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The Treasure Hunters Club
Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone meets The Goonies in The Treasure Hunters Club—a rollicking murder mystery set in a seaside town filled with pirate lore, family secrets, unforgiveable grudges, secret societies, and of course, a treasure lost to time.
WELCOME TO MAPLE BAY, NOVA SCOTIA
For nearly a century, people have ventured to the idyllic seaside town of Maple Bay in search of a legendary lost pirate treasure, but locals know there’s more than just gold buried in the sand. As the paths of three strangers converge in Maple Bay, the truth is about to be blown wide open. But not before the bodies start to pile up.
Peter Barnett is rapidly approaching 40 with little to show for it when a mysterious letter invites him to Maple Bay and the mansion his estranged family has called home for generations.
Seventeen-year-old Dandy Feltzen is isolated and adrift following the death of her beloved grandfather, until his final request and a tantalizing clue sets her on a mission to solve the mystery he spent his entire life chasing.
Cass Jones has given up on her dream of being a successful author when an unexpected opportunity lands in her a housesitting gig in remote Maple Bay, where she stumbles on the perfect subject matter for her breakout book—and the handsome sailor who might be just the person to help her research it.
Peter, Dandy and Cass have never met, but they’re on a collision course with each other and the mystery that has defined Maple Bay for two centuries, and none of them are prepared for the shocking truths that may or may not still be buried there.
WELCOME TO MAPLE BAY, NOVA SCOTIA
For nearly a century, people have ventured to the idyllic seaside town of Maple Bay in search of a legendary lost pirate treasure, but locals know there’s more than just gold buried in the sand. As the paths of three strangers converge in Maple Bay, the truth is about to be blown wide open. But not before the bodies start to pile up.
Peter Barnett is rapidly approaching 40 with little to show for it when a mysterious letter invites him to Maple Bay and the mansion his estranged family has called home for generations.
Seventeen-year-old Dandy Feltzen is isolated and adrift following the death of her beloved grandfather, until his final request and a tantalizing clue sets her on a mission to solve the mystery he spent his entire life chasing.
Cass Jones has given up on her dream of being a successful author when an unexpected opportunity lands in her a housesitting gig in remote Maple Bay, where she stumbles on the perfect subject matter for her breakout book—and the handsome sailor who might be just the person to help her research it.
Peter, Dandy and Cass have never met, but they’re on a collision course with each other and the mystery that has defined Maple Bay for two centuries, and none of them are prepared for the shocking truths that may or may not still be buried there.
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 24, 2024
About the author
Tom Ryan
10 books411 followersTom Ryan is an award winning author, screenwriter and producer. His YA mystery KEEP THIS TO YOURSELF was the winner of the 2020 ITW Thriller Award for Best YA Thriller, the 2020 Arthur Ellis Award for Best YA Crime Book, and the 2021 Ann Connor Brimer Award, and is currently being adapted for television. His followup YA mystery I HOPE YOU’RE LISTENING was the winner of the 2021 Lambda “Lammy” Award for Best LGBTQ Mystery. He was a 2017 Lambda Literary Fellow in Young Adult Fiction.
Tom, his husband and their dog live in Nova Scotia.
Tom, his husband and their dog live in Nova Scotia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
April 5, 2024
꒰ 𖦹 ⊹˚. finished.
⤿ 🐋 29 / 03 / 2024.
not even a pregnant woman could deliver the way this did. currently debating between a 4 or a 5, but thank you for themeal arc.
the treasure hunters’ club is an absolutely stunning study in family and friendship transcending time and distance. i enjoyed every moment of this.
the treasure hunters club skilfully weaves together the perspectives of three special people: forty year old Peter with no job, sharing an apartment with a bum, thirty something year old failed writer Cass, and self proclaimed teenage detective Dandy (though aptly dubbed ‘gen z Nancy Drew’ by others.) though unlikely in both circumstance and situation, these three are interconnected in something far more intricate and older than they could ever imagine, spanning all the way back to three generations ago.
the promise of a new beginning draws peter back to maple bay, fed up with his dead end life on the east coast. cass desperately needs a hard reset after her failed book publishing, and house sitting in maple bay is the perfect gig. dandy has been here her whole life, and when mystery strikes, she can’t keep herself away- especially when her instincts tell her something is up.
this was a marvellous read. it was engaging from start to finish, with easily digestible prose. though it feels a little low stakes, the title is accurate— it is a treasure hunt, just not your typical one. it’s a treasure hunt of clues and hints from decades ago, a trail of letters and notebooks and torn out pages to piece together a mystery that’s been long since buried in the beach. each character is uniquely likeable in their own way. the twists at the end- i did NOT see them coming at all, and that’s the best thing about reading a good mystery book: all that suspense and tension and you’re anticipating one thing, only to be utterly blindsided (in a good way) by something you never even entertained the thought of.
i only just received the arc today, but i finished it within four hours. a gloriously fun experience that’ll scratch the itch for a cozy family mystery. thank you so much for the arc: this is the best mystery i’ve read in ages. will definitely be looking out for tom ryan’s works in the future!
