The Recovery Agent: A Gabriela Rose Novel

In this rollicking series launch from bestseller Evanovich (the Stephanie Plum novels), Gabriela Rose, a globe-trotting insurance fraud investigator who occasionally takes jobs recovering items for private clients, searches for the long-lost treasure of her pirate ancestor, Blackbeard, at the behest of her grandmother. The old woman wants to use any proceeds from the sale of the treasure to help rebuild the little town of Scoon, S.C., which has been devastated by a recent hurricane. First, though, Gabriela must find the pirate’s diary, which is hidden somewhere in the house that she gave her ex-husband, Rafer Jones, as part of their divorce settlement. Because the diary is found on his property, Rafer insists he should be part of her expedition. Soon the duo are racing around the Caribbean, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, New York City, and California wine country, chasing a ring said to have magical properties while pursuing a crazed cult leader who’s also pursuing them. This coincidence-filled adventure barrels along toward a good-natured, smiles-all-around ending. Evanovich’s many fans will be in heaven. Agent: Celeste Fine, Park & Fine Literary and Media. (Mar.)