I read a YA book (Keep This to Yourself) by this author forever ago, and I really enjoyed it and kept them on my radar. So when I heard about this I was really excited! I liked this--this was a fun, well-plotted book about a pirate's treasure, secrets and murder. The pacing was great, the characters were fleshed out and the plot was intricate but not overly bogged down. This was a fun thriller, and I'm looking forward to more from Tom Ryan.

This is my first book by this author, and I was completely absorbed in the story, staying up well past my bedtime just to read more. *The Treasure Hunters Club* is a cozy mystery set in Nova Scotia that weaves three characters' lives together. There’s Peter, a single gay guy nearing forty; Dandy, a 17-year-old dealing with the loss of her granddad; and Cass, a thirty-something YA author trying to get her book published. Peter shares his story in the first person, while Dandy and Cass are narrated in the third person.

The story may not break new ground or explore deep angst, and it lacks complex psychological layers to unpack. However, it's incredibly easy to get drawn into, moving along at a brisk pace and exuding warmth and approachability. The characters come across as genuine and endearing. I thought I had it figured out about the plot twist, but it completely blindsided me!

A big thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for providing this incredible ARC! I loved every moment of it!

Thank you, NetGalley and Grove Atlantic | Atlantic Monthly Press for this book for review. This was a fun thriller about pirate treasure, family secrets, and murder. This book bounces back and forth between time periods and although this isn't really a search for the pirate treasure, it is a thriller as who doesn't want the treasure and who isn't willing to KILL for treasure? Definitely a fun thriller and I will look out for this author in the future.

With a long lost treasure, family secrets and murder, The Treasure Hunters Club was a story that I could not put down. Peter Barnett is about to turn forty. He is in a job that he hates and shares an apartment with a strange roommate. When he receives a letter from his estranged grandmother asking him to come to Maple Bay to get to know each other, he has nothing to lose. Cass Jones’ first book was well received but now her book contract is cancelled, she has broken up with her boyfriend and she is losing her apartment. When a friend of her family asks her to house sit for a year in Maple Bay it offers a new beginning. Dandy Feltzer is a teenager who grew up in Maple Bay. She would spend her time on the beach with Grandy, her grandfather, combing for small treasures in the sand. When Grandy passes away his cottage is left to Dandy’s aunt, who has plans for it. Before her aunt takes it over Dandy finds a sack with Grandy’s treasure hunting tools and a map. There are stories of a lost pirate treasure and this may be a clue to its’ location. When Cass learns the story of the treasure it ignites her desire to write again. Shortly after Peter’s arrival his grandmother dies, leaving behind her father’s journal. It details how as a boy he and his friends found the treasure and hid it again, to be dug up and shared when they became adults. His journal is filled with family secrets and details of the fates of the boys but not the ultimate fate of the treasure. Now someone wants the treasure and is willing to kill in order to find it. Tom Ryan paints a picture of a quaint town where everyone knows each other. While his characters are well developed, Dandy is a stand out. Like Nancy Drew, she ultimately puts all of the clues together and unites these characters. From start to finish and through all of the twists that Ryan throws at you, this was a delight to read. I would like to thank NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for providing this book.

I don't know if I've ever been so blindsided by a plot twist! Like holy heck man and then some!

The Treasure Hunters Club follows 3 POVs from very different characters at very different points in their lives. Peter Barnett, an almost 40 year old with nothing to show for his life. He hates his dead-end job and lives with a guy he barely interacts with in an apartment because the rent is cheap. Dandy Feltzen is seventeen and grieving the loss of her grandfather while trying to make sense of his final wishes. Cass Jones has all but given up on her writing career and is avoiding writing her next book as she doesn't want to end her career before she can find success.

Set in Maple Bay, Nova Scotia- a town famous for lost pirate treasure- these three cross paths as they search for what is causing a sudden influx of deaths in the town. And why are so many locals still obsessed with the lost treasure myth? Could it be within their reach after all this time?

