The King's Ransom
- Judith D Collins
- Nov 9, 2025
- 6 min read
Series: The Recovery Agent #2
Gabriela Rose
By: Janet Evanovich
Narrator: Lorelei King
Simon & Schuster Audio
ISBN: 978-1668027479
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date: 11/11/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 4 Stars (ARC)
“Thriller master” (Mystery and Suspense Magazine) Janet Evanovich takes readers on a global hunt to track down missing masterpieces in this action-packed and steamy sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller The Recovery Agent.
Gabriela Rose, recovery agent extraordinaire, can find just about anything. Too bad she can’t seem to lose her gorgeous-but-infuriating ex-husband Rafer Jones. And now he needs her help. His cousin, Harley, is in trouble…big trouble.
As the president of a too-big-to-fail bank, he invested an astronomical amount of money in insuring some of the world’s most priceless artifacts at the urging of his board. It seemed like a low-risk, high-reward business move, so he jumped in with both feet. But recently, these insured pieces started going missing, and worse, there’s no paper trail of Harley being directed to make these risky investments. Unless the artwork can be recovered soon, it looks like Harley is going to be heading to jail as the fall guy for an ingenious crime.
Gabriela knows what she must do: travel around the world with Rafer to find the missing works of art, keep Harley out of jail, and save both his skin and his bank. Along the way, she’ll encounter corruption, threats, murder, mysterious dark forces behind a global conspiracy to destroy the world’s wealth, and a nefarious villain who will stop at nothing to bring the world to the brink of ruin.
About the Author
Janet Evanovich
Over the last twenty-six years, Janet Evanovich has written a staggering forty-five New York Times bestsellers. In addition to her #1 bestselling Stephanie Plum novels and many other popular books, Janet is the author of The Recovery Agent, the start of a blockbuster new series.
Birthday: April 22
From: South River, NJ
First novel to make #1 on the New York Times list: Hot Six
First novel published: Hero at Large
Pets: Havanese named Ollie
Favorite food: Birthday cake
Favorite Tastykake: Butterscotch Krimpets
Black or green olives on peanut butter and olive sandwiches: Green, preferably sliced
Hobbies: None. Always writing
My Review
The queen of humor, Janet Evanovich—one of my long-time favorite authors—returns with a blockbuster new installment following the wildly entertaining The Recovery Agent (loved). In her latest venture, THE KING'S RANSOM, she continues the thrilling saga of Gabriela Rose, introducing readers to even more heart-pounding excitement.
In this gripping sequel, the skilled Gabriela and her charmingly unpredictable ex-husband partner, Rafer, embark on a perilous globe-trotting escapade, joined by Rafer's enigmatic cousin, Harley.
Together, they plunge into a world filled with stolen art and an array of treacherous pursuits that promise a rollercoaster of high-stakes action and palpable danger. With every page, readers are treated to an intoxicating blend of suspense, exhilarating madness, and Evanovich's signature wit and charisma, ensuring a reading experience that sizzles with life.
About Gabriela:
Meet Gabriela Rose, a sophisticated and intelligent recovery agent with an air of chic elegance. Unlike the bounty hunter you might find in the pages of a Stephanie Plum novel, Gabriela is a highly skilled Insurance Fraud Investigator, renowned internationally for her expertise. As an independent contractor, she enjoys the freedom to select projects worldwide, choosing opportunities that combine fair compensation with a sense of adventure.
A true globetrotter, Gabriela resides in a stylish condo in SoHo, New York, adorned with designer furnishings and clothes that reflect her exquisite taste. Not only is she a beauty, but she is also a gourmet cook who finds joy in her single status and the happiness it brings. With her impressive skill set and dynamic personality, she can tackle challenges, whether they take her to the bustling jungles of South America or beyond.
Highlights...
Rafer Jones:
Rafer Jones, Gabriela's ex-husband, presents a stark contrast to her driven nature. Laid-back and effortlessly charming, he runs a dive shop, drinks too much, is sexy, and embodies a carefree spirit. Their history as childhood sweethearts culminated in a brief two-year marriage, and now he finds himself pulling Gabriela into a complex case. Their reluctant partnership becomes even more intricate as unresolved feelings resurface, complicated further by his cousin Harley's insistence on joining their endeavor.
To rescue his cousin and safeguard his bank, Rafer reaches out to Gabriela, a recovery agent known for her expertise in locating missing items. Despite the intricacies of their past, Gabriela agrees to assist him, setting the stage for an exhilarating globe-trotting adventure.
