley O'Sullivan and Devlin & Falco series. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers Choice Awards. In 2012 Debra was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for her courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Recently Debra was awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having achieved publication of her 100th novel.
With more than ten million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
With more than ten million books in print in numerous languages and countries, Debra’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood when her mother bought her an old typewriter in a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Debra grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. She wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the Commanding General of the US Army in Berlin behind the Iron Curtain and a five-year stint in NASA’s Shuttle Program that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set. Since then she has expanded her work into some of the darkest places the human psyche dares to go. Visit Debra at www.debrawebb.com.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 1, 2017
“God, she was so cold. She hugged the sheet more closely, then wrinkled her nose. Why was the sheet covering her face?”
This is an unusually subdued Mills and Boon Intrigue which is also atypical in that this one is much more focused on the mystery than the romance. In fact, the romance is barely one at all until the very end, the gradual feelings very low-key. Though it is firmly steeped in the Mills and Boon sub-genre of intrigue mixed with romance, it has a slightly better and more serious story to keep the reader interested throughout, skirting the edges of its Harlequin/Mills and Boon limitations.
This is a Colby Agency entry, and while it gets a bit eye-rollingly pulpy at times with tropes like a CIA “legend”, the mystery is just complex enough and interesting enough to keep the reader turning pages. It helps that there is a terrific opening, with a petite blonde woman with no memory of who she is, waking up in the hallway outside the morgue. Obviously, she’s frightened, and realizes she couldn’t have ended up there by mistake. Realizing someone wanted her dead, but not knowing why or who, she high-tails it out of there. But what then?
“A pang of sadness settled deep in her chest. Maybe that was the worst part of all. Not having anyone who really cared whether she lived or died. No one should be that alone.”
Enter the Colby Agency, run by Victoria Colby-Camp. Former Marine Captain Windy Millwood is assigned the case with Patrick O’Brien. He is still reeling from his wife’s death, and what he found out about her because of it. This is his first field assignment. Debra Webb does a good job making a pretty wild premise seem just realistic enough that the reader just goes with it. Sande Williams — if that’s her real name — seems to be a harbinger of death to anyone Patrick questions, and soon the bodies pile up. This sadly includes one of the agency’s own. The deaths are mostly after-the-fact, off-screen, so there’s no gore, but there is plenty of mystery surrounding what’s going on. It’s also a mystery in regard to Sande’s memory loss. Was it drugs which caused it, or was it trauma?
An elaborate identity theft operation appears to be at the heart of things, and possibly a covert FBI operation. A homicide detective and his partner also want answers. Once Sande Williams remembers who she is, things take another intriguing turn. That change of roles is handled fairly well, as are the low-key romantic feelings brewing in Patrick O’Brien’s heart, surprising him because he’s been emotionally withdrawn since his wife’s death. Another nice point in the narrative is the author’s willingness to go places you don’t usually associate with this genre:
“Sande had no idea if she was a spiritual person or not, but just then praying felt like the right thing to do. She stepped beneath the spray of hot water and she prayed. Prayed for God to help her find the truth and for him to forgive her for whatever wrong things she might have done in the past.”
Once the startling revelation of Sande’s identity is revealed, the narrative picks up speed, and takes on a slightly different tone. There is a small twist, and the action is wrapped up nicely. The romance, like everything in the book, is handled with a modicum of passion; more a promise of what might happen down the road. There is also an addendum concerning the Colby Agency adding a new department, which might tie in with “Sande’s” future, and of course, Patrick’s.
Overall this is a tidy and enjoyable little mystery with just a dash of romance. I suspect it won’t appeal to all Mills and Boon Intrigue fans as this isn’t a “fun” romance, there is no “steam” to speak of, and the romance definitely takes a backseat to the mystery. It’s pretty good stuff, if perhaps a tad low-key at times, but recommended more for those who enjoy the mystery more than the romance.
This is an unusually subdued Mills and Boon Intrigue which is also atypical in that this one is much more focused on the mystery than the romance. In fact, the romance is barely one at all until the very end, the gradual feelings very low-key. Though it is firmly steeped in the Mills and Boon sub-genre of intrigue mixed with romance, it has a slightly better and more serious story to keep the reader interested throughout, skirting the edges of its Harlequin/Mills and Boon limitations.
This is a Colby Agency entry, and while it gets a bit eye-rollingly pulpy at times with tropes like a CIA “legend”, the mystery is just complex enough and interesting enough to keep the reader turning pages. It helps that there is a terrific opening, with a petite blonde woman with no memory of who she is, waking up in the hallway outside the morgue. Obviously, she’s frightened, and realizes she couldn’t have ended up there by mistake. Realizing someone wanted her dead, but not knowing why or who, she high-tails it out of there. But what then?
“A pang of sadness settled deep in her chest. Maybe that was the worst part of all. Not having anyone who really cared whether she lived or died. No one should be that alone.”
