The Bottom Line: A taut historical thriller that blends a rich tapestry of American folklore with modern adventure and romance. Perfect for fans of Steve Berry and James Rollins.
In the timeless tradition of The Count of Monte Cristo, David R. Leng’s new book centers around a modern-day search for buried treasure. In this case, the fortune comes courtesy of the real-life historical account of British General Edward Braddock, who, in 1755, led a wartime expedition in what is now Pennsylvania. As Braddock’s forces marched toward Fort Duquesne, his troops were ambushed by French and Native American forces. Facing defeat, Braddock is rumored to have ordered his men to bury a large cache of gold meant to pay British troops.
Braddock died soon after, and the treasure’s exact location was lost – a legend that local Jack Sullivan has been obsessed with since stumbling upon an article about it. In reality, Jack is a history expert, an amateur archeologist and a treasure hunter all at once. But Jack’s backstory is far more nuanced. Having graduated from Penn State during the great recession, Jack enlisted in the United States Navy to get help with college tuition. These days, the likable 31-year-old Penn State grad, who is slowly pursuing his master’s degree while working as an associate professor and tour guide, is starting to feel lucky.
Jack’s obsession with Braddock’s gold has already cost him the love of his life, Emma. He may not be a prisoner in the same way that Dumas’ Count of Monte Cristo was, but he’s bound by the consequences of his past choices nevertheless. As things are now, Jack is stuck on a path that isn’t impressing anyone (“you seem a bit…older for a master’s student”). Jack needs to find Braddock’s gold.
Did Emma really dump him because he wasn’t ambitious enough, or was it because she felt neglected? Had he found Braddock’s gold, would they have gotten married and lived happily ever after?
Whether readers end up warming to Emma or not, Leng injects the story with substantial emotional resonance as she prepares to see Jack for the first time since their engagement ended. With emotions still raw from their stormy breakup, she shows up unannounced shortly after Jack & his crew have discovered some new artifacts, including a cipher that points to a specific geographic area. Emma’s goal? To bring closure to Jack’s “addiction.”
Elsewhere, Leng uses snippets of historical letters and other accounts to great effect, resurrecting the events of 1755 through the words of those who lived it (“We’re to follow one of the trails to the southwest, find a secure place to protect a cache, and return to join the army in time for its march upon Fort Duquesne. Only I am to convey its final position to the General”). Numerous references to a young George Washington – when he was a mere Colonel, no less – add to the historical intrigue.
For those craving action scenes reminiscent of archeology thrillers like Indiana Jones or National Treasure, rest assured, Leng has included treacherous forests, caves, and waterfalls aplenty. But Leng is at his best when his characters are reciting pieces of the legend gleefully as if it were scripture (“one myth has it buried beneath a massive oak tree that blazes gold every autumn”). In those moments, the book does more than make history come alive – it sparks vivid imagination.
