action-adventure, cultural-differences, cultural-exploration, cultural-heritage, Hawai'i, historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, read, reporter, treasure, world-travel*****

If only it wasn't seven zillion pages!
It also needs to be in audio to make pronunciation easier.
The story was great, and the solutions inspired. But then I'm a history geek.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Inkspiration Media, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles via NetGalley. Many thanks!
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Entertaining, Great world building, Informative, Original, Page-turner, wonderful characters, unpredictable, witty

706 pages

5 stars

What a wonderful historical novel!

Mr. Richard blends historical fact with a tale of a grand treasure hunt. It is 1846 and the United States is at war with Mexico.

The intrepid reporter Samantha Swift is undercover investigating a human trafficking ring, smugglers and cutthroats. Interestingly enough, we first find her in a “high class” brothel. There she rescues and escapes with a Hawaiian Island woman. This becomes very important later in the story.

Meanwhile, the President of the United States is desperate to obtain funding to continue the war with Mexico. He and his advisors have heard about Napoleon's lost treasure. (Which he had liberated from Malta.) He sends his best agent Jack Dancer on the trail of the treasure. Is it in France, Zanzibar, Hawaii - or some place else? With very little to go on, Jack undertakes the search.

As this reader expected, Sam and Jack’s paths eventually cross. Action, adventure and trouble are still following the pair as they discover that their goals are intertwined.

The descriptions of the islands, cities and life aboard sailing ships are very colorful and true to life. Life was hard, rough, dirty and smelly back then. I felt as though I was aboard the ship with the spray in my face. Or, sneaking through the dirty and violent streets in Paris.

Jack and Sam are great characters. I liked them both and enjoyed their interactions. Sufficient background information was given to flesh them out and make them “real” people.All in all, a very fine job Mr. Richard. I will gladly read the next in this series.

I want to thank NetGalley and Inspiration Media/IBPA for forwarding to me a copy of this very fine book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

****This book is not yet available to review on GoodReads, BookBub or Amazon. I will watch these sites for the book to become available so that I may post my review.