A leisurely but entertaining finale to a rewarding treasure-hunting series.
In this conclusion to an adventure trilogy, two intrepid friends comb western Asia for the legendary holy robe of Jesus.
In years past, writer Granger Lawton has sought fortunes with his treasure hunter best friend, Bobby McAllister. While the rewards have been sizable, Lawton has never liked the near-death experiences that seem to accompany their escapades. But McAllister assures Lawton that his latest quest will be risk-free. McAllister wants to find the robe of Jesus. The treasure hunter feels this is his destiny; he was born on Christmas Day. Lawton, McAllister and his wife, and assorted bodyguards and archaeologists sail to places like Jerusalem and Istanbul for leads on the robe’s location. Sadly, the danger Lawton hoped to avoid finds the group, as one team member winds up with a bullet in the head. Meanwhile, retired American cop Frank Kipper has eyes on the expedition. He may be more invested in vengeance, as he blames McAllister for his niece’s death years ago and an injury that “resulted in his early retirement from law enforcement.” The already arduous task of tracking down a religious artifact becomes increasingly precarious, especially with a mole planted by Kipper on McAllister’s team. While this novel showcases less action than earlier installments, Ferguson makes up for it in suspense. For example, Lawton suspects a team member’s suicide is actually a second murder and that someone is furtively stunting his attempts to investigate it. Armed religious zealots also prove a menace as the group seemingly gets close to discovering the robe. The author livens up the tale with Lawton and McAllister’s constant but often affectionate bickering, which returning readers will surely expect. Although this story is the series’ most deliberately paced, it lingers on stunning scenery, including in Istanbul: “From the Dolmabahce Palace to the green parks and imperial pavilions of Yildiz Palace…ornate and marble facades” were reflected “in the swiftly moving water.” Furthermore, Ferguson delivers a satisfying ending to both this installment and the trilogy.
A leisurely but entertaining finale to a rewarding treasure-hunting series.Pub Date: June 11, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5255-4820-8
Page Count: 486
Publisher: FriesenPress
Review Posted Online: Oct. 20, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
PERSPECTIVES
Standard cozy fare in an artisanal wrapper.
A reality show turns deadly for an apprentice bread maker.
Ivy Culpepper so worships Olaya Solis, the creative spirit behind Yeast of Eden, that she works in Olaya’s shop, evidently without pay, just to learn the art of long-rise baking that creates artisanal loaves beloved by the citizens of Santa Sofia, on Southern California’s sunny shore. When Santa Sofia alum Sandra Mays wants to shoot the pilot of America’s Best Bakeries at Yeast of Eden, Ivy naturally urges her mentor to agree. What better way to bring attention to Olaya’s Bread for Life program, a baking course for immigrant women? Of course, Ivy doesn’t count on the series of challenges that threaten the production, from the bad blood evident between imperious Sandra and showrunner Mack Hebron to the hit-and-run that sends cameraman Ben Nader to the hospital, all culminating in the demise of Sandra, who’s pushed over and hits her head. But rather than throwing cold water on the whole reality show enterprise, Sandra’s murder only sharpens Ivy’s appetite. Like a patron tearing into one of Olaya’s olive-and-rosemary loaves, she shows nothing but enthusiasm for the hunt for Sandra’s killer—even going so far as to volunteer her skills at Crosby House, a women’s shelter where Nader also worked, in an attempt to ferret out who had a motive to harm Ben, Sandra, the production, or all three.
Standard cozy fare in an artisanal wrapper.Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4967-2441-0
Page Count: 352
Publisher: Kensington
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A fun read whose adventure and romance outshine the mystery.
A Florida bartender’s sense of obligation and adventurous spirit lead her into danger.
Chloe Jackson, part owner of the Sea Glass Saloon in Emerald Cove, knows she’s in trouble when her partner, Vivi Slidell, and head bartender Joaquín Diaz greet her with a done deal she’s certain to dislike: They’ve signed her up to represent the Sea Glass in the Florida Panhandle Barback Games, an obstacle-course race involving drinks. It’ll be a piece of cake, they claim, even though her competition includes ringers like Olympic athlete Jean Claude LaPierre and Hollywood stuntwoman Lisa Kelley. All this information comes from Ann Williams, a friend and local fixer who’s about to get Chloe in big trouble. Ann’s right-hand man, Dex, helpfully takes Chloe on a tour of local bars to see the competition, which also includes champion surfer Enrique Laurier, a chick magnet who may have roofied Chloe’s drink while she was talking to him. Meanwhile, Ann confides in Chloe that she’s found a treasure map and needs someone to accompany her while she does some exploratory diving. Unfortunately, the only treasure Ann finds is Enrique’s dead body, making them suspects in his murder. Vivi gets Chloe a lawyer who tells her to keep quiet despite the good relationship she’s always enjoyed with the police. When Ann announces her intent to continue her treasure hunt, Chloe agrees to help despite her misgivings and the need to hide things from her boyfriend, Rip Barnett. The partnership will put them both in danger from people willing to kill to seize the treasure.
A fun read whose adventure and romance outshine the mystery.Pub Date: Dec. 27, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4967-3438-9
Page Count: 336
Publisher: Kensington
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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