In a small village in Nova Scotia, talk of pirate treasure is common. Three young people from different backgrounds and parts of the country are thrown together to solve the mystery. There are several murders and many secrets as well as an old journal which reveals the truth. Fun read mostly because NS is my home.

I was on the fence about reading The Treasure Hunters Club, Tom Ryan’s latest novel. For no real reason. I just wasn’t sure if I’d want to read a book about treasure hunting. Turns out, I’m an idiot for thinking that. This book was so. Much. Freaking. Fun.

Here’s the book’s description:

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.

The novel started with the best kind of cozy mystery feel - think Richard Osman - but I had a sense there was something sinister lying underneath. So, you’d think I’d be prepared for the twist that hit late in the book. Oh, I was not. Not in the least. I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped and I exclaimed “holy shit!” as the twist was revealed. (Luckily, I was reading at home and not in a public place that frowns upon invested readers swearing in disbelief at the turn the book they’re reading has taken.)

The coziness was due, in part, to the small town setting. It was absolute perfection. I’ve never been to Nova Scotia but I really felt like I was there, plunked down in Maple Bay, getting to know it right alongside Peter and Cass. Even though it was clear some of the characters were hiding something, I loved getting to know them all. And I especially loved finding out what secrets the town had been keeping under wraps.

The novel is narrated in the first person by Peter and in third person by Cass and Dandy. You’d think it would get confusing but it was handled beautifully by Ryan. I also, somewhat surprisingly, liked the way he approached some of the chapters and how he kept the story moving. For example, Cass is going about her business in her chapter and then comes across something. Instead of continuing with her POV, Ryan switches to another character at a slightly later point in time. You don’t get Cass’s reaction until a chapter or so later. But somehow it worked. I think it extended the tension, especially later in the book when you’re really starting to realize something is seriously wrong. But what could it be?

The Treasure Hunters Club was an absolute treat of a book and I’m so glad Tom Ryan has gifted it to the world. I was so invested in the town, the characters, and the mystery. I could not have guessed the ending and the entire ride, from the first page to the last, was a joy - if you can call a book full of murder a joy!

*An egalley was provided by the publisher, Simon & Schuster Canada, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Sadly, this fell flat for me in so many ways. For one, the treasure hunt (which is what I came for), is largely off-the-page and resolved early in the book, leaving us with a story of murder and conspiracy. The characters were rather thin and boring, and the first-person POV for Peter and epistolary format throughout resulted in a lot of telling, not a lot of showing, which robbed the story of any tension or drama. Finally, for what was pitched as an adult cozy mystery, this felt very juvenile and not necessarily in a good way.

A swash-buckling mystery filled with treasure, betrayals, ghosts, murder, family secrets, kidnappings and so, SO much more. I really enjoyed this adult debut by Canadian author, Tom Ryan. It was fast-paced, layered and had some terrific twists I didn't see coming. Highly recommended if you want an entertaining mystery story that spans generations and affects five different Nova Scotia families in myriad of ways. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and physical ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

I adored this Nova Scotian Treasure hunt! The characters were fun, the mystery was mysterious and it kept be guessing to the end! This was such an enjoyable read and I binged it in just a few days! I can't wait to see what Tom Ryan has in store next! His first adult fiction was a real treat!

4 stars

I was initially drawn to this book because, I mean come on, a club of treasure hunters? I couldn't NOT read it! But the plot ended up actually being a lot denser than I expected, even though the writing style was pretty clear and easy to read. There were several plot points that I found myself easily anticipating but a few twists that caught me totally off-guard. The book jumps back and forth in time because such a large part of the story is couched in the past; sometimes it can be hard as a reader to remember the 'when and where' of it all when moving between times and/or narrators but I didn't find myself having any trouble getting back to the present storylines when they inevitably wrapped back around.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Tom Ryan, and Simon & Schuster Canada for giving me access to a free digital advanced readers copy of the book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided voluntarily.

A long lost treasure, engaging main characters and family secrets make for fun cozy mystery. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC.

This kept me hooked right till the end. That climax was absolutely brilliant because I didn't see the twist coming and I'm generally very good at predicting plot. It's very rarely that I'm surprised by a plot twist but this book managed to do that so I'm in awe! Would definitely recommend!!

