Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Pinkerton Matchmaker #19

An Agent for Jessica

Rate this book
To guard his heart or protect two little girls . . . Is he willing to risk it all?

1871

Pinkerton detective Chas Bryant's last job for the agency is supposed to be easy—deliver a cache of stolen items back to Mount Vernon after recovering them from profiteers. Soon, however, Chas discovers that nothing in this case is simple. When he’s called upon to search for a little girl gone missing after her parents are murdered, there’s only one woman who can help him . . . but he’ll need to make her his wife in order to complete the investigation.

Jessica Flanders is only trying to rescue her younger sister from a fate bleaker than death. How can the powers that be possibly think that separating them from each other is a good idea? Jessica made a dying promise to her parents. Now she needs Chas’s help to get her sister back, but when they dig deeper into the matter, they discover another little girl with an even greater need for being rescued.

Soon it becomes clear that someone else is searching for the missing girl, too. Can they keep her safe until the case is solved and the murderers are caught? If so, Chas and Jessica will need to forge a bond that is stronger than the evil forces surrounding them, and in the process, a love that will never be lost.

Read each of the Pinkerton Matchmaker stories in any order. These agents give the phrase "married to your work" a whole new meaning!

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 26, 2019

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Julia Ridgmont

36 books37 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
148 (64%)
4 stars
61 (26%)
3 stars
15 (6%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
1 star
4 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Melissa.
2,607 reviews277 followers
May 6, 2019
These are fun to read, I need to get some more. They are also a good way to get a feel for an author. This author does her homework. She had a bigger set up for this story but once she has everyone in place it takes off. You normally don't get that in a short story and I liked that this felt like a full length book. This was a good read and left me interested in checking out this author.
Profile Image for Jill.
840 reviews44 followers
July 5, 2019
My favorite by far

I think this is the best in the series that I have read for the simple fact that this couple worked best as a team to solve the crime. I love how the story started with the adventures of two brave kids and then evolved into an even more interesting and unexpected story. The three kids were written so well. Chas fully accepted Jessica as a partner, sharing intel, and treated her as an equal. This just made me love them as a couple and as a Pinkerton agent team. Plus the storyline was really good and had many twists and turns that made it an exciting read. I just loved this story and I’m so happy to see a new one in the series by this same author just came out.
Rating: PG, sweet clean romance
Profile Image for Marie.
5,673 reviews54 followers
March 15, 2021
Deceit and betrayal

Love, love, loved this one!
Jessica is awesome, she is as feisty and spirited as her red hair suggests and determined to protect and defend those who need it...Chas stands no chance in resisting her!
Chas is also a protector, he has spent ten years trying to heal the wounds left after the death of his family, but Jessica was the missing piece....meeting her, falling for her we see a calmness settle over him that has previously been missing. He no longer needs to search, he has found his soul, his home....his Jessica.
I also need to say how amazing Mark is- he stole my heart the moment he saved Sarah, such a smart and observant kid who has had a rough childhood but has finally found a place to belong and a future. I cannot wait to get to his and Sarah's book later in the series.
A kickass addition to the series which I read on Kindle Unlimited.
Profile Image for Linda.
Author 65 books660 followers
February 3, 2023
I love anything Pinkerton, so have enjoyed this series of books. Ms. Ridgmont’s story is an excellent addition to the series. The plot is clever and believable, and the characters are well-developed and relatable. Chas is a swoon-worthy hero: handsome, brave, and valiant. He has a big heart and is sensitive without losing any sense of masculinity. Jessica has had to handle things on her own for a long time, so is a strong woman for the time period – she’s had to be. They put aside their doubts and differences for the good of the case. Twists and turns kept me turning pages and guessing how things would turn out. The author has obviously done her research and does a wonderful job of using dialogue, description, and cultural references to set the era and tone of the story. Jessica’s bowler has significance, so pay attention!
2,365 reviews48 followers
August 4, 2020
An Agent for Jessica, the Pinkerton matchmaker #19, is a good versus evil book. The story takes place in April 1871. A suspicious fire at the Lyle Packard's house forces hired hand--13 year old Mark Wilson, to get daughter Sarah Packard out of harm. He takes her to an orphanage to keep her hidden and safe. At the same time, Jessica Flanders' younger sister is being taken to an orphanage since the law states that an unwed female may not adopt a child on her own. When Pinkerton agent Chas Bryant sees Jessica's struggle, he pretends to be her fiance. Working together, they are determined to rescue both girls and discover who set the Packard's house on fire. I enjoyed the characters and the plot.
2,674 reviews17 followers
March 4, 2019
Chas and Jessica

