Review – Reluctant Smuggler

In Reluctant Smuggler, the third in Jill Elizabeth Nelson’s Romantic Suspense, To Catch A Thief Series, we once again find Desiree Jacobs of HJ Securities where she loves to be, up to her eyeballs in stealing a precious and valuable piece of art. This time we find her in Mexico City where she succeeds in stealing her target, the crown of Pakal, only to discover the piece she risked her life for is a forgery.

Though she is frustrated with this find and is almost one upped by her competitors, Greybeck and Sons’, Desi is tempted to chuck it all and return home to begin planning her wedding to FBI agent, Tony Lucano instead of uncovering the whereabouts of the missing crown of Pakal and protecting her reputation. But as we’ve learned in the past about Desi, she’s the kind of woman who will dig in and fight and she does just that.

Hired by Mexican Presidente Montoya to investigate the whereabouts of not only the missing crown, but other stolen art treasures as well, Desi is thrust into a the Mexican underworld, where she becomes a target of merciless killers. Enter, fianc? and FBI agent Tony Lucano who defies FBI policy and rushes to Mexico to rescue Desi. Oh, and did I mention, that Tony faces a challenge of his own in this book, a challenge that forces him to confront who he really is.

Once again, Nelson brings us an excellent fast-paced plot, with unexpected turns and thrills as we follow Desi in her stay in Mexico and into the black market and her time at home with Tony. The action keeps the story moving along and the information Nelson gives us about art antiquities is authentic and interesting. You can tell from the story that Nelson does her research, not only into the art field itself, but also into the process of securing these valuable treasures. All in all, she provides a very believable story and expertly weaves a spiritual thread of trusting God’s plans no matter what is thrown into the mix.

Best of all, in Reluctant Smuggler, those of us who have read all three books in the series finally find out if Desi and Tony, the jet-setting pair, find a way to follow their very busy career interests and yet spend time together. Though the task is big and almost overwhelming, does Nelson give the reader a satisfying conclusion to not only this book, but the series as well? I won’t be the spoiler who tells you if Desi survives her toughest challenge yet and lives happily ever after with Tony. You’ll have to make the discovery yourself.