R. W. Stone Bücher

The grandson of a U.S. senator has been brazenly kidnapped out of a hotel room in St. Louis. His life has been threatened if the senator cannot raise the ransom money, an exorbitant amount that even he can't scrape together. Ultimately, the boy's fate falls into the hands of a select group of undercover agents known for their discretion, cleverness, and bravery--the Pinkertons. When Allan Pinkerton realizes the confidential nature of the kidnapping, he calls in his best field agents, a group of five professionals with specialized skills and unconventional backgrounds. The team is headed up by ex-Marine Captain John McKenzie. He is to be joined by beautiful and alluring actress and former spy during the Civil War, Alicia Faye; a clever magician and con artist, Harry Howser; a young but brilliant scientist, Jimmy Piper; and McKenzie's Marine friend and expert hand-to-hand combat fighter, Patrick Nelson. With no clue as to whether or not the boy is still in Missouri or who the perpetrators might be, the detective team must comb the city of St. Louis in their quest for answers, including through the extensive dockyards of the shipping industry along the Mississippi River. -back cover

"Lucas Donovan, Canadian North-West Mounted Police constable, is on a mission to bring a ruthless serial killer to justice. Jack Emerson has eluded capture for years in the Canadian wilderness, but Donovan vows that nothing will stop him from seeing the man caught and punished. The oath is personal and professional--because one of them en Emerson killed was Lucas' twin brother. Donovan, believing he knows Emerson better than anyone but restricted by policies of the force, decides to take administrative leave to carry out his quest for revenge. Accompanied by Red, his enormous Malamute sled dog, Donovan sets out to cross the border into the United States. Besides the dangers of chasing a murderer, man and dog must also survive in unfamiliar territory where nature takes a toll on all. Before the men meet, Lucas Donovan must choose between personal and professional honor. Will he follow his oath as a Canadian Mounted Police Constable to enforce and obey the law? Or will he satisfy his burning desire for revenge? The decision could result in disgrace--or death. But Donovan is also led by the creed of the force: that a Mountie always gets his man."--Page 4 of cover

Lt. Ed Preston is returning to his cavalry fort after being on leave when he is mistaken for a bank robber. He is arrested, placed on trial and sent to prison to serve years of hard labor for a crime he did not commit. Forced to endure horrible conditions and brutal treatment he is left with no choice but to plan his escape and then to search the west for the man who is truly guilty of the crime in an attempt to clear his name and regain his life.