This story starts at a house farm and a loving family that owned it. Their house and barn was set in fire. The young stable hand, Mark and the daughter, Sarah were among the few that survived. Jessica and her younger sister, Any were orphans looking after each other. The fire starters were horse thrives and comment as well and wanted Sarah dead too. This story has many twist and turns with lots of adventure and excitement with a little romance thrown in for good measure. I enjoyed this story a lot and I think you will enjoy it too. There is never a dull moment.
Profile Image for Renate Deutsche Oma.
1,452 reviews
March 17, 2019
Julia Ridgmont is a new author to this avid reader. An Agent for Jessica is the first romance I read in the Pinkerton Matchmaker series. This well researched and well crafted story had some unexpected twists and turns. Issues of the time - woman's rights, orphans, Pinkerton agents, horse thieves, strong boxes - were seamlessly woven into this delightful romance. I immediately fell in love with the feisty red haired Jessica and empathized with her dilemma of taking care of her younger sister. Mark's quick thinking and resourcefulness even at thirteen had my sympathies. Great stories by talented authors. Received a copy for an honest review.
1,293 reviews4 followers
August 7, 2019
Once I noticed this book promoted I had to read it, mostly because my own published book "Orphan Train Angel Seeker" with the same cover model and Pinkerton theme was published in 2016. Ironic, but these similarities diverted quickly into different scenarios from different eras. Enjoyed this easy-to-read novella which maintained my interest from beginning-to-end and could very well appeal to a high school level reader and above. In addition, some interesting historical facts were portrayed which is always recommended for those who desire to expand their knowledge of our American history.
Profile Image for Shonda.
Author 10 books50 followers
March 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were wonderful, I really loved Mark and his protectiveness. I didn’t really like any character more than the other because they were all great. This story just kept me smiling, so many twist and turns. Julia Ridgmont did a beautiful job with the history brought to the story along with how she pulls at the heartstrings of the reader. This book is deserving of a book award!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
72 reviews7 followers
March 1, 2019
Julia Ridgemont masterfully weaves a suspenseful story of lessons, romance and love. Chas never wanted to be a husband or father and Jessica is a single woman who wants custody of her younger sister. Together through what starts as a marriage of convenience Chas and Jessica find their perfect HEA! I loved this story and highly recommend it!

I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
2,346 reviews82 followers
June 21, 2019
An Agent for Jessica by Julia Ridgmont
Narrated by C. H. Amelia
June 20, 2019
5 stars

I loved the narrator!
I’ve been reading this series, so this is my first audiobook of this series. I was shocked at first by Archibald’s Scottish accent because I don’t hear it when reading, but it was great and now I hope to listen to many more by this narrator!
The story was wonderful with twists and turns and a very different beginning that pulled me right in! I loved the ending!!
847 reviews
March 5, 2019
Great read

Another excellent adventure in the Pinkerton Matchmaker series with a devoted sister willing to go above and beyond the call of duty for her younger sister, even to the extent of flying on Faith and marrying a perfect stranger. And he did turn out to be perfect for her. Enjoy 💜👍
Profile Image for Robyn Echols.
Author 5 books28 followers
March 23, 2019
Heroes and Villains

I enjoyed reading this romance full of heroes, starting with a loyal thirteen year old employee, then two Pinkerton agents. The final one came as a surprise. The villains put together quite an involved scheme that took some serious investigation to sort out. Good characters and strong family bonds added to this story. A great read.
289 reviews1 follower
May 10, 2019
Clean romantic suspense.