PS. i physically am unable to wax poetic about this. i am restricted to only one magnum opus review per month (see: babel) and i don’t have the cognitive ability anymore. just read this book- it’s really good. i am a reliable source! (not clickbait) (in true adira fashion, maybe logan paul)
⤿ 🐋 29 / 03 / 2024.
not even a pregnant woman could deliver the way this did. currently debating between a 4 or a 5, but thank you for the
the treasure hunters’ club is an absolutely stunning study in family and friendship transcending time and distance. i enjoyed every moment of this.
the treasure hunters club skilfully weaves together the perspectives of three special people: forty year old Peter with no job, sharing an apartment with a bum, thirty something year old failed writer Cass, and self proclaimed teenage detective Dandy (though aptly dubbed ‘gen z Nancy Drew’ by others.) though unlikely in both circumstance and situation, these three are interconnected in something far more intricate and older than they could ever imagine, spanning all the way back to three generations ago.
the promise of a new beginning draws peter back to maple bay, fed up with his dead end life on the east coast. cass desperately needs a hard reset after her failed book publishing, and house sitting in maple bay is the perfect gig. dandy has been here her whole life, and when mystery strikes, she can’t keep herself away- especially when her instincts tell her something is up.
this was a marvellous read. it was engaging from start to finish, with easily digestible prose. though it feels a little low stakes, the title is accurate— it is a treasure hunt, just not your typical one. it’s a treasure hunt of clues and hints from decades ago, a trail of letters and notebooks and torn out pages to piece together a mystery that’s been long since buried in the beach. each character is uniquely likeable in their own way. the twists at the end- i did NOT see them coming at all, and that’s the best thing about reading a good mystery book: all that suspense and tension and you’re anticipating one thing, only to be utterly blindsided (in a good way) by something you never even entertained the thought of.
i only just received the arc today, but i finished it within four hours. a gloriously fun experience that’ll scratch the itch for a cozy family mystery. thank you so much for the arc: this is the best mystery i’ve read in ages. will definitely be looking out for tom ryan’s works in the future!
PS. i physically am unable to wax poetic about this. i am restricted to only one magnum opus review per month (see: babel) and i don’t have the cognitive ability anymore. just read this book- it’s really good. i am a reliable source! (not clickbait) (in true adira fashion, maybe logan paul)
March 13, 2024
I already liked some of Tom Ryan’s YA books (Keep This to Yourself, I Hope You’re Listening), and when I found this book, I immediately put it on my TBR.
A small coastal town, a lost treasure, and three people who’ve never met.
The Treasure Hunters Club is a classic cozy mystery set in Nova Scotia, written from multiple narratives: Peter, the single gay almost forty-year-old; Dandy, the seventeen-year-old who just lost her grandad; and thirty-something YA author without a publisher, Cass. Peter’s is in first person, Dandy’s and Cass’ in third person. The story isn’t groundbreaking or angsty, and there’s no psychological stuff to break your brain about, but it’s very easy to read, fast-paced, warm and inviting, and the characters are all authentic and likable. And that plot twist? I thought I had figured it out until I didn’t. So unexpected!
Thank you, Grove Atlantic and NetGalley, for this ARC! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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A small coastal town, a lost treasure, and three people who’ve never met.
The Treasure Hunters Club is a classic cozy mystery set in Nova Scotia, written from multiple narratives: Peter, the single gay almost forty-year-old; Dandy, the seventeen-year-old who just lost her grandad; and thirty-something YA author without a publisher, Cass. Peter’s is in first person, Dandy’s and Cass’ in third person. The story isn’t groundbreaking or angsty, and there’s no psychological stuff to break your brain about, but it’s very easy to read, fast-paced, warm and inviting, and the characters are all authentic and likable. And that plot twist? I thought I had figured it out until I didn’t. So unexpected!
Thank you, Grove Atlantic and NetGalley, for this ARC! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
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March 31, 2024
The lure of pirate treasure has enticed many people to Maple Bay. Peter, Dandy, and Cass are three strangers drawn together by family ties to the mystery. The stakes are raised as people begin dying. They must solve the mystery and stay alive in the process. I had a blast with this book. I'm not sure if there are plans for this to be a series but I would happily read more books with this crew. The characters and town are all very interesting. There are some really good twists and turns in the mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2024
The Treasure Hunters Club
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑.𝟱
𖥔‧₊˚ ⊹ The Obelisk treasure is the best-known and documented treasure from the Golden Age of Piracy and was said to be last seen in the small town of Maple Bay. Imagine the surprise of local teenager Dandy when she receives a letter left by her grandfather, revealing that he was part of a secret historical society on a quest to find it. The town also welcomed two newcomers: 40-year-old Peter is seeking to reconnect with his roots and meet his grandmother, who was the current heir of the Bellwood fortune, and Cass, a YA author whose pen has run dry, looking for inspiration amidst the town's scenic beauty and enigmatic lore. These three individuals, initially strangers to each other, are intertwined as a decades-old mystery emerges from the shadows, drawing them together. ✶
The story was told from three perspectives, which at times felt overwhelming due to the frequent changes without clear indications of which character was speaking. Given that the setting is a small town, it was confusing at first since the characters interacted with the same townspeople.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ It also started off slowly but picked up after around the 30% mark, and it was definitely worth the wait. I particularly loved Dandy and wished the story was solely from her perspective. I found Peter's to be okay, but I didn’t feel that Cass’s perspective was necessary. It seemed like everything that happened to her was just coincidental, so I didn’t connect with her at all.
I’ve made my best attempt to capture the essence of the book, and I have to say, the mystery was truly captivating and new, plus that plot twist— WOW, it left me gasping . The formatting also could have been better, but I understand that I received a raw, unedited copy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and of course, Tom Ryan for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. The book will be published on October 2024 ⭑.ᐟ
༘˚⋆｡⋆𖦹.✧˚
𐙚 pre-read: another arc! looking forward to reading from authors that i'm not familiar with and explore other genres 💭
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑.𝟱
𖥔‧₊˚ ⊹ The Obelisk treasure is the best-known and documented treasure from the Golden Age of Piracy and was said to be last seen in the small town of Maple Bay. Imagine the surprise of local teenager Dandy when she receives a letter left by her grandfather, revealing that he was part of a secret historical society on a quest to find it. The town also welcomed two newcomers: 40-year-old Peter is seeking to reconnect with his roots and meet his grandmother, who was the current heir of the Bellwood fortune, and Cass, a YA author whose pen has run dry, looking for inspiration amidst the town's scenic beauty and enigmatic lore. These three individuals, initially strangers to each other, are intertwined as a decades-old mystery emerges from the shadows, drawing them together. ✶
The story was told from three perspectives, which at times felt overwhelming due to the frequent changes without clear indications of which character was speaking. Given that the setting is a small town, it was confusing at first since the characters interacted with the same townspeople.
