Pirates, murder, mystery and plenty of small-town secrets

The Treasure Hunters Club: A Mystery

Tom Ryan

384 pages, expected publication October 24, 2024

For hundreds of years people have been coming to Maple Bay, Novia Scotia to search for the long-lost obelisk pirate treasure. The arrival of two newcomers sets off a train of events that take things to a new deadly level in discovering what happened to the treasure.  

There is a lot to unpack in this novel as Ryan has an extensive cast of characters who are all important to the overall story and you switch between four distinct points of view.  

You have the present day of Peter, Cassie and Dandy and each have a point of view. There is the middle time which is the treasure hunter club with Mirabel, Bill etc. and they important to development of the story.  The last point of view is told through journal entries of Henry Bellwood who tells of the five boys who started the whole saga.  Now, the thing is, stick with it, as all the buildup as all these characters are required to for a conclusion that makes sense.  

We start with Dandy, a local to Maple Bay who has been brought into the treasure hunting fray by Grandy, her grandfather. He has spent years telling her all the ins and outs and leaving her with clues to get into a whole heap of trouble. At some point in the story Dandy goes from treasure hunter to girl detective as she tries to solve a series of crimes.  

Peter is eking out an existence when he receives a letter from his estranged Grandmother Mirabel seeking a reconciliation, encouraged by his flat mate Ricky, he accepts.  As Peter ingrains himself into the local community Peter discovers that his family heritage is full of secrets that he needs to unravel.  

Cassie is a writer who has had some initial success as a writer but finds her writing life in disarray. She is out of ideas and doubting that she really is that talented. When an opportunity comes along to house sit for a year in Maple Bay, Cassie cannot resist. Soon she discovers the legend of the Obelisk treasure and finds her writing mojo.  

Harry Bellwood leaves behind a journal that explains how the treasure comes to be found and lost again. Through Henry's words he links the past and present and provides context around the ongoing dynamics of the families in Maple Bay.  

Ryan, once he gets the story running, really gives you a fast-paced thriller, with plenty of twists and turns. The possibility of who is behind a series of crimes will have you guessing. There is danger for the characters and plenty of misdirection. However, the real culprit, well there is enough in the story for you to question their behaviour and motivation. 

When this book hits the shelves, you will enjoy a mystery that will have you guessing.  

For more on Tom Ryan check out their website.