This enjoyable story is about a Pinkerton agent ,on a case, joins up with a young lady. But a couple on a case need to be married, at least for the duration of the case. While they eventually solve the case will their marriage turn to be real? I recommend this author to any reader looking for an enjoyable read.
496 reviews11 followers
July 24, 2019
Predictable, but interesting

This installment of the Pinkerton series was a fun and interesting read. The main characters, Charles and Jessica, are on a quest to find out who wanted to murder the Packards and burn their house down. The case the agents' had to solve was predictable, but interesting. The sleuthing was believable and none of the characters did anything foolish.
Profile Image for Judith Nebel.
7 reviews
August 14, 2020
This is a great read!

Loved this well crafted story, which interweaves three plot lines : Catching robbers of historic artifacts, reuniting an orphan girl with her sister, and solving the puzzle of who and how an estate was torched, plus finding its horses and reuniting its family! Whew!! A very satisfying and uplifting story!
Profile Image for Carolyn Bryant.
996 reviews79 followers
January 12, 2023
An Agent For Jessica is Book 19 of the multi-author Pinkerton Matchmaker series. The cleverly structured plot, set in 1871 Virginia, features two storylines that merge into one with several surprising twists. Engaging characters, interesting historical detail, sweet romance, and a gentle faith thread combine to make an entertaining, inspiring read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I recommend it especially for historical and marriage of convenience fans. Note: even though this book is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.
356 reviews
March 24, 2019
Love, love, loved it!

Julia Richmond wrote a fantastic story! Jessica and Chad made such a great team! I loved watching their love grow as they found a way to solve the mystery surrounding their case.
Profile Image for Janet Swiftbird.
1,878 reviews6 followers
July 23, 2019
Good horse sense

He was tired and ready to retire, he just had one more job to do for Archie.
She couldn't understand why they took her sister, just because she wasn't married.
Follow these two on their quest to find answers.
159 reviews
October 10, 2019
Love the Writing Style and the Storyline!!!!!

Highly Recommend for Anyone and Everyone the writing style and a Wonderfully rounded out storyline are beyond compare. The last time l remember reading a book like this. Well without doubt it's Fantastic.
Profile Image for Sarah.
623 reviews43 followers
November 11, 2019
My first book in the Pinkerton Matchmaker series. It didn't disappoint and leaves me eager to read more. A fire that destroyed a home and was left to think people were dead. Two girls temporarily placed in an orphanage. An agent quickly married and both working on a case.
Profile Image for Staci Mitchell.
45 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2020
Awesome storyline full of twists, i didnt see comin. Very well written, ful of budding love an admiration for each other these characters learn alittle mor than they expected from each other, excellent read
1,040 reviews13 followers
June 20, 2023
good story

This was a very good story! I especially loved the integrity shown by the main characters and some of the supporting characters, as well as the faith & prayer included in the book! This was a clean romance.
Profile Image for Cindy Edwards.
324 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2019
Plot twist

Loved how the author made this one different. There is still a marriage and a case to solve, but look how she did it. GREAT BOOK
Profile Image for Nancy.
391 reviews
March 3, 2019
This was a great story that once I started reading it I couldn't put it down.
859 reviews2 followers
March 4, 2019
Pinkerton Matchmaker

An Agent for Jessica. This is a good book with drama and a bit of humor. I enjoyed the story and the romance was sweet.
259 reviews
March 13, 2019
Great read

A wonderful story. Chase and Jessica so belonged together. A sweet love story, a great mystery and full of intrigue. Wonderfully written.
Profile Image for Anita Rohn.
2,013 reviews9 followers
March 27, 2019
Adventure

History and heartstrings are blended together in this wonderful tale of adventure intrigue and fact finding. Strangers and Pinkerton detectives make it a page Turner.
Profile Image for Jeene Hobbs.
558 reviews1 follower
May 2, 2019
Excellent addition to series

A good solid crime to solve. Interwoven stories. A great hat. Horses and smart, intuitive children. All add up to an excellent addition to this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews