THE BLACK MIDNIGHT
by
Kathleen Y'Barbo
Genre: Fiction / Historical Mystery / True Crime
Publisher: Barbour Books
Publication Date: August 1, 2020
Number of Pages: 257
***Scroll Down for the Giveaway!***
The prospect of a second chance at catching the man who terrorized Austin three years ago just might entice Isaiah Joplin out of his comfortable life as an Austin lawyer, even if it does mean working with the Queen’s great-granddaughter again. If his theories are right, they’ll find the Midnight Assassin and, by default, the Ripper. If they’re wrong, he and Annie are in a bigger mess than the one the lady detective left behind when she departed Austin under cover of darkness three years ago.
Can the unlikely pair find the truth of who is behind the murders before they are drawn into the killer’s deadly game? From Texas to London, the story navigates the fine line between truth and fiction as Annie and Isaiah ultimately find the hunters have become the hunted.
“Warning! Don’t read this historical romantic suspense at night!” —DiAnn Mills, Expect an Adventure
“Impeccably researched with sparkling dialogue and riveting history, Kathleen Y’Barbo’s The Black Midnight puts a pair of star-crossed Pinkerton detectives on the trail of a Texas killer who may also be the notorious Jack the Ripper. Very highly recommended and sure to keep you reading well past your bedtime!!" —Colleen Thompson, RITA-nominated author of Deadly Texas Summer
“You're in for a wild ride as Kathleen Y'Barbo takes you on a story through some of America and Britain's grisliest murders and somehow manages to weave in a delicious romance. From Texas to London, the ties that bind may be more linked than you previously believed. Settle in for a novel of suspense and romance—just be sure to look over your shoulder every now and then!” —Jaime Jo Wright, 2018 Christy Award-winning author of The House on Foster Hill and 2020 Inspy Award-nominated The Curse of Misty Wayfair
CLICK TO PURCHASE:
Excerpt
from Chapter 22 of The Black Midnight
by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Part 2
A meeting with Queen Victoria’s
advisors
Buckingham Palace, London
April 1889
Annie held her breath. The Texan had executed a
perfect bow when she entered the room and so far had followed all the rules of
protocol he’d only just learned a few minutes earlier.
“Detective Joplin of the Pinkerton Agency,” the queen
said.
“I was, Your Majesty,” he told her. “Though I have
recently taken up lawyering.”
“An unfortunate turn of events,” she said. “We’ll not
need a lawyer here today, thus we hope you have retained some of the knowledge
that you once possessed when you actually were a detective.”
Annie detected the slightest hint of a smile beneath
Isaiah’s serious expression. “Yes ma’am.
I believe that I have.”
Granny continued to study him. Unlike the other men in
the room, Isaiah did not cower under the queen’s icy presence. Rather, he
appeared ready to continue their conversation should Her Majesty wish to do so.
“What else have you retained from the time when you
were a detective, young man?” Granny glanced down at his footwear and then back
up at Isaiah as she waited for his response.
“I have learned that patience is a virtue.” He paused.
“And that what is meant to be will be.”
One dark brow lifted. “And what cannot be?”
“Takes a little longer, ma’am,” he said in his Texas
drawl.
Annie wasn’t sure whether to gasp or laugh. She
decided it best to do neither.
The room fell into silence. Even the courtiers had
stopped their whispering. Every eye was on the queen and the Texan who towered
over her.
Finally she spoke. “Have you made the acquaintance of
William Cody, Mr. Joplin?”
“Buffalo Bill? Yes ma’am, I have.” He paused. “I
understand he performed here for your Jubilee.”
“We were pleased with that performance.” Her gaze slid
to the floor and then returned to his eyes. “We were gifted with footwear much
like his cowboys wore. Unfortunately, the ornamentation on them has rendered
the boots quite decorative and unfit for our stables.” She paused. “We would
much prefer a pair like yours.”
“Ma’am, with your permission I could see that you have
them,” he said. “It would be my honor.”
The queen never broke her even gaze or showed any
indication of her thoughts on the matter. Then, finally she offered a very
slight dip of her head. “We shall allow it. However, we must wonder at the
advisability of wearing such footwear meant for the stables on our valuable
carpets. Do we understand one another?”
Annie held her breath in anticipation of what the
detective would say. Knowing Isaiah, it could be anything from a polite
response to another of his cheeky comments.
After a moment, he nodded. “Yes, ma’am. We do.”
***GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!***
FIVE WINNERS!
One Winner: Signed copy of The Black Midnight + $20 Amazon gift card
Four Winners: Signed copy of The Black Midnight
AUGUST 6-16, 2020
(US ONLY)
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8/6/20
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BONUS Post
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8/7/20
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Author Interview
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Review
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Excerpt
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Excerpt
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Review
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Guest Post
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Review
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Author Interview
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