Maple Bay, Nova Scotia is an idyllic town with a mystery at the helm! People flock to the city hunting a lost treasure, but when three specific people head to Maple Bay, the treasure hunt changes completely. Peter Barnett is lost as he turns 40, and returns to Maple Bay to discover his own family origins; Dandy Feltzen is an uncertain teenager sent on this mission by her dying grandfather; and Cass Jones is searching for the perfect plot for her debut novel. The three are brought together in the search for treasure in Maple Bay, where this cozy mystery changes all of their lives.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review!

The writing for this one was good, however the story was told from all three perspectives, which can be a challenge to hold the reader's attention. For myself, I find I often lean more to one POV over another, which is something that happened here. I found myself loving Dandy's POV, and rushing through Peter and Cass' stories to get back to Dandy. I found also that it wasn't always clear who was speaking, and so had to find other clues throughout the chapters. The ending of the book was so captivating, and an absolute fun and jaw dropping twist! This one is a must-read for any fan of cozy mysteries!

Such a fun book, but not without its dark and sad moments. Tales of pirates, a buried treasure and a seaside town has everything you would want in a book. The friend group in this story brought me back to my childhood. Loved this story and preordered the book because the eARC does not include the map!

The Treasure Hunters Club: A Mystery by Tom Ryan

This is the perfect treasure hunter cozy mystery I have been looking for, the atmosphere of Maple Bay and the crew Peter, Dandy and Cass are fantastic. With a murder mystery to solve and twists you do not see coming it was such a fun read. I hope this becomes a series, I’m here for this maritime cozy murder mystery vibe. I would highly recommend reading this book.

When I was young I loved maps. (And I still do). I would trace the lines on the map, marking the final destination. I kept also kept copious lists of places that my family's station wagon drove through. And yes, I dreamed about finding a map to a treasure chest. I'm still looking - and I've found a treasure in Tom Ryan's new book - The Treasure Hunters Club.

There is so much to love in this book. I loved the setting by the sea, and the town of Maple Bay. The legend of the pirate's booty draws in quite a few tourists. As well as a number of permanent residents.

Ryan tells this wonderful tale with three main characters - Peter, Cass and Dandy (she's my favorite!). Each of the three have their own voice. There's a wealth of supporting players from the present and the past.

Who's telling the truth? Who are lying? Is the legend of the pirate plunder true?

Ryan kept me on my toes the entire way to the final ah hah! There's a twist that is epic! Things did not turn out as I had thought they would. And I adore being wrong!

Get comfy in your favourite reading spot - you're not going want this one down. Bravo Tom Ryan!

This felt like a light, cozy type of mystery, but I found it to be overly complicated and keeping track of the characters was sometimes difficult and diluted each of their stories. The many POV's did not help. I also found the romance was not well written. That being said, it was still a decently fun read, with a nice twist. I also liked the Nova Scotia setting. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reading copy. 3.25/5

The Treasure Hunters Club promises a fun adventure centering around a lost pirate treasure and boy, does it deliver.

If you're like me and were obsessed with Oak Island, this is the perfect book for you. It definitely pulls inspiration from the real life legend and gives us a great story to go along with it.

Peter receives a mysterious letter from his estranged grandmother one day, inviting him to Nova Scotia to her lavish estate. Little does he know, he will become entangled in a story of pirate gold, deceit, and murder.

I was absolutely captivated by this story and was so along for the ride. It's a little bit Goonies/Stand By Me which was a lot of fun. Tom Ryan did a great job creating a rich history and cast of characters.

the premise of this book sounded so interesting to me, lost treasure, secrets, a secret society. Instead at times the writing felt a little juvenile (perhaps because that is what the author has written in the past?)
I felt that things were either over explained or under explained and then things were wrapped up far too easily. I can see how the author had a great idea, I just wish that there had been a bit more substance to it.

Mystery. Secrets. Families. Treasure. Enjoyable. Clever. 3/5.
I didn't love this book, but I didn't hate it.

The Treasure Hunter’s Club grabbed my attention because of the stories it’s being compared to. What stories? Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone and The Goonies. One is a favorite book from last year, and the other is an all-time favorite movie. Do those comparisons hold water? I have to say, kind of. I won’t go into more detail because I don’t want to ruin the story for you.

This story is rich with a large cast of characters and is narrated through multiple timelines. The original story told in captivating flashbacks, begins in the 1920s. The central part of the story unfolds in the current timeline, 2023-2024. With multiple generations involved, the story is brought to life through various voices, keeping you engaged.

