
Published by MIRA on June 28th 2016
Genres: Historical, Mystery
Pages: 464
Goodreads

FINAL DECISION: My favorite of the series so far. I loved the hero Caleb and I thought the story was active and interesting and I loved that Caleb and Kate spent so much time together falling in love.
THE STORY: Caleb Frobisher, the youngest brother, has taken on the next part of the mission — without permission. His brothers have worked to discover the secret of the missing English people in the West African town of Freetown. People are being abducted by slavers to work in a mine. Caleb is to find the location of the mine and send the information back so that a rescue can be mounted. Katherine “Kate” Fortescue is a governess who has been taken by the slavers to care for the captive children. She meets Caleb and under extreme circumstances, the two find a way to bring hope to the captives and fall in love.
OPINION: This is the third book in the series and I really think the action has picked up from the second book. Caleb is a daredevil who might seem reckless but is actually an amazingly optimistic and flexible thinker. He is willing to change plans, to make adjustments, to work towards a goal without being deterred by setbacks. I really loved his character which I found compelling. He seems like a guy I would like in real life. He doesn’t have an ego that demands he be recognized as the leader. He is willing to share responsibility, work with other people and take suggestions. All of these qualities are ones that Kate admires in Caleb. The most important thing he brings to the captives, including Kate, is hope.
Kate is a leader herself. Independent. Strong. A woman who has made the best of a horrible situation. She is willing to take the hope that Caleb’s presence provides and work for her rescue and future. She is a good match for Caleb.
One of the best parts of this book is how Caleb and Kate manage to have a relationship in midst of bad circumstances. Somehow, they have a sweet courtship and get to know one another. There is something beautiful about love in the midst of horrible circumstances. It gives hope and also shows that things like friendship, love, community can prevail even in the most dire of circumstances.
This book has a countdown clock on it and thus the pacing was well done. Things matter in this book — every moment is important. The captives need to live through this by working together towards making it to their rescue.
This book has set up the series for a great conclusion.
WORTH MENTIONING: Oh, oh! I can’t wait to find out who the troublesome woman is in the fourth book.
CONNECTED BOOKS: THE DAREDEVIL SNARED is the third book in the Adventurers Quartet. While the romance is self-contained in this book, there is an overarching story which is told through all four books. The books are meant to be read in order.
STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.