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ It also started off slowly but picked up after around the 30% mark, and it was definitely worth the wait. I particularly loved Dandy and wished the story was solely from her perspective. I found Peter's to be okay, but I didn’t feel that Cass’s perspective was necessary. It seemed like everything that happened to her was just coincidental, so I didn’t connect with her at all.
I’ve made my best attempt to capture the essence of the book, and I have to say, the mystery was truly captivating and new, plus that plot twist— WOW, it left me gasping . The formatting also could have been better, but I understand that I received a raw, unedited copy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Grove Atlantic, and of course, Tom Ryan for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Please remember that this opinion is my own. The book will be published on October 2024 ⭑.ᐟ
༘˚⋆｡⋆𖦹.✧˚
𐙚 pre-read: another arc! looking forward to reading from authors that i'm not familiar with and explore other genres 💭
August 27, 2024
a murder mystery set in Nova Scotia, Canada with family secrets, hunting for pirate treasure, and triple POV.
"I was worried about what he knew. I couldn't take a risk of him getting to the treasure ahead of me."
it is unique to find a book with a triple POV and i was loving it! and nothing would prepare me for the plot twist - VERY twisty. chapters are mostly short which makes it fun to read.
we've got three main characters - a GEN Z Nancy Drew - Dandy, an heir to a very wealthy family (which he previously didn't even know) - Peter and a writer who is housesitting for family friends - Cass. all of them are looking for the hidden treasure from a pirate ship but each of them has a different reason why - Dandy wants to continue what her Grandpa did, Peter is trying to learn his family story and Cass wants to write a book.
without further ado, I recommend the book as an evening read in the early autumn as the setting is perfect.
Big thank you to Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
"I was worried about what he knew. I couldn't take a risk of him getting to the treasure ahead of me."
it is unique to find a book with a triple POV and i was loving it! and nothing would prepare me for the plot twist - VERY twisty. chapters are mostly short which makes it fun to read.
we've got three main characters - a GEN Z Nancy Drew - Dandy, an heir to a very wealthy family (which he previously didn't even know) - Peter and a writer who is housesitting for family friends - Cass. all of them are looking for the hidden treasure from a pirate ship but each of them has a different reason why - Dandy wants to continue what her Grandpa did, Peter is trying to learn his family story and Cass wants to write a book.
without further ado, I recommend the book as an evening read in the early autumn as the setting is perfect.
Big thank you to Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-arc. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
May 27, 2024
I had a really fun time with “The Treasure Hunters Club” by Tom Ryan. It was a nice light read that cleansed my pallet. I enjoyed reading about the characters, and uncovering small town drama.
I love how the town was depicted by Ryan. I had a lot of fun experiencing all of the different people and places that made up this small town in Nova Scotia. It had all of the characters you could hope for: a loveable grandfather, a rich and closed off grandmother, a scrappy young detective, and a busy body.
If you aren’t a fan of very modern references placed in a book these are definitely present. Mentions of 4chan, the steve buscemi “how do you do fellow kids” meme, and Emily in Paris are just a few. However, the book wasn’t so full of them that it was hard to read.
The ending section of the book was the highlight. Before this, I had felt that the book was somewhat lacking in the twists and turns that I desired. However, the twist brought the story together. It made a lot of aspects of the book make sense.
Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love how the town was depicted by Ryan. I had a lot of fun experiencing all of the different people and places that made up this small town in Nova Scotia. It had all of the characters you could hope for: a loveable grandfather, a rich and closed off grandmother, a scrappy young detective, and a busy body.
If you aren’t a fan of very modern references placed in a book these are definitely present. Mentions of 4chan, the steve buscemi “how do you do fellow kids” meme, and Emily in Paris are just a few. However, the book wasn’t so full of them that it was hard to read.
The ending section of the book was the highlight. Before this, I had felt that the book was somewhat lacking in the twists and turns that I desired. However, the twist brought the story together. It made a lot of aspects of the book make sense.
Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 21, 2024
Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for making this title available ahead of the publication date. It's always a great opportunity to read books ahead of the masses!
This particular book was not to my liking. It was very predictable and held little interest for me. It read quickly and the setting was nice, but I thought the editing was off. Too many british-isms, when the book was clearly set in North America.
This particular book was not to my liking. It was very predictable and held little interest for me. It read quickly and the setting was nice, but I thought the editing was off. Too many british-isms, when the book was clearly set in North America.
April 28, 2024
This was an absolute delight to read.
The characters are all very well-rounded, and I'm a sucker for a young girl making everything happen. My family comes from NS which hooked me initially, and the small-town vibes were pretty spot-on.
A very easy and super quick read—perfect for the vacation I bought it to. Not stressful at all nor super complex, but was definitely a page-turner and kept me interested the whole time.
I haven't read anything from Tom Ryan other than this, so looking forward into reading more!
Thank you Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for this review.
The characters are all very well-rounded, and I'm a sucker for a young girl making everything happen. My family comes from NS which hooked me initially, and the small-town vibes were pretty spot-on.
A very easy and super quick read—perfect for the vacation I bought it to. Not stressful at all nor super complex, but was definitely a page-turner and kept me interested the whole time.
I haven't read anything from Tom Ryan other than this, so looking forward into reading more!