The Treasure Hunter’s Club is a real page-turner. You’ll find it nearly impossible to put it down, as you’re constantly on the edge of your seat, eager to discover if anyone will uncover the long-lost treasure.

What age group is this book intended for? It’s a great question. Dandy, the driving force of the book, is a teen. Peter is 40, and Cass is in her late 20s. Several of the other characters are in their 80s. This diverse age range ensures that anyone who enjoys mysteries and treasure hunting will find something to love in this book.

With twists and turns numerous and plenty, The Treasure Hunters Club is a fun read.

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. Like many children of the 80s, I loved The Goonies movie and I heard this book had similar vibes. And it sort of does. Or at least, parts of it do. The book is told from alternating points of view and the chapters told from Dandy’s perspective definitely had a Goonies feel to them.

Out of all the characters, Dandy was my clear favourite. Mourning the loss of her grandfather, with whom she had a very special relationship, she discovers one last little present he left her. His trusty satchel full of practical tools that he took everywhere with him, and inside, a map and a letter. This sets Dandy on a path to find the fabled buried treasure of Maple Bay. She’s a regular Nancy Drew about it, and I loved her dedication. Tom has largely written YA to date so it comes as no surprise that Dandy is the standout character.

Meanwhile, the adults in the story are a bit more of a mess; both of them at a crossroads in their life. Cass has written a book with great promise, but with underwhelming sales, the sequel is cancelled by her publisher. She’s about to move home to Milwaukee when she gets an offer to housesit in Nova Scotia for a year. When she arrives in Maple Bay, inspiration hits as she learns about the treasure. She’ll learn all she can and write about it. For his part Peter, now in his forties is not thriving. Working a dead end job on the West Coast and living with a roommate, his life leaves lots of room for improvement. When a letter arrives from his long lost grandmother, he decides to leave everything behind and move across the country.

I absolutely loved the setting of Maple Bay, Nova Scotia. Tom does a wonderful job of capturing the essence of the place and all the gorgeous scenery of this coastal town. I had such a clear image in my head as I read. I love when books are set in Canada, being Canadian myself. Nova Scotia is a special place and Tom did a tremendous job of convincing readers of it.

The plot moves along at a solid pace. Fast enough to keep me interested and turning the pages, but slow enough to still qualify as a cozy mystery. At several points I thought I had the mystery figured out but then something shocking would happen and I’d be back to the drawing board with my theories. There are so many red herrings in this story; I loved every minute of it.

A super fun read, The Treasure Hunters Club will keep you guessing, right until the very end.

- Book Review -

I absolutely loved The Treasure Hunter's Club by Tom Ryan. It was a fantastic mystery set in small town Nova Scotia that follows a group of long time friends and their ultimate quest to find sunken treasure. When Peter is invited to his grandmother Mirabel's house to learn about the history of the treasure and reconcile their non-existent relationship, people in the town start to get killed. Who is killing them and why?

I like the pace of the novel, the multiple POVs, and the humour as well. If you are looking for a fun mystery novel, check out The Treasure Hunter's Club, which is out soon!

Thank you to @simonschusterca and @netgalley for the eARC!
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I think my hopes were too high with this story. I went into it thinking it was a murder mystery with a cast of “found family characters”, but that’s not the case.

Here’s what I liked:

- The setting. I enjoyed the town of Maple Bay, Nova Scotia. I want to visit, to stop by the book shop and the bakery and walk along the beach.

- Bellwoods. Houses like this have a way of becoming characters in their own stories. From the staircase to the bell tower, Bellwoods added a sense of atmosphere.

- Dandy. She was by far the most well-developed character in a huge cast, and definitely my favourite.

- The “big” twist. Didn’t see that coming.

What didn’t work so well for me:

- The multiple POVs made it hard for me to get into. I was still struggling at the 50% mark, especially since the main characters don’t really interact.

- One MC being written in first person, while the other two MCs use third person.

- We were shown everything. There was a pages long journal that laid everything out. And if you don’t understand, don’t worry, the characters have a nice little chat explaining everything to each other.

- For a murder mystery, there wasn’t much tension or suspense to speak of. It was more like, “oh, someone else is dead? Oh well.” Worst police work in all of Canada, honestly.

Overall I just found everything about the book far-fetched, which made it that much harder to enjoy. The version I read was not the final draft, so I think if the writing is tightened up, this could be a fun story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for providing the ARC of this book. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.