The Case:
Harley Patch, the president of a prominent bank, faces dire consequences after a collection of high-value insured artifacts mysteriously disappears, leaving him at risk of being the scapegoat. As Rafer's cousin, Harley's predicament draws Gabriela into a high-stakes investigation.
The Hunt:
This recovery mission spans the globe, with the team pursuing stolen masterpieces, including the iconic Rosetta Stone and a lavish golden mummy coffin.
Global Conspiracy:
As Gabriela and her team delve deeper into the search for the missing art, they uncover a sinister conspiracy rife with corruption, murder, and powerful entities intent on dismantling global wealth.
Escalating Danger:
Their investigation is fraught with peril, leading to close encounters, ominous threats, and a showdown with a villain determined to achieve their nefarious goals at any cost.
Key Locations:
This thrilling search takes the team across multiple continents, including the vibrant streets of New York City, the historic charm of London, the rich history of Cairo, the sunny shores of Florida, and the artistic allure of Italy.
My thoughts...
In THE KING'S RANSOM, the second installment of Janet Evanovich's Gabriela Rose series, readers are once again introduced to the daring and skilled Gabriela as she partners with her charming yet easygoing ex-husband, Rafer Jones. Together, they embark on an exhilarating quest to recover stolen artifacts, including the Rosetta Stone and a golden mummy coffin, all while navigating a global conspiracy that threatens not only Rafer's banker cousin, Harley, but also the entire financial system.
Gabriela is depicted as a sharp and determined recovery agent, undeterred by Rafer's playful distractions or Harley's endearing but lackluster personality. Their investigation plunges them into perilous territory filled with corrupt individuals and deadly threats, all infused with Evanovich's trademark humor and the simmering romantic tension between Gabriela and Rafer. Their history as childhood sweethearts adds layers to their relationship, with Gabriela struggling to resist Rafer’s flirtatious advances as they face increasingly complex challenges.
As time runs short to collect the missing masterpieces and unveil the conspiracy, Gabriela relies on her expertise to outsmart authorities and confront villains equally determined to reclaim the artifacts.
While the narrative is brimming with action and wit, and I adore Gabriela and Rafer, the absence of the accompanying audiobook version (first time without both) narrated by Lorelei King—my preferred voice for Evanovich's works—creates a noticeable void. I eagerly await its release, as it will elevate the experience to new heights.
Excitement is palpable for what the future holds in this series, and I can hardly wait to discover what comes next.
Recs...
If you enjoy the mix of action, exotic locales, lively humor, suspense, and romantic tension in Janet Evanovich's The King's Ransom, you'll find similar qualities in other books by Evanovich herself, as well as several popular authors who blend mystery and humor. Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series and Elle Cosimano's Finlay Donovan Series
Special thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for providing a digital advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
@JudithDColins | #JDCMustReadBoooks
Pub Date: Nov 11, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
Praise
“Fun and frothy. . . . Evanovich renders with dazzling precision. Gabriella is an ideal action protagonist: resourceful, daring, shrewd, and sexy. The result is a swift and enjoyable adventure that proves this series has legs.” —Publishers Weekly
“Readers are treated to Evanovich’s laugh-out-loud humor, diabolically clever plotting, outlandish characters, unexpected twists, fiendish baddies, and even a bit of romance. Outstanding.” —Booklist (starred review)
Praise for the Recovery Agent Series
“Tense, suspenseful, funny, and wise—no one does it better than Evanovich.”
—Lee Child
“The thriller master, Janet Evanovich, has launched a new series. Prepare for twists, action, and one of the best books of the year.”
—Mystery & Suspense
“An action-packed adventure that delights much like the Indiana Jones films and the classic Romancing the Stone. It has everything, from killer snakes, military-grade assault weapons, and human sacrifice to romance and some top shelf lingerie that comes in handy for treating the wounded. A rollicking adventure and a great start to a new series.”
—Booklist (starred review)
“Moves at lightning speed and never stops…This new series feels distinct from Evanovich’s other hits, but every bit as addictive.”
—Mystery Scene Magazine
“Nobody cross-pollinates funny banter and unresolved sexual tension to better effect than Evanovich, and the mystery is all action, too.”
—Amazon Book Review
“I burned through The Recovery Agent…Just read and enjoy. I know I did.”
—Sarah Weinman, The New York Times
“A breezy, action-packed caper, told with JE’s signature humor.”
—AARP