Thank you Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for this review.
May 14, 2024
WELCOME TO MAPLE BAY, NOVA SCOTIA
I definitely picked up this book when I saw the location! I currently live in Nova Scotia so reading a treasure hunt mystery book set locally definitely intrigued me! I also feel like a treasure hunt book is the perfect summer read full of adventure and excitement!
The plot of “the treasure hunters club” follows three characters whose life events cause their paths to cross. They find themselves on the hunt for treasure and the rest you’ll have to find out for yourself!
I enjoyed the chapters swapping POV of the characters and seeing how they started out knowing where they were going to end up.
I also loved the sprinkling of history in this book and seeing the back story and family history, background on the community and relationships that spanned over decades.
“ Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone meets The Goonies in The Treasure Hunters Club—a rollicking murder mystery set in a seaside town filled with pirate lore, family secrets, unforgiveable grudges, secret societies, and of course, a treasure lost to time.”
Thank you to Grove Atlantic, Tom Ryan and NetGalley for the EARC!
Publish date: October 15th
I definitely picked up this book when I saw the location! I currently live in Nova Scotia so reading a treasure hunt mystery book set locally definitely intrigued me! I also feel like a treasure hunt book is the perfect summer read full of adventure and excitement!
The plot of “the treasure hunters club” follows three characters whose life events cause their paths to cross. They find themselves on the hunt for treasure and the rest you’ll have to find out for yourself!
I enjoyed the chapters swapping POV of the characters and seeing how they started out knowing where they were going to end up.
I also loved the sprinkling of history in this book and seeing the back story and family history, background on the community and relationships that spanned over decades.
“ Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone meets The Goonies in The Treasure Hunters Club—a rollicking murder mystery set in a seaside town filled with pirate lore, family secrets, unforgiveable grudges, secret societies, and of course, a treasure lost to time.”
Thank you to Grove Atlantic, Tom Ryan and NetGalley for the EARC!
Publish date: October 15th
September 12, 2024
First time for me and this author, and I liked my time with him.
I'd describe this as a cozy thriller? If that's a category lol.
It's not breakneck, but is a wonderful slow burn cozy.
Strangers yup
Treasure yup
Working together with people you don't know to find Alot of $$...chaos
I'd describe this as a cozy thriller? If that's a category lol.
It's not breakneck, but is a wonderful slow burn cozy.
Strangers yup
Treasure yup
Working together with people you don't know to find Alot of $$...chaos
May 20, 2024
Den här var allt jag ville ha prick just nu! Hurra hurra för gömda skatter, krångliga familjefejder och tonårsdetektiver!
September 25, 2024
This murder mystery is set in an idyllic seaside town on the south shore of Nova Scotia best known for the myth that a legendary lost pirate's treasure is buried in the area. The story is told from the alternating perspective of three strangers whose paths cross in Maple Bay - Dandy, a local teenager grieving the beloved grandfather who left a clue to the treasure's location; Peter, a man approaching 40 with not much to show for it, whose estranged grandmother invited him to stay at the Maple Bay mansion that has been home to his family for generations; and Cass, a down-on-her-luck author who accepted a house-sitting gig in Maple Bay and soon realizes that the town's history would make a great book. The three have nothing in common but find themselves caught up in a series of murders that seem to be related to the mystery of the missing treasure that has defined Maple Bay for two centuries.
The Treasure Hunters Club was such a fun, engaging read - a mystery with small town vibes and a Canadian setting! It starts off slow as the author introduces Maple Bay and the various characters but it didn't take long for the twisty plot to keep me turning the pages. Nova Scotia is one of my favourite places so I was in love with this seaside setting (I pictured Lunenburg and Mahone Bay while I was reading!). A fast and easy read with quirky characters, secret societies, pirates, lost treasure, family secrets and even a smidge of romance thrown in - perfect for cozy fall reading!
Thank you to Simon & Shuster Canada for sending an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
The Treasure Hunters Club was such a fun, engaging read - a mystery with small town vibes and a Canadian setting! It starts off slow as the author introduces Maple Bay and the various characters but it didn't take long for the twisty plot to keep me turning the pages. Nova Scotia is one of my favourite places so I was in love with this seaside setting (I pictured Lunenburg and Mahone Bay while I was reading!). A fast and easy read with quirky characters, secret societies, pirates, lost treasure, family secrets and even a smidge of romance thrown in - perfect for cozy fall reading!
Thank you to Simon & Shuster Canada for sending an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
September 4, 2024
This book was so good! From the synopsis, I was expecting more Goonies treasure hunting, but I got more mystery that felt like Knives Out, which did not disappoint me at all. It actually made me enjoy the book even more. I loved how the author setup each chapter, telling the story from a different character's POV and in journal entries. It made the story feel more well-rounded and more exciting for the reader. Each MC was very well developed and strong. I enjoyed reading from their perspectives. The treasure story and lore felt real to me. The author did an amazing job of providing specific details about how the treasure came to be.
Not only do we get a mystery story filled with murder and Nancy Drew style investigation, but also we get a treasure hunting story filled with intrigue and excitement. I had such a great time reading it! Also, I normally guess twists in books, but I was completely blindsided by the big twist toward the end of the book. I did not see it coming, and it made perfect sense, which I think just shows the high caliber writing abilities of the author.
All-in-all, I think Tom Ryan is a master at creating a fun mystery that all readers can enjoy. I highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
Not only do we get a mystery story filled with murder and Nancy Drew style investigation, but also we get a treasure hunting story filled with intrigue and excitement. I had such a great time reading it! Also, I normally guess twists in books, but I was completely blindsided by the big twist toward the end of the book. I did not see it coming, and it made perfect sense, which I think just shows the high caliber writing abilities of the author.
All-in-all, I think Tom Ryan is a master at creating a fun mystery that all readers can enjoy. I highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
April 1, 2024
For me it was just reading the synopsis and immediately knowing that I would enjoy reading it and I did.
The plot is driven by three very different characters to whom you immediately become attached, and through their particular gaze you become entangled in a plot that I did not think would be this complex.
What begins as children's adventures becomes the drama of a town.
Super well done, because you receive information from the characters little by little and you get trapped by the mystery needing to know more.
I admit that I didn't see that ending coming because I had begun to suspect someone else.
In short, very well created characters, captivating without respite and very well achieved that feeling of a small town, big hell.
A super enjoyable read that I know would have been worthless if I hadn't had so many health setbacks in recent weeks.
Very good!!!
Super grateful to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC. It was a great first experience and a very good way to get to know an author who was not yet on my radar, I will surely read much more from him.
The plot is driven by three very different characters to whom you immediately become attached, and through their particular gaze you become entangled in a plot that I did not think would be this complex.
What begins as children's adventures becomes the drama of a town.
Super well done, because you receive information from the characters little by little and you get trapped by the mystery needing to know more.
I admit that I didn't see that ending coming because I had begun to suspect someone else.
In short, very well created characters, captivating without respite and very well achieved that feeling of a small town, big hell.
A super enjoyable read that I know would have been worthless if I hadn't had so many health setbacks in recent weeks.
Very good!!!
Super grateful to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for the ARC. It was a great first experience and a very good way to get to know an author who was not yet on my radar, I will surely read much more from him.
September 25, 2024
If you like a mystery, and I mean a MYSTERY, then this is the book for you! It has it all! A treasure hunt that spans years, murders, secrets, intrigue and so many twists and turns you never see what’s coming! Many thanks to the publisher for this early copy for read and review!
August 21, 2024
The Treasure Hunters Club is chock full of quirky characters, a fun town, and dark secrets - between friends, between family. Set in fictional Maple Bay, Nova Scotia, our cast is searching for the fabled treasure from the sinking of the Obelisk. You won't be sure who you can trust as you work your way through the maze of the mystery, but it all becomes clear in a final twist that I never saw coming! This is a fun and enjoyable page turner - if you like small town secrets, colourful characters, and surprise endings, grab this one when it comes out this fall!
April 20, 2024
This review is for an ARC which isn't the final version, so some things might change. Hopefully, some things might improve, because this book really deserves some further attention. I almost gave it 4 stars, but I didn't like how one of the twists at the end was done, which was frustrating because it's a really nice idea that could have been explored much better. Apart from that, I liked it. It's a light summer read, preferably while you're on the beach, and it's entertaining. The writing is light and easy, in an informal tone (which I'm not usually a fan of, but that's a personal preference) but the story is intricate enough to keep you wanting to know what comes next. I'd also like to point out that maybe to fans of lighter, more informal reads and YA books this might be actually a good pick!
April 7, 2024
This book kept me riveted to the page. It was a roller coaster ride. Just when I knew who was the culprit, BAM you're wrong 😮. It was a very well written book. I thought it was a 4.5 out of 5, but Goodreads doesn't do half, so a rounded up.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc.
September 16, 2024
The Treasure Hunters Club follows 3 characters as they intersect in Maple Bay to discover the truth about the Obelisk treasure. Honestly, The Treasure Hunters Club reads like a love letter to the Oak Island treasure. It’s a story full of twists and turns, history, and all the vibes of a small town on the east coast.
The novel opens with Dandy who just lost her grand-father, but he left her a clue to solve the Obelisk treasure mystery, but she first has to convince the secret society to let her join. Peter feels suffocated by his life when he receives a letter from his long lost grand-mother inviting him to Maple Bay to reconnect and reclaim his family history. Cass is a down on her luck writer offered the opportunity to be a house sitter in Maple Bay while working on her next novel.
What I enjoyed most about The Treasure Hunters Club was the mystery. Ryan created an intriguing and complex mystery full of twists and turns. Readers, alongside the characters, embark on a journey to untangle the web of lies that has permeated through the generations. The beginning and ending of the novel are when the novel is at its strongest. The middle was a slow and felt like Ryan got a little lost.
The ending of The Treasure Hunters Club with its reveal was incredible. I did not see the ending coming. It truly felt like I had the rug pulled out from under me.
Overall, The Treasure Hunters Club is the perfect read if you’re looking for an engaging mystery full of history and all the vibes of a small town on the east coast. If you’re a fan of the Oak Island mystery, The Treasure Hunters Club will intrigue you and give you a conclusion that Oak Island will probably never have.
*** I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The novel opens with Dandy who just lost her grand-father, but he left her a clue to solve the Obelisk treasure mystery, but she first has to convince the secret society to let her join. Peter feels suffocated by his life when he receives a letter from his long lost grand-mother inviting him to Maple Bay to reconnect and reclaim his family history. Cass is a down on her luck writer offered the opportunity to be a house sitter in Maple Bay while working on her next novel.
What I enjoyed most about The Treasure Hunters Club was the mystery. Ryan created an intriguing and complex mystery full of twists and turns. Readers, alongside the characters, embark on a journey to untangle the web of lies that has permeated through the generations. The beginning and ending of the novel are when the novel is at its strongest. The middle was a slow and felt like Ryan got a little lost.
The ending of The Treasure Hunters Club with its reveal was incredible. I did not see the ending coming. It truly felt like I had the rug pulled out from under me.
Overall, The Treasure Hunters Club is the perfect read if you’re looking for an engaging mystery full of history and all the vibes of a small town on the east coast. If you’re a fan of the Oak Island mystery, The Treasure Hunters Club will intrigue you and give you a conclusion that Oak Island will probably never have.
*** I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2024
Book Review
The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan
Thoughts and Tropes
🇨🇦Small town Nova Scotia
🏴☠️Pirates and Treasure ( sounds a bit like Oak Island meets Goonies)
👀Mysterious circumstances leading to Dead people
YA/New adult
Meddling seniors (love it when seniors get up to no good)
Inheritance
Family drama and history cloaked in local legend
Multiple POV
Cozy mystery
MCs
Dandy- at times her character felt young and others she felt more adult, very
Precocious
Peter- he seemed pretty straightforward, mid life crisis, stuck in life until he learns of his grandmother
Bree- bookstore owner, fast friend, speaks her mind
Mirabel- grandmother with secrets and stories
Cass -author, mid life, also stuck, takes on a house sutting arrangement as a way forward
Side characters (The OG 5)
Archie, Henry, Red, etc
Loved reading about the past, how things started, where are they now…. Great opportunity for the author to drop clues and crumbs along the way
For me these chapters usually led to more questions than answers
Overall
The twists and turns blindsided me at the ending but overall, this book was an enjoyable read with bright characters that light up the pages.
IMO, This book has potential as a series…. I would happily go visit Maple Grove again.
Thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschusterca for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.
The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan
Thoughts and Tropes
🇨🇦Small town Nova Scotia
🏴☠️Pirates and Treasure ( sounds a bit like Oak Island meets Goonies)
👀Mysterious circumstances leading to Dead people
YA/New adult
Meddling seniors (love it when seniors get up to no good)
Inheritance
Family drama and history cloaked in local legend
Multiple POV
Cozy mystery
MCs
Dandy- at times her character felt young and others she felt more adult, very
Precocious
Peter- he seemed pretty straightforward, mid life crisis, stuck in life until he learns of his grandmother
Bree- bookstore owner, fast friend, speaks her mind
Mirabel- grandmother with secrets and stories
Cass -author, mid life, also stuck, takes on a house sutting arrangement as a way forward
Side characters (The OG 5)
Archie, Henry, Red, etc
Loved reading about the past, how things started, where are they now…. Great opportunity for the author to drop clues and crumbs along the way
For me these chapters usually led to more questions than answers
Overall
The twists and turns blindsided me at the ending but overall, this book was an enjoyable read with bright characters that light up the pages.
IMO, This book has potential as a series…. I would happily go visit Maple Grove again.
Thank you to @netgalley and @simonandschusterca for my digital ARC in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.
September 16, 2024
A big thank you to Grove Atlantic and Netgalley for giving me early access to this book to review.
I want to start out by saying that I am probably biased in my love for this novel. I can't help but love something that is set in my home province and filled with characters who I feel like I've met before.
The Treasure Hunters Club follows three different POV; Dandy, a teen who recently lost her grandfather and has gotten a invitation from him to join a local historical group; Peter, the long lost grandson of one of Maple Bay's wealthier residents; and Cass, a stranger who is staying in town for a year to dog sit. All three of these characters get drawn into the hunt for the long lost pirate treasure. Through their search the uncover the deep secrets of the town and its residents.
I loved this book on so many levels. The writing was phenomenal and engaging. The characters were all so lively and unique from each other. They all seemed to have their own motivations. I really loved the twists and turns in the novel. There was one point where I said outload "well, I didn't see that coming". I know that feelings not for everyone, but the reveal was done so well.
I would highly recommend this book. It the perfect summer/early fall read. Just mysterious enough.
I want to start out by saying that I am probably biased in my love for this novel. I can't help but love something that is set in my home province and filled with characters who I feel like I've met before.
The Treasure Hunters Club follows three different POV; Dandy, a teen who recently lost her grandfather and has gotten a invitation from him to join a local historical group; Peter, the long lost grandson of one of Maple Bay's wealthier residents; and Cass, a stranger who is staying in town for a year to dog sit. All three of these characters get drawn into the hunt for the long lost pirate treasure. Through their search the uncover the deep secrets of the town and its residents.
I loved this book on so many levels. The writing was phenomenal and engaging. The characters were all so lively and unique from each other. They all seemed to have their own motivations. I really loved the twists and turns in the novel. There was one point where I said outload "well, I didn't see that coming". I know that feelings not for everyone, but the reveal was done so well.
I would highly recommend this book. It the perfect summer/early fall read. Just mysterious enough.
August 23, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
💰 friendship drama
💰 triple POV
💰 lots of characters
💰 hidden treasure mystery
💰 a little romance with your murder 🤪��
As a Canadian girlie, I love a novel set in Canada! We really do have the most beautiful scenery here, and I love when that is represented in a book 🩷 The author did a really great job describing the scenery and the setting; I was able to perfectly picture the scene that he was setting up.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, it felt very natural and enjoyable to read.
I really really enjoyed this story because it reminded me of the stories I used to love to read as a child, but it was obviously an adult book. The nostalgia is real 🩷🩷
I love more than one point-of-view books so much because it’s like we are getting multiple stories in the same book 🤪 This was a triple POV which was pretty cool.. I am used to single or double POV, so it was fun to see THREE sides of the story!
I was hooked right from the very first page! I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I started this, but what a wild ride it was!!! Murders and treasure and soooo many untrustworthy characters… even a little romance thrown in the mix 🤪 This was truly a very enjoyable read that should honestly be turned into a movie!
Read if you like:
💰 friendship drama
💰 triple POV
💰 lots of characters
💰 hidden treasure mystery
💰 a little romance with your murder 🤪��
As a Canadian girlie, I love a novel set in Canada! We really do have the most beautiful scenery here, and I love when that is represented in a book 🩷 The author did a really great job describing the scenery and the setting; I was able to perfectly picture the scene that he was setting up.
I really enjoyed the author’s writing style, it felt very natural and enjoyable to read.
I really really enjoyed this story because it reminded me of the stories I used to love to read as a child, but it was obviously an adult book. The nostalgia is real 🩷🩷
I love more than one point-of-view books so much because it’s like we are getting multiple stories in the same book 🤪 This was a triple POV which was pretty cool.. I am used to single or double POV, so it was fun to see THREE sides of the story!
I was hooked right from the very first page! I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I started this, but what a wild ride it was!!! Murders and treasure and soooo many untrustworthy characters… even a little romance thrown in the mix 🤪 This was truly a very enjoyable read that should honestly be turned into a movie!
September 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Treasure Hunters Club.
Billed as a combination of The Goonies and Oak Island, this is about three very different people with ties to a hidden treasure, pulled together to discover the truth and dark secrets of the seaside town of Maple Bay.
I love The Goonies so I was stoked to read this, but the narrative was cozier than I expected, the writing YA-ish to me.
The premise was good but the story was bogged down with three different POVs, Peter, Cass and Dandy.
I didn't like any of the characters, except Dandy and Grandy, and the latter is deceased.
Peter is a dullard, as exciting as a sack of flour, and the author decides to give Cass a romantic storyline.
There doesn't need to be romance in every book!
Dandy is described as weird and strange. Why? Because she's inquisitive and asking questions and interviewing people?
This is the fault of the author, stereotyping a young woman who is strong and independent and doesn't care what others think of her, searching for answers to a mystery that has confounded their town for decades.
The story employs the all-too common literary device by providing exposition in the form of telling the readers what happened in the past with diary entries.
As a result, there's a lack of urgency and suspense, even in the present day as Dandy tries to discover where the treasure is hidden.
I'm not a fan of the twist at the end, though I kind of saw it coming.
If this had been better written, I might have appreciated the twist more.
Okay, maybe not, since Peter was SOOOO boring.
Also, the writing was repetitive and lazy; for example, Peter says 'far-fetched' a half dozen times.
Billed as a combination of The Goonies and Oak Island, this is about three very different people with ties to a hidden treasure, pulled together to discover the truth and dark secrets of the seaside town of Maple Bay.
I love The Goonies so I was stoked to read this, but the narrative was cozier than I expected, the writing YA-ish to me.
The premise was good but the story was bogged down with three different POVs, Peter, Cass and Dandy.
I didn't like any of the characters, except Dandy and Grandy, and the latter is deceased.
Peter is a dullard, as exciting as a sack of flour, and the author decides to give Cass a romantic storyline.
There doesn't need to be romance in every book!
Dandy is described as weird and strange. Why? Because she's inquisitive and asking questions and interviewing people?
This is the fault of the author, stereotyping a young woman who is strong and independent and doesn't care what others think of her, searching for answers to a mystery that has confounded their town for decades.
The story employs the all-too common literary device by providing exposition in the form of telling the readers what happened in the past with diary entries.
As a result, there's a lack of urgency and suspense, even in the present day as Dandy tries to discover where the treasure is hidden.
I'm not a fan of the twist at the end, though I kind of saw it coming.
If this had been better written, I might have appreciated the twist more.
Okay, maybe not, since Peter was SOOOO boring.
Also, the writing was repetitive and lazy; for example, Peter says 'far-fetched' a half dozen times.
July 11, 2024
First, I'd like to thank Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the early access to this book.
You know when you are expecting a bombastic story that is all over the place and then you are presented with a slow building one? It kills the vibe, but not this one!!!
Page after page it keeps on building, it keeps you on your toes trying to guess what happened to this treasure and what the heck is happening in this town!?!
It starts slow as a train leaving a platform, but it gets to a moment that you don't make pauses, you read everything to the end because now you're the one speeding, you're the one who needs to know how it ends!
And man, oh man, I loved it! Such a twist, I didn't see it coming at all!
And it ends up being such a sweet story, some of the character's arcs are just great!
It didn't feel like this could lead to a series, but I do hope the author writes more stories like this one!
You know when you are expecting a bombastic story that is all over the place and then you are presented with a slow building one? It kills the vibe, but not this one!!!
Page after page it keeps on building, it keeps you on your toes trying to guess what happened to this treasure and what the heck is happening in this town!?!
It starts slow as a train leaving a platform, but it gets to a moment that you don't make pauses, you read everything to the end because now you're the one speeding, you're the one who needs to know how it ends!
And man, oh man, I loved it! Such a twist, I didn't see it coming at all!
And it ends up being such a sweet story, some of the character's arcs are just great!
It didn't feel like this could lead to a series, but I do hope the author writes more stories like this one!
September 23, 2024
Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
When Peter receives a letter from his long lost grandmother, he's thrust into a world of treasure hunters, secret societies, and complex family history. In Maple Bay, there is the myth of the pirates who've left behind a treasure that for years, people have been flocking to this sea side town to find. Our three protagonists, Peter, Dandy, and Cass end up in an intertwined tale of betrayal, treasure, and family secrets.
This novel started out for me, slow, but quickly found its stride and even had some twists that I wasn't expecting. Dandy reads as much older than her age of 14, a quirky teenager who fits right in with the adults who look down on her. Cass feels the most relatable, curious about the treasure but not holding out hope.
This novel is definitely good for those people looking for a mystery read that has many twists and turns.
When Peter receives a letter from his long lost grandmother, he's thrust into a world of treasure hunters, secret societies, and complex family history. In Maple Bay, there is the myth of the pirates who've left behind a treasure that for years, people have been flocking to this sea side town to find. Our three protagonists, Peter, Dandy, and Cass end up in an intertwined tale of betrayal, treasure, and family secrets.