I LOVED how this book was written- so easy to read and get lost in. Switching between the characters' POVs was flawless and they were each well developed and relatable. The history of this town and the characters goes back several generations, and it was the perfect foundation for the novel! I'm very impressed with all Tom Ryan put into his book and can't wait to read another by him! I will definitely be recommending this book for anyone wanting a mystery/thriller!!

Thank you, Grove Atlantic and NetGalley, for this ARC!

Following three separate characters who come to a small town called Maple Bay, unaware of how their lives will intertwine with one another as dark family secrets come to light…

I absolutely devour this fast-paced, easy-to-read story with its short chapters, making it difficult to put down my Kindle.
Treasure hunting and murder mystery are a fantastic combo to make a great book, I was captivated with the mystery of the hidden treasure and later, the murder investigation.

The last 20% of the book is where things get really intense!
That one huge twist was something I didn’t see coming at all, the clues were there but I completely missed them!

Overall, such a fun and thrilling mystery with a satisfying ending!
The author cleverly wrote the twist and placed the clues in a way that wasn’t obvious, making for an unexpected surprise!
I will definitely be looking for more books by this author in the future!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Death, gun violence, confinement, alcohol, grief, brief mention of pregnancy, addiction, cancer

This was a cute idea, but I don’t think the execution matched the concept.

On a basic level this is pretty standard cozy mystery stuff, though I thought the treasure hunt aspect of it had potential. The problem is that the treasure hunt really isn’t one, as you know exactly what happened to the treasure very early in the story, and the rest is just a very long explanation of the fallout.

It’s also a bit irritating that the villain really comes out of left field, making the big reveal and the twist that goes with it kind of a letdown. And while I thought some of the friendship themes here were sweet and enjoyable, it gets a bit schmaltzy in the end for my taste.

This book was certainly a page-turner and I kept wanting to skip ahead and find the answer! This is a well-crafted mystery with excellent riddles and clues along the way. I liked most of the characters, and I was very invested in their progress. Dandy in particular was warm and relatable, and it was fun to follow her story.

I really liked the flashbacks via diary, but I struggled with the author switching tenses, from first person to third person, and I don't love present-tense writing, so I found those elements a bit jarring. The author did a great job, however, building suspense and creating two interesting storylines, the past and present intersecting at the very end.

The Treasure Hunters Club is set in Maple Bay, Nova Scotia and is the location of a legendary lost pirate treasure, the Obelisk, where locals and foreigners have been searching for this treasure for almost a century. The story follows three main characters Peter Barnett, who just got invited to go to Maple Bay by his estranged grandmother, Mirabel Bellwood. Dandy Feltzen, who just lost her grandfather, who she was very close with and he leaves her a clue for her to try and decipher and find the treasure. Lastly, we have Cass Jones, a writer who has not been struck with inspiration after her YA book did not fair so well and was leaving the city, Manhattan, and moving back home until her late father's friend calls her with a proposition for a new adventure.

I really liked this book, like who doesn't like a search for a lost pirate treasure? Let me just say I did not see the plot twist coming and it was very well executed. I love a good murder mystery, this book was a mix of murder mystery and treasure hunting. The side characters did help move the story along and brought more life to the town and showed the reader that this was a small town, where everyone is either involved or wants to be involved in the story. My overall favourite character was Dandy, her curious nature and smarts made me love reading each chapter she was involved in.

Thank you NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Edelweiss, and Grove/Atlantic Monthly Press for getting me early access to the digital ARC of this new book!

I had soo much fun with this novel! The characters and story instantly pulled me in and I didn’t want to stop! There were red herrings and clues to distract, and I will not lie. I for sure gasped out loud a few times because the twists and turns completely threw me off!

Dandy, Peter and Cass were such fun characters to hang out with through this tale. Seeing their growth and depth just made it all the more real while also splicing in some amazing characters from the past.

I had such a great time with this novel and now I want a movie or Netflix series or something!! It was awesome!! Thanks again and I highly recommend!!

