Hidden Gem: The Secret of St. Augustine

M. S. Spencer

Apr 2022 · The Wild Rose Press Inc

About this ