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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
First published October 24, 2024
About the author
Tom Ryan
10 books447 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 539 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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Shelved as 'lost-interest'
December 9, 2024I've really neglected this book... I will come back for you! (hopefully)
November 8, 2024
The Treasure Hunters Club is the ninth novel by award-winning Canadian author, Tom Ryan. Still grieving the recent loss of her Grandy, Reg, Dandy Feltzen turns up to the meeting of the Maple Bay Historical Society following his last wish: that she take his place there, and finally solve the mystery. She has a nautical chart to sweeten the deal: turns out the Society is all about finding the legendary Obelisk Treasure buried by notoriously blood-thirsty eighteenth-Century pirate Captain Barnabas Dagger.
The Society’s ageing membership, the five offspring of the original Treasure Hunters Club, has been radically reduced with the death of Reg, whose enthusiasm was their real impetus, and the walk out of Bill Jinx and Dr Frank Oakley. Rose French is fast losing the energy to participate, and only the scion of the Bellwood family, Mirabel Bellwood Johnson still has the passion needed, freshly stimulated by the discovery of her late father, Henry’s diary.
Mirabel has finally managed to connect with her grandson and only heir after her estranged daughter eschewed all contact since his birth, forty years earlier. Now, Peter Bellwood Barnett has come to Maple Bay after a lacklustre career in Vancouver. Unfortunately, before she has a chance to tell him why his presence in Maple Bay was so essential, he finds Mirabel at the bottom of the Bellwoods ornately carved staircase.
Just as Cass is despairing the state of her life, the failure of her writing career, and the need to quit New York, an opportunity lands in her lap: a year of house-sitting (and dog-minding) in the little town of Maple Bay, Nova Scotia. Might this be the place where her second novel is born?
Two of the locals she meets, Mirabel Bellwood and Bill Jinx are spectacularly unfriendly, but the bookstore owner, the bakery owner and the librarian make up for them. And although she’s not in the market for romance since her break-up, the hot jogger she almost runs over is a welcome distraction to her writer’s block. When she learns of the Obelisk Treasure and how it attracts people to the town, she feels the beginnings of a book taking shape.
Peter, Cass and Dandy each find themselves entranced with the story of the treasure buried, found and then lost again, each learning something relevant from their particular sources, but some are more willing to share what they know than others.
When yet another member of the Society dies, Dandy is convinced that the death, and that of Mirabel, is suspicious and, after overhearing something very disturbing, even has a theory about motive. But is she putting herself in danger by sharing what she knows?
Ryan gives the reader a twisty tale of greed and betrayal, guilt and remorse, secrets and blackmail. Four separate narratives tell the story, one in the form of a journal, and another that is probably none too reliable. There’s a body count of seven before the somewhat contrived resolution.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Grove Atlantic.
The Society’s ageing membership, the five offspring of the original Treasure Hunters Club, has been radically reduced with the death of Reg, whose enthusiasm was their real impetus, and the walk out of Bill Jinx and Dr Frank Oakley. Rose French is fast losing the energy to participate, and only the scion of the Bellwood family, Mirabel Bellwood Johnson still has the passion needed, freshly stimulated by the discovery of her late father, Henry’s diary.
Mirabel has finally managed to connect with her grandson and only heir after her estranged daughter eschewed all contact since his birth, forty years earlier. Now, Peter Bellwood Barnett has come to Maple Bay after a lacklustre career in Vancouver. Unfortunately, before she has a chance to tell him why his presence in Maple Bay was so essential, he finds Mirabel at the bottom of the Bellwoods ornately carved staircase.
Just as Cass is despairing the state of her life, the failure of her writing career, and the need to quit New York, an opportunity lands in her lap: a year of house-sitting (and dog-minding) in the little town of Maple Bay, Nova Scotia. Might this be the place where her second novel is born?
Two of the locals she meets, Mirabel Bellwood and Bill Jinx are spectacularly unfriendly, but the bookstore owner, the bakery owner and the librarian make up for them. And although she’s not in the market for romance since her break-up, the hot jogger she almost runs over is a welcome distraction to her writer’s block. When she learns of the Obelisk Treasure and how it attracts people to the town, she feels the beginnings of a book taking shape.
Peter, Cass and Dandy each find themselves entranced with the story of the treasure buried, found and then lost again, each learning something relevant from their particular sources, but some are more willing to share what they know than others.
When yet another member of the Society dies, Dandy is convinced that the death, and that of Mirabel, is suspicious and, after overhearing something very disturbing, even has a theory about motive. But is she putting herself in danger by sharing what she knows?