Enter the Colby Agency, run by Victoria Colby-Camp. Former Marine Captain Windy Millwood is assigned the case with Patrick O’Brien. He is still reeling from his wife’s death, and what he found out about her because of it. This is his first field assignment. Debra Webb does a good job making a pretty wild premise seem just realistic enough that the reader just goes with it. Sande Williams — if that’s her real name — seems to be a harbinger of death to anyone Patrick questions, and soon the bodies pile up. This sadly includes one of the agency’s own. The deaths are mostly after-the-fact, off-screen, so there’s no gore, but there is plenty of mystery surrounding what’s going on. It’s also a mystery in regard to Sande’s memory loss. Was it drugs which caused it, or was it trauma?
An elaborate identity theft operation appears to be at the heart of things, and possibly a covert FBI operation. A homicide detective and his partner also want answers. Once Sande Williams remembers who she is, things take another intriguing turn. That change of roles is handled fairly well, as are the low-key romantic feelings brewing in Patrick O’Brien’s heart, surprising him because he’s been emotionally withdrawn since his wife’s death. Another nice point in the narrative is the author’s willingness to go places you don’t usually associate with this genre:
“Sande had no idea if she was a spiritual person or not, but just then praying felt like the right thing to do. She stepped beneath the spray of hot water and she prayed. Prayed for God to help her find the truth and for him to forgive her for whatever wrong things she might have done in the past.”
Once the startling revelation of Sande’s identity is revealed, the narrative picks up speed, and takes on a slightly different tone. There is a small twist, and the action is wrapped up nicely. The romance, like everything in the book, is handled with a modicum of passion; more a promise of what might happen down the road. There is also an addendum concerning the Colby Agency adding a new department, which might tie in with “Sande’s” future, and of course, Patrick’s.
Overall this is a tidy and enjoyable little mystery with just a dash of romance. I suspect it won’t appeal to all Mills and Boon Intrigue fans as this isn’t a “fun” romance, there is no “steam” to speak of, and the romance definitely takes a backseat to the mystery. It’s pretty good stuff, if perhaps a tad low-key at times, but recommended more for those who enjoy the mystery more than the romance.
May 12, 2017
A mystery with a plot full of twists.
November 12, 2011
Where was the romance?
waking with no memory, 'Sande Williams' arrives at the Colby Agency seeking help revealing her past. When it becomes obvious that she wasn't suppose to wake up in the morgue at all and deaths begin following her around, its clear her life my be next.
Connecting with Patrick O'Brien, he promises to protect her and find the truth. But he has skeletons in his closet too.
Despite the spark that is between them, there is absolutely no romance to speak of. The two kisses feel forced and do not complement the story.
Eventually she remembers and guess what? She's really an undercover Agent. Taking charge she finds a way to catch the killer.
but Patrick's not letting her go back to work until they figure out their attraction.
Poor example of a romance.
waking with no memory, 'Sande Williams' arrives at the Colby Agency seeking help revealing her past. When it becomes obvious that she wasn't suppose to wake up in the morgue at all and deaths begin following her around, its clear her life my be next.
Connecting with Patrick O'Brien, he promises to protect her and find the truth. But he has skeletons in his closet too.
Despite the spark that is between them, there is absolutely no romance to speak of. The two kisses feel forced and do not complement the story.
Eventually she remembers and guess what? She's really an undercover Agent. Taking charge she finds a way to catch the killer.
but Patrick's not letting her go back to work until they figure out their attraction.
Poor example of a romance.
January 25, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! I love all the books about the Colby Agency.
The plot was great, and the twist, and suspense kept me interested until the last page. Sande wakes up in the morgue of the hospital, with a toe tag. She didn’t know who she was, but had the instinct to run, she knew her life was in danger. So she ran, with only a sheet wrapped around her. A homeless lady helped her, and gave her some clothes to wear. The lady also told her she needed to go to the Colby Agency, that they could help her. She went and ask for help. Patrick was assigned her case. He knew that Sande was involved in something big, when the people he needed answers from were being killed. I enjoyed the friendship between Patrick, and Sande. This was more of a suspense than It was an action. It was still a really good story.
The plot was great, and the twist, and suspense kept me interested until the last page. Sande wakes up in the morgue of the hospital, with a toe tag. She didn’t know who she was, but had the instinct to run, she knew her life was in danger. So she ran, with only a sheet wrapped around her. A homeless lady helped her, and gave her some clothes to wear. The lady also told her she needed to go to the Colby Agency, that they could help her. She went and ask for help. Patrick was assigned her case. He knew that Sande was involved in something big, when the people he needed answers from were being killed. I enjoyed the friendship between Patrick, and Sande. This was more of a suspense than It was an action. It was still a really good story.
December 30, 2025
This Intrigue starts off with a bang. Heroine wakes up in the morgue with a sheet over her face and a tag on her toe. She can't remember her name or anything else but, after convincing herself that she's alive, makes a speedy escape into the Chicago cold wrapped in only her sheet. The action continues at a good pace thereafter and the bodies pile up faster than snowflakes in Siberia.