This novel started out for me, slow, but quickly found its stride and even had some twists that I wasn't expecting. Dandy reads as much older than her age of 14, a quirky teenager who fits right in with the adults who look down on her. Cass feels the most relatable, curious about the treasure but not holding out hope.
This novel is definitely good for those people looking for a mystery read that has many twists and turns.
May 12, 2024
I had high expectations for this one. The blurb had me expecting Goonies vibes, but that is definitely not the case here. There aren't many feel-good moments in this story; it is more of a slow thriller. This book suffers from too many characters with a structured presentation including a confusing mix of third person limited and first person POVs. One of them is a writer who even acknowledges how difficult it all is to keep straight and promises to include a chart of who's who in her upcoming book. I really could have used a chart like this for real.
My favorite characters were Grandy and Dandy. I really loved any time they were on the page. I honestly never understood why everyone kept saying Dandy was weird though, and I think that is the result of a flaw in characterization. I wish there had been more of a focus on the treasure hunting and less on the mystery of the past and the whole thing about the recent murders. I realize that is the bulk of the plot, but I wanted this to be more of a fun read than it was. Introducing characters just to immediately kill them the next time you see them, and the random little bit about the supernatural felt out of place.
I wanted to enjoy this more, but I just didn't. Rounding up from 2.5⭐
Thanks still to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this advanced copy to review!
My favorite characters were Grandy and Dandy. I really loved any time they were on the page. I honestly never understood why everyone kept saying Dandy was weird though, and I think that is the result of a flaw in characterization. I wish there had been more of a focus on the treasure hunting and less on the mystery of the past and the whole thing about the recent murders. I realize that is the bulk of the plot, but I wanted this to be more of a fun read than it was. Introducing characters just to immediately kill them the next time you see them, and the random little bit about the supernatural felt out of place.
I wanted to enjoy this more, but I just didn't. Rounding up from 2.5⭐
Thanks still to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this advanced copy to review!
March 22, 2024
This was a wonderful mystery thriller that you can easily sink your teeth into.
Imagine finding out that your Grandmother (who you had no idea even existed) reached out to you and asked you to come to her mansion on the east coast of Nova Socia. That was what happened to Peter, an orphaned man who jumped at the chance to have some family in his life. The mansion in question is set in Maple Bay, where there is the mystery of a buried and missing Pirate treasure. Cass is a good but failed author, who has come to Maple Bay to house sit and wait for inspiration to strike her once again for a new story. Dandy is a teen with a nose for a mystery and a deep sorrow in her heart after the death of her grandfather, though she has been set on a course that will tie the three of them together as more bodies start to drop in the idyllic seaside town.
Someone is after money, though which kind is it?
This was a great read, easy to go with, and fun to boot. A great pick-up for a fan of this genre of books.
Imagine finding out that your Grandmother (who you had no idea even existed) reached out to you and asked you to come to her mansion on the east coast of Nova Socia. That was what happened to Peter, an orphaned man who jumped at the chance to have some family in his life. The mansion in question is set in Maple Bay, where there is the mystery of a buried and missing Pirate treasure. Cass is a good but failed author, who has come to Maple Bay to house sit and wait for inspiration to strike her once again for a new story. Dandy is a teen with a nose for a mystery and a deep sorrow in her heart after the death of her grandfather, though she has been set on a course that will tie the three of them together as more bodies start to drop in the idyllic seaside town.
Someone is after money, though which kind is it?
This was a great read, easy to go with, and fun to boot. A great pick-up for a fan of this genre of books.
September 15, 2024
This was a fantastic read and wow, what a twist at the end. I didn't see that coming whatsoever! I truly enjoyed reading a book that takes place in Nova Scotia, and I could picture the town, the houses, and the mansion. The treasure hunt backstory reminds me of the Oak Island hunt but with a historic twist running down through friendships and family lines. I recommend picking this one up if you are in the mood for a good adventure with a little 'thriller' thrown in at the end.
Look forward to reading more in the future.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the early read.
Look forward to reading more in the future.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the early read.
April 10, 2024
This book is going to be one of the top Thriller Mystery I ever read in 2024 and I cannot stress more for everyone to pick a copy and read it ASAP!
Treasure hunts and stories of hunts over the years and much more!
Weaved like the expert storyteller he is, Mr Ryan has outdone himself in this book as it is full of action and suspense, timelines crossing from the past to present, well-defined characters and then he plays treasure hunt with his audience without the reader even realising it until far too deep into the book!
I felt my jaw drop to the floor when I reached the ultimate twist and remember applauding loudly making people around me turn to look at what has gotten into me.
So buckle up guys, you have a teen detective, a rich old lady reuniting with her grandson, and an author looking for a break in the most picturesque, yet historical little seaside Canadian town where stories of Buried treasure fills the place.
My sincere gratitude to the publisher for offering me an early copy. All opinions mine. Highly recommended.
Treasure hunts and stories of hunts over the years and much more!
Weaved like the expert storyteller he is, Mr Ryan has outdone himself in this book as it is full of action and suspense, timelines crossing from the past to present, well-defined characters and then he plays treasure hunt with his audience without the reader even realising it until far too deep into the book!
I felt my jaw drop to the floor when I reached the ultimate twist and remember applauding loudly making people around me turn to look at what has gotten into me.
So buckle up guys, you have a teen detective, a rich old lady reuniting with her grandson, and an author looking for a break in the most picturesque, yet historical little seaside Canadian town where stories of Buried treasure fills the place.
My sincere gratitude to the publisher for offering me an early copy. All opinions mine. Highly recommended.
August 10, 2024
I was fortunate to get my hands on an arc copy of this book, which was treasure enough for me! I loved the premise, the execution and that ending! As a bookseller I will be hand selling this baby as soon as it is released!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC.
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