In a mystery as twisty as the Rio Grande, Loveda Brown takes a fateful Texas two-step on her journey West and has to hunt down a rattler.
Señora Loveda Dunn’s newly found marital bliss is interrupted when she discovers the maid sleeping in the bridal bed instead of making it. A week after dismissing the maid in a flash of fury, Loveda finds the woman dead in the orchard.
The handsome Mr. Dunn would rather she focus on her civic duties in town than the shadowy doings on the rancho, but Loveda follows her suspicions to a discovery that threatens her husband, her town, and her country.
Please leave your review for Loveda Brown: Rattler here!
This is a fun story. The history was excellent and I felt like I was right there in hot, dusty Texas on the ranch, in the hospital, at the train depot and elsewhere in El Paso. I had to try to recall my lessons on the Mexican Revolution. I don’t remember learning that much about it and what was going on the story was obvious but why was a little confusing. I didn’t know there were Mormons in Mexico and Mormon refugees fled the Mexican Revolution, crossed the border into Texas and … were sent back! Surprise surprise. These Mormons seem to be women and children, native Mexican women and their Spanish speaking children seeking freedom from persecution for now but all they really want is to go home. It was and is a heartbreaking situation. I figured out what was going on pretty quickly but the mystery was still twisty as to how it would all play out and what would happen.
After reading The Boston Burglar, I was hoping Loveda would have a happy ending at last but alas, it’s not meant to be. It doesn’t seem true to her character for her to fall for a charming Irish-Texan and marry. I can see the appeal to have money and prestige again but she was middle class to begin with and rebelled against her mother’s firm rules for society misses. Loveda had a job she enjoyed teaching and helping out at the hospital. She has new friends at the hospital and didn’t need a husband or to be an unpaid governess to the little cousin she didn’t know she had. Loveda is very naive. I had to put the book down halfway through because I could see coming what Loveda couldn’t/wouldn’t see. She does some really dumb stuff and some really surprisingly bad ass stuff. I think she has a lot of growing up to do still.
I like Loveda’s friends a lot. They are apparently real women! They’re amazing and doing good work helping women and children. I do not like Loveda’s husband. He’s about what I expected from a wealthy 19th century Texas rancher. His choice of associates didn’t surprise me.
I feel horrible for Costanza whom Loveda didn’t really know at all. Loveda feels guilty the girl is dead but it wasn’t Loveda’s fault. Costanza leaves behind a grieving family who likely will never know for sure what happened but probably suspect.
The story ends on a cliffhanger of sorts and now I want to read The Great Loveda Brown!
I did this backward. I have read all of the Loveda Brown books and thoroughly enjoyed them. Loveda’s life took a wrong turn in El Paso as she witnessed the tradgedies of the wars with the Mexican Revolutionaries against tbe unpopular government. Married bliss disappeared when she discovered her husband’s business and his attitude toward women. The best is on the horizon as Loveda adventures onward.
Loving Loveda Brown — Virginia H, Goodreads/Amazon ★★★★★
Can’t wait to read the rest of this exciting series as Loveda finds her way in the world. This second prequel completely surprised me after Loveda Brown: Boston Burglar.
Page-turner — DS Lang, Author Bookbub/Goodreads ★★★★★
This fast-paced prequel gives readers more insight into spunky Loveda Brown’s past. Set in old El Paso, the book seamlessly meshes history with mystery. I listened to the audio version, which was well-done by the narrator. A fun read for a summer afternoon!
Entertaining — Kevin Cannon, Monty’s Book Reviews, Bookbub ★★★★
Entertaining mystery with engaging characters and a good mix of fact with fiction. Narration on the audio book was easy to listen to.
Audible — Nicolas Pratt, Goodreads ★★★★★
A short but exciting story that surprisingly fits a lot of world building into a short amount of time. Tunnell does a great job of making the characters feel real, believable, lovable and hatable. As a prequel this book paints the characters well, explaining enough of a backstory to make sense, but not enough to spoil any future discoveries. The mix of true history and fiction brings to life some historical characters in ways that humanize them while making them even more terrifying. Highly recommend the audiobook version, the narrator does an excellent job with the varied voices, tones, and emotions.
Highly recommended — Cathy Donaldson, Goodreads ★★★★★
This was my introduction to the Lovers Brown series. The story kept me guessing not only the “who dune it” but how the marriage was going to work out. The author did an outstanding job of intertwining the political and social issues of the time period. At times I felt like I needed the previous book to help understand Loveda’s jumping in to solve a mystery with the tenacity of her actions. Even without the information it is a stand-alone book and I was able to grasp what I needed as I moved through. But it did make me intrigued to read the previous books and find out what brought her to this place of being married to this man. Highly recommend the book and I look forward to reading the rest of the series
Excellent Read — Sandra Brown, Goodreads/Amazon ★★★★★
Thoroughly enjoyable, well written book. Loved the female lead and the intermingling with historical fact. Look forward to reading more.
Great introduction to series — dndreader, Amazon ★★★★★
This was my introduction to the Lovers Brown series. The story kept me guessing not only the “who dune it” but how the marriage was going to work out. The author did an outstanding job of intertwining the political and social issues of the time period. At times I felt like I needed the previous book to help understand Loveda’s jumping in to solve a mystery with the tenacity of her actions. Even without the information it is a stand-alone book and I was able to grasp what I needed as I moved through. But it did make me intrigued to read the previous books and find out what brought her to this place of being married to this man. Highly recommend the book and I look forward to reading the rest of the series
Damn you, Billy Dunn! — Sarah B, Amazon ★★★★★
I loved this audio book! I’ve been a long-time fan of Loveda Brown and have read the whole series. It was great to get to know Loveda at the beginning of her adventures. Highly recommend!