So why not 5*? Unfortunately the romance does not match the mystery. Part of this is the h's split personality. Not literally of course, but the person she is in the first 170 pages, uncertain and sweet, is 180 degrees from the person she turns out to be in the last 50 pages, alpha and plotting. Just as well the H seemed to prefer the alpha version, but I was getting whiplash. There just wasn't enough time left for love to develop between the H and the h's 'real' self.
No ILY's and no HEA, barely HFN really. This was badly in need of an epilogue, but such as there was focused entirely on the the owner of the Colby agency, who interested me not at all. I want to see the H and h smooch and make a go of it, dammit.
So (5* + 3*)/2 = 4*. Who says I'm not a math genius??
So why not 5*? Unfortunately the romance does not match the mystery. Part of this is the h's split personality. Not literally of course, but the person she is in the first 170 pages, uncertain and sweet, is 180 degrees from the person she turns out to be in the last 50 pages, alpha and plotting. Just as well the H seemed to prefer the alpha version, but I was getting whiplash. There just wasn't enough time left for love to develop between the H and the h's 'real' self.
No ILY's and no HEA, barely HFN really. This was badly in need of an epilogue, but such as there was focused entirely on the the owner of the Colby agency, who interested me not at all. I want to see the H and h smooch and make a go of it, dammit.
So (5* + 3*)/2 = 4*. Who says I'm not a math genius??
April 12, 2024
3.5 stars
July 31, 2012
Yes...I read a Harlequin romance. And yes, I actually liked it (although I'm ashamed to admit it!). I've only read one Harlequin book before and it was smeared with sex scenes that would even make "50 Shades of Grey" blush. However, this book didn't have a single sex scene, and even not much of a love story! But this is why I liked it, the drama and mystery side of it was actually compelling and quite good!!!!!
The following may or may not contain spoilers.
Sande Williams is shocked when she wakes up in a morgue under a sheet with a toe tag and no memory whatsover of who she is and where she got there. Yikes! Feeling in danger (who wouldn't?) she escapes and gets the help of the famous Colby Detective Agency. Agent Patrick O'Brien is assigned to the case, and his troubled past makes him have difficulties trusting people. However, he is trained in psycology which is crucial for this case. Soon more trouble happens when everyone who speaks with Sande winds up dead! Who is after her, and why, and who was she? Was she a criminal herself, or an innocent victim?
Nice twists pop up all over the place, which really surprised me for a book like this, which I would consider low-budget and whatnot. I was impressed with the other Harlequin book I read too, so maybe I underestimate them and just expect them to be crap since they are published monthly and mass market for a VERY low price. But maybe i will read one again soon, because if most of them are like this it is a nice little treat of books to just have a mindless (yet entertaining) read. This little book did it's job. Kudos Harlequin and Kudos Debra Webb!
The following may or may not contain spoilers.
Sande Williams is shocked when she wakes up in a morgue under a sheet with a toe tag and no memory whatsover of who she is and where she got there. Yikes! Feeling in danger (who wouldn't?) she escapes and gets the help of the famous Colby Detective Agency. Agent Patrick O'Brien is assigned to the case, and his troubled past makes him have difficulties trusting people. However, he is trained in psycology which is crucial for this case. Soon more trouble happens when everyone who speaks with Sande winds up dead! Who is after her, and why, and who was she? Was she a criminal herself, or an innocent victim?
Nice twists pop up all over the place, which really surprised me for a book like this, which I would consider low-budget and whatnot. I was impressed with the other Harlequin book I read too, so maybe I underestimate them and just expect them to be crap since they are published monthly and mass market for a VERY low price. But maybe i will read one again soon, because if most of them are like this it is a nice little treat of books to just have a mindless (yet entertaining) read. This little book did it's job. Kudos Harlequin and Kudos Debra Webb!
June 8, 2013
I found myself surprisingly really enjoying this, and will definitely read more by Webb!
There's not really all that much romance, with the captivating story gripping the reader instead, wondering about what happened to Sande Williams, the protagonist in the story, who wakes up in a morgue with no memory of her past. But when it comes, it's fierce, and you're hungry for more! Will definitely be reading more of the M&B Intrigue genre!
There's not really all that much romance, with the captivating story gripping the reader instead, wondering about what happened to Sande Williams, the protagonist in the story, who wakes up in a morgue with no memory of her past. But when it comes, it's fierce, and you're hungry for more! Will definitely be reading more of the M&B Intrigue genre!
May 25, 2014
Was a cute read. Wasn't the best harlequin, I didn't feel that the characters connected all that much, it was more about finding out who she was the mystery and not much romance. I still love reading this series though.
August 7, 2009
Love the book and series!
October 5, 2012
i loved this book:) it was very different:))
January 15, 2015
The story was pretty good. But, I expected a little romance from a romance book and this had none - well, maybe a hint by the end.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews