Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico.
Rebecca Westin is shocked to learn the grandfather she never knew has left her a bona fide buried treasure – but only if she can decipher a complex series of clues leading to it. The hunt would be challenging enough without interference from her half-siblings, who are determined to find the treasure first and keep it for themselves. Good thing Rebecca has recruited some help, in the form of a green-eyed charmer determined to show her that a desert adventure can be sexy and fun. But there’s a treacherous wildcard in the mix, a man willing to do anything to get that treasure – and revenge. In a frantic race across New Mexico, Rebecca will have to ignore caution in a defiant bid for victory. If she fails, she could lose everything.
Action and romance combine in this lively Southwestern adventure, complete with riddles the reader is invited to solve to identify historical and cultural sites around New Mexico. See the DMT page of Kris Bock’s website for a printable list of the clues and recipes from the book.
The first book in the Southwest Treasure Hunters series is The Mad Monk’s Treasure. The Dead Man’s Treasureis book 2. Each novel stands alone and is complete, with no cliffhangers. This series mixes action and adventure with “closed door” romance. The stories explore the Southwest, especially New Mexico.
Excerpt
Rebecca’s hand shook as she reached for the box. It was a metal candy tin for peppermint bark. Maybe Grandpa had a sweet tooth? Or was this some random trash left by a tourist too lazy to bring it back to his car? She straightened and gazed down at the box. It had to hold the next clue. It would be too much of a coincidence – and too heartbreaking – if it were anything else.
She glanced at Sam and he nodded in encouragement, drawing close to her side. She swung open the lid. Several folded pieces of paper lay inside. A strip of masking tape on the inside lid had words in marker: “Take one and leave the others unless you are the last.”
Rebecca pulled out the top piece of paper and unfolded it.
Are they witches in disguise
Or prophets of the future?
The men who came here didn’t know.
They had destruction on their minds.
And they changed the world.
They ate of the flesh among bombers and bullets.
And so should you!
Then past the dead soldiers you’ll find a dead end.
One is the loneliest number
Walled off from its fellows.
Pay your respects and do not forget.
Another baffling poem. Rebecca wrinkled her nose. “This one’s kind of gruesome.”
“No kidding. What about the other papers?”
Rebecca crouched by a handy rock – not one with petroglyphs – and used it as a table. She pulled out the papers one by one and skimmed them. “They all seem to be the same.”
“We’d better double check to be sure. You read one and I’ll follow along on another.” They checked the five pieces of paper that way; all were identical.
“One for each of the grandchildren, I suppose. In case we weren’t working together.” Rebecca examined the box itself before returning four pieces of paper to it. Sophia would not be collecting her copy, but Rebecca couldn’t see any point in taking it, and the note said, “Take one.” Rebecca closed the box and stood.
For a moment, the world spun. She took a quick breath.
Sam’s arm came around her. “Okay?”
Two more deep breaths and she could answer. “Fine now, thanks. Just a little lightheaded.” She was tempted to lean into him, to relax against his shoulder. She resisted the urge. “I know, I know, drink water. Let me put this back.”
She returned the box to its hiding place, picked up the bottle she’d set down while looking at the clue, and finished the water. Sam hovered closely, as if to support her if she needed help. She couldn’t quite decide if she wished she needed help or was glad she didn’t. She wouldn’t fake helplessness, though, and the weakness had passed.
She gave Sam a bright smile. “All better now. I just stood up too fast.”
He studied her intently. She hadn’t realized how green his eyes were, or how the tiny laugh lines around them made him both sexy and approachable. Her heart thudded in her chest. You keep looking at me like that, and I won’t be fine.
Professional Reviews
Publishers Weekly BookLife
Bock adds a clever interactive twist, tempting recipes, and endearing characters to this chaste and somewhat formulaic romantic thriller, which is linked to The Mad Monk’s Treasure but stands well on its own. Instead of leaving each of his grandchildren a tidy sum, Rebecca Westin’s millionaire grandfather left them a series of winner-take-all clues to a buried fortune. Camie Dagneau and Erin Mayer (familiar to readers of the first book) have plenty of treasure-hunting expertise, and Rebecca, estranged from her relatives because her father abandoned her, needs all the help she can get. Camie and Erin’s friend Sam offers to help with the search, and it’s all good, suspenseful fun as Rebecca and Sam traipse the New Mexico desert, deciphering clues and trying to outwit Rebecca’s half siblings. Though the plot is spare in the romance department, there’s plenty of suspense, as well as abundant touristy tips and tastes of the Southwest. (Publishers Weekly BookLife, 2015)
http://publishersweekly.com/978-0-692-37167-1
great read
Okay, first of all, I love that the author makes this book interactive – if the reader wants it to be. You can go online and download a printable copy of the treasure map and try to decipher the clues yourself. I found that it be a fun addition to the book, plus you'll also get awesome Southwestern recipes.
The book itself is a great read. If you love mysteries, you're going to love trying to solve this one. I enjoyed the characters. At first, Rebecca seems to be a bit uptight, but that's understandable, given her situation.
The Dead Man's Treasure is fast-paced and a perfect read for the weekend. I highly recommend this one. - A. Brantley, A Girl and her Ebooks
I would give this 10 stars if I could!!
WOW WOW WOW!!!! I can't say enough how much I LOVED this book! It has mystery, adventure, danger, romance, and above it all family remains a huge theme.
The characters are amazingly well-developed and are people you know you would be comfortable around a campfire with. While this story focuses on Rebecca and her budding relationship with Sam, it brings in her new found family, both her blood related half-siblings and her new friends in Erin, Drew, and Camie that she meets along the way.
The story line is unique, fun, and makes for a fast-paced read. I never would have pegged the actual plot from the name of the book or the cover, but it was a great surprise to find out what this treasure hunt was all about.
The settings are described beautifully and I literally squee-ed (yes that high-pitched happy girly noise) reading the first bit about the history of the area that they have to search. The pictures were an awesome addition to the book, but I can say with the words that Kris used to describe the setting I saw exactly what she wanted me to see. Being a California girl and a history major I have always loved stories that focus on the history of the southwest United States so these books are right up my alley. I was literally like a kid in a candy store turning page after page reading this story. By Jules R.