Ryan gives the reader a twisty tale of greed and betrayal, guilt and remorse, secrets and blackmail. Four separate narratives tell the story, one in the form of a journal, and another that is probably none too reliable. There’s a body count of seven before the somewhat contrived resolution.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Grove Atlantic.
December 13, 2024
I was excited for main characters over 30 and a Cabot Cove like setting. But this turned out to be lack luster character development with an odd flow that culminated in a particularly eye rolling end.
I listened to the audiobook which was especially confusing as there were maybe 5 or 6 perspectives, only one narrator who didn't voice the characters differently and the chapters weren't attributed to a specific person at the start.
In terms of content, every character was oddly naive and it seems like no one had any concept of common sense or discretion. It was weird how an extremely wealthy person wouldn't sue for custody of her only grandchild or hire a private detective or set up a trust fund. It was strange how many people had phone conversations that were overheard instead of texting. It just over seemed particularly amateurish all around.
I listened to the audiobook which was especially confusing as there were maybe 5 or 6 perspectives, only one narrator who didn't voice the characters differently and the chapters weren't attributed to a specific person at the start.
In terms of content, every character was oddly naive and it seems like no one had any concept of common sense or discretion. It was weird how an extremely wealthy person wouldn't sue for custody of her only grandchild or hire a private detective or set up a trust fund. It was strange how many people had phone conversations that were overheard instead of texting. It just over seemed particularly amateurish all around.
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.
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.
November 18, 2024
3.75 stars rounded up for this cozy mystery that follows a diverse cast of characters and a generations-old hunt for pirate treasure. The plot centers around three main POVs. First, there is Peter, the long-lost grandson who has just been invited to the grand home of the wealthy estranged grandmother he's never known. Then, there's Dandy, a ninth grader who is grieving the loss of her grandfather and only just learning about the secrets of his childhood when he and a group of boys found the widely-reported but never-found lost treasure of pirates. Their narratives are loosely tied together by Cass, a down-on-her-luck author who lands a fabulous gig housesitting in town for a year and decides to begin writing a book about the town's history.
There is quite a lot going on in this book, with many generations included, and I could have benefited from a family tree for quick reference. This made for a couple of spots where I felt a bit lost and had to pause to reorient myself, but the mystery overall held its weight. While I suspected the culprit quite early on, I was relieved to find I had it wrong!
I think this is a perfect choice for cozy mystery lovers, and while it's billed as an adult book, middle-grade (especially as a read-aloud) to young adult readers would likely do well with it, too.
There is quite a lot going on in this book, with many generations included, and I could have benefited from a family tree for quick reference. This made for a couple of spots where I felt a bit lost and had to pause to reorient myself, but the mystery overall held its weight. While I suspected the culprit quite early on, I was relieved to find I had it wrong!
I think this is a perfect choice for cozy mystery lovers, and while it's billed as an adult book, middle-grade (especially as a read-aloud) to young adult readers would likely do well with it, too.
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.
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!
September 2, 2024
There were a lot of characters in this book, and while I don't mind multiple mains and interconnected story lines, The Treasure Hunters Club felt lacking in depth of the characters as well as how their stories were meant to collide. It felt as though I could see the outline of a fantastic story, but was only given the major plot points. In fact, the most well fleshed out characters in the story were all deceased, with us only visiting them through memories. And as far as the treasure hunting goes.. well... There was a treasure, but where was the adventure? The thrill of the chase? As someone who is a huge fan of real life treasure hunting I was very disappointed in that respect. The twist was... Random. It was certainly surprising, but not in the feel-good "picked up on the clues" type of way, because there were no clues. It had tense moments and tender moments.. neither of which gripped me because I felt like I didn't actually know anything about the characters, or at least not enough to care. The one thing I did love about this book was the authors ability to bring Bellwoods and the town to life. Overall, a 2.5/5 ⭐
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.
Want to read
October 11, 2024All I need to hear for a book is that it’s like Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone and I’ll snatch it off the shelves so fast. An instant add to my TBR. Can’t wait to pick it up.
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.
November 21, 2024
4.75 🌟
What a fantastic book! I picked this up from the library purely for the pretty cover, I didn't even read the synopsis. What a great find. I would classify this as a cozy mystery similar to Benjamin Stevenson style Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone. I was hooked from the start and pleasantly surprised by the twist and ending. Highly recommend!
What a fantastic book! I picked this up from the library purely for the pretty cover, I didn't even read the synopsis. What a great find. I would classify this as a cozy mystery similar to Benjamin Stevenson style Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone. I was hooked from the start and pleasantly surprised by the twist and ending. Highly recommend!
October 22, 2024
3 stars
This book was described as a modern day treasure hunt story, while there was a treasure it was more a murder mystery/ thriller. The writing was interesting and had some pretty good pacing, there were a couple lulls. There were a lot of character perspectives we followed, so it took a lot to keep everything straight. There was one character that was like a filler character, she did not have an impact in the plot, she was just there. I did like the mystery and the twist; those were great and did not see them coming. I really wanted more treasure hunting and following the clues, that was what was really missing in this book. Overall, this book was fine and entertaining in several aspects, but it was really missing some elements for me.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
This book was described as a modern day treasure hunt story, while there was a treasure it was more a murder mystery/ thriller. The writing was interesting and had some pretty good pacing, there were a couple lulls. There were a lot of character perspectives we followed, so it took a lot to keep everything straight. There was one character that was like a filler character, she did not have an impact in the plot, she was just there. I did like the mystery and the twist; those were great and did not see them coming. I really wanted more treasure hunting and following the clues, that was what was really missing in this book. Overall, this book was fine and entertaining in several aspects, but it was really missing some elements for me.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
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
October 23, 2024
The joy when a blurb on a book's cover says "oooo there's a TWIST!!!" and you actually figure it out almost immediately, but you dismiss it because "nah that would be dumb," and then you waste hours reading it just to discover, yup, that was it, and then the author goes on and on and on and ON with a rambling explanation about how clever he was for tricking you. Oh such a clever author. 😒
Waste of time.
Waste of time.
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.
November 24, 2024
3.75 Stars. I had not read any of Tom Ryan’s earlier novels, but with The Treasure Hunters Club being marketed as Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone (one of my top reads in 2023) meets The Goonies (a much-loved movie from my childhood) I could not pass up the chance to read it.
In terms of the nostalgic feel I was hoping for, Ryan has delivered in spades; weaving so many well-worn crime mystery tropes plus a healthy serving of pop culture references into this story. The similarities to Nancy Drew (the TV series) are hard to miss in many respects, with gutsy teenager Dandy, for me the most well-developed and compelling character in this novel.
I typically love multi-character alternating narrative perspectives and epistolary elements. For the most part, Ryan employs these constructs quite ably in The Treasure Hunters Club. They certainly kept me turning the digital pages. However, the character voices were not as distinct as I would have liked, and they are not clearly signposted. At the beginning of some chapters it took me quite a few paragraphs before I was sure whose viewpoint I was reading. Continue reading: https://www.bookloverbookreviews.com/...
In terms of the nostalgic feel I was hoping for, Ryan has delivered in spades; weaving so many well-worn crime mystery tropes plus a healthy serving of pop culture references into this story. The similarities to Nancy Drew (the TV series) are hard to miss in many respects, with gutsy teenager Dandy, for me the most well-developed and compelling character in this novel.
I typically love multi-character alternating narrative perspectives and epistolary elements. For the most part, Ryan employs these constructs quite ably in The Treasure Hunters Club. They certainly kept me turning the digital pages. However, the character voices were not as distinct as I would have liked, and they are not clearly signposted. At the beginning of some chapters it took me quite a few paragraphs before I was sure whose viewpoint I was reading. Continue reading: https://www.bookloverbookreviews.com/...
November 7, 2024
4.5 ⭐️!!! I want to go visit Maple Bay!! This had a good balance of mystery and thriller, but I really liked the relationships and the way the characters were written felt like I knew them. There were only a few things that confused me, but most of these were resolved by the end. I will definitely be reading more Tom Ryan’s books in the future!
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
October 13, 2024
3.5 stars - this was a fun story that was the adult Goonies story of my dreams.
I enjoyed the treasure hunt that spanned generations. All of the characters were so interesting but there were a lot to keep track of and some didn’t do much to move the plot. I enjoyed the twists (which I did NOT guess!) so that was a lot of fun - I love not guessing all of the twists right up front.
Overall this was a fun treasure hunt and I’m glad I got to participate!
I enjoyed the treasure hunt that spanned generations. All of the characters were so interesting but there were a lot to keep track of and some didn’t do much to move the plot. I enjoyed the twists (which I did NOT guess!) so that was a lot of fun - I love not guessing all of the twists right up front.
Overall this was a fun treasure hunt and I’m glad I got to participate!
November 20, 2024
This was a refreshing read! I had little expectations for this, I had never heard of it prior to a good reads ad. But I enjoyed the plot, the characters, & the big plot twist I didn’t see coming. Would recommend
November 10, 2024
this was gonna be 3 stars until like 80% where i was absolutely gagged until the end
October 31, 2024
This started off really great. It seemed like an interesting premise, and I couldn't wait to see where it led.The problem is the story never really went anywhere. For a book called The Treasure Hunters Club, there was very little actual treasure hunting. I still probably would have given it 4 stars right up until the very end, but the final scene drops it down to a three.
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!
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.
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