#thetreasurehuntersclub #netgalley

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 really enjoyed this book! It has a great cast of characters, and the atmosphere of a seaside town settling in for the fall is spot on. It’s a quick read, but the pace is just right. There’s a chance to get to know the characters and consider all the little clues along the way. It feels kind of “Stand by Me”, kind of “The Goonies”, maybe with a little Nancy Drew/The Hardy Boys thrown in. I also think the big twist was really well done.

Can a new generation of seekers find a missing fortune?

The small Nova Scotia town of Maple Bay is quaint and scenic; it is also the alleged location of the long lost treasure of pirate Captain Barnabas Dagger, whose ship the Obelisk (or so the story goes) was chased into the bay during a battle at sea and who sent men ashore to bury stolen gold and jewels which were never seen again. Over the years many have developed theories about and made plans to unearth the fortune, but none have apparently succeeded. But three people, two of them newcomers to Maple Bay, may have better luck. Peter receives a letter from the grandmother he has never met, Mirabel Bellwood Johnson, inviting him to come and stay with her in their family home Bellwoods. The Bellwood family has been the leading family of Maple Bay for generations, and Mirabel and Peter are its last living descendants. About to turn 40 and with no clear direction in life, Peter decides to leave the Pacific Northwest, his dead end job and non-existent social life behind and explore his family roots. Cass is at a similar crossroads in her life; a writer whose debut YA book launched with great fanfare but failed to live up to early hype in both its sales figures and in (lack of) placement on bestsellers lists, she has no employment prospects, a failed relationship and no way to continue living in NYC (the very expensive and unforgiving city of her dreams). About to return to her childhood home in Milwaukee to lick her wounds and go to work in her stepfather’s office, Cass gets a call from Alan Trapper, who claims to be an old friend of her father. Alan and his wife Judith are about to embark on a year-long dream adventure traveling the world but need a house-and-dog sitter for their home in Maple Bay, and having heard from Cass’ mother that she’s in a sort of limbo is offering her the job. She jumps at the chance, hoping that the opportunity will give her the space and inspiration to write another book. Then there is teenaged Danielle aka Dandy who has recently lost her beloved grandfather Reg “Grandy” Feltzen, with whom she had long explored the Maple Bay coast talking about and searching for the Obelisk treasure. Grandy left behind a piece of nautical chart and a plea for Dandy to join up with the surviving members of a group to which he belonged, each the descendant of five long-dead Maple Bay boys who claimed posthumously to have found, and then lost, the Obelisk treasure decades ago and whose collective aim it is to find it again. But as people start turning up dead it seems that the good natured search for treasure has taken a dark turn….does it truly exist and, if so, who wants it badly enough to kill for it?
A thriller that weaves in buried treasure, family secrets, and people looking to restart lives that haven’t gone according to plan, there is much to enjoy. The characters are quirky and relatable, the setting is charming…and who doesn’t like the legend of buried treasure? But while I enjoyed the book overall, it felt like author Tom Ryan was trying to cram several stories into one. Was it the story of a precocious teenager mourning the loss of her grandfather and trying to honor his dying wishes? Is it that of a man raised after his mother’s untimely death by a cold aunt and uncle who is grasping at the chance to form a relationship with family he never knew? Or is it that of a writer whose confidence crumbled when her book failed to achieve its potential, but who through an out-of-the-blue offer from someone she doesn’t know sees one last chance to achieve her dreams (and maybe find a new love in the bargain)? Their lives collide in Maple Bay and they each have a part to play in getting to the bottom of the mystery, but their connections to one another seemed a bit contrived, and other elements of the story strained credulity at times. I would rate it 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4, because I did like the characters and the concept of the novel, but found its execution a bit clunky at times…other reviewers have felt differently, so this is only one reader’s opinion. Readers of Peter Swanson, Peter Nichols and J. Courtney Sullivan might want to give this a try. My thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic/Atlantic Monthly Press for allowing me early access to The Treasure Hunter’s Club.

An adventure that blends humor and mystery and with some twists thrown in for good measure equals a really good read. The characters and dialogue keep a good pace. The story plays out with lots of twists and turns, making it a gripping read I couldn’t put down.

THE TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB by Tom Ryan is set in Maple Bay, Nova Scotia which is a seaside town and the "treasure" they are hunting is called Obelisk Treasure, from a pirate chest left long ago belonging to Captain Barnabas Dagger. Told in part in the present day, the story also shifts a generation or two back in time to when the club "members" (Henry Bellwood; Archie Jinx, "Junior" French, "Red" Oakley and Elmer Feltzen) stumble upon the treasure and decides to hide it again until they come of age. That would have turned their lives around, but instead the discovery acts as a curse of sorts which results in multiple deaths and a club member facing a long prison sentence. The treasure is stolen and hidden yet again, and future descendants try for forty years to find the treasure without luck. It takes yet another generation to solve the complicated riddle. There is a beautiful old house called Bellwood which was fun to imagine and I liked the treasure hunting aspect, but so many characters were involved and the connections became confusing: "As she tries to wrap her head around the countless relationships that have played out here over the years, and the interactions and conversations and arguments and love affairs that spiraled out from them, it almost makes her dizzy." The story starts out slowly since there is a great deal of backstory to explain, but the characters gradually come into focus and at about eighty percent of the way there is a crazy twist in the story, too. THE TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB received a starred review from Library Journal who described it as having, "the cozy charm of Jessica Fletcher's Cabot Cove, with almost as many murders."

Thank you Grove Atlantic for the this review copy, Overall, this book is a charming, quirky, fun-filled read for fans of cozy mysteries, treasure hunts, and nostalgic thrillers like The Goonies. (who doesn't love the goonies???)

The Treasure Hunters Club by Tom Ryan is a fast-paced, nostalgic adventure that blends humor, mystery, and twists. Set in the idyllic seaside town of Maple Bay, the story revolves around three characters—Peter, Cass, and Dandy—each drawn into a treasure hunt tied to their families’ pasts. The novel’s treasure-hunting theme will appeal to fans of pirate stories, with engaging characters and a setting full of small-town secrets. The adventure unfolds with plenty of twists and turns, making it an exhilarating page-turner. The story’s quirky characters and sharp dialogue keep the pace lively, and the exploration of generational bonds adds depth to the mystery.

This was just what I expected. It was a fun, light, twisty mystery. I have read other reviews critiquing the "YA writing style" but what does that even mean? YA stories today are well-thought out and more relevant to life than many "adult writing styles". I this is one I will recommend!

Who doesn’t like a treasure hunt! This book was so fun and was written for anyone that grew up reading pirate stories or watching movies about treasure hunters. I could not put down this book, I stayed up all night reading it, and I loved the adventure. Tom Ryan’s writing was super fun and entertaining from beginning to end. Overall, “The Treasure Hunters Club” is a delightful adventure with great characters. I highly recommend it!

Thank you, Net Galley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re looking for a book that’s both funny and exciting, “The Treasure Hunters Club” by Tom Ryan is a total winner. This book is a blast, full of humor, spot-on dialogue, and a story that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

What I loved most were the characters and the small-town vibe of Maple Bay. The town is buzzing with juicy rumors, old family secrets, and the legend of a pirate treasure. Ryan does an amazing job of weaving all these elements together, making it super engaging and hard to put down.

If you’re into cozy crime or adventure stories, this book is perfect for you. The plot moves at a great pace with lots of clever twists and turns that keep you guessing. Honestly, it would make an awesome movie, and I really hope it gets adapted for the screen someday.

Tom Ryan’s writing is sharp and witty, and he keeps the story moving quickly. The plot is well-crafted with plenty of surprises, making it a fun and entertaining read from beginning to end.

Overall, “The Treasure Hunters Club” is a delightful adventure that promises a fun and exciting reading experience. Highly recommended!