REVIEW: Death Train – Pinkerton Man Series Book 7 – C.J. Baty

Stiles Long and Michael O’Leary were asked to join two agents from the Secret Service to break up a counterfeiting ring. They didn’t usually work with other agents, but since several Secret Service agents had been killed, the president wanted the Pinkertons in on the job.

Reginald McCullough did not want to be anywhere near his uncle, but this was a chance for him to move up in the ranks. His new partner, Rochelle Warrant, was a stranger, but he’d do whatever it took to do a good job. When he entered his uncle’s office in St. Louis, he was shocked to see his old lover, Michael O’Leary there as well.

The assignment would take them on a new Pullman train across several states and cities. Death seemed to be at every turn. Stiles, Michael, Reginald, and Rochelle; all had attempts made on their lives. Every clue seemed to lead to a dead end.

Could Reginald pull Michael away from Stiles? Could they discover who the head of the counterfeit ring was before the end of the line in Santa Barbara, or would they end up just another dead agent riding the Death Train?

Reviewed by Linda Tonis

Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team

Stiles Long and his partner, Michael O’Leary, have accepted an assignment with the Secret Service. A couple of experienced agents were needed to coordinate and track a counterfeiting gang. When they met at James McCullough’s office Michael was taken aback by James’ nephew, Reginald, who was sent to work with them, and it was apparent that Michael and Reginald had history together.

Stiles knows that no matter what their history consists of nothing will separate them from each other. Six agents have died tracking this gang but although this is a dangerous assignment Stiles and Michael are ready. Working with Reginald, who apparently had a relationship with Michael when they were kids in boarding school, is an agent named Rochelle who both Michael and Stiles are suspicious of.

Their trip will be by train and when a man is poisoned and dies Michael and Stiles are convinced it was meant for Michael. Now the danger is greater because it seems their cover story has been discovered. The dead bodies keep piling up, a shooting, a stabbing and Rochelle nearly killed.

Michael comes close to death when he is poisoned but fortunately, he only ate a small amount, very sick but not dead. There is no telling who is responsible, but Michael and Stiles suspicions grow. A doctor who treats Rochelle also falls on the suspect list but locating the killer or killers becomes essential.

Reginald doesn’t go untouched but lives to tell the tale, a tale with no answers as to who did it. The search is on, but it always leads to dead ends. Stiles, Michael and Reginald are all in danger but unfortunately, as the danger grows there are no real answers to who is involved.

Like all the books in the Pinkerton series there is suspense, sex and a mystery to be solved. Watching Stiles and Michael investigate while trying to stay alive is scary and exciting at the same time. Their love for each other is very real and although Reginald is gay, he does not believe that it is a forever love. So many believe that two men cannot have a long-lasting relationship, it is sex and nothing more. Stiles and Michael who once believed that now know how false that belief is.

This book is filled with betrayal, lies, secrets, suspense and murder. I highly recommend this book and this series and although the books are standalone it would be sad not to read them all to find out how Michael and Stiles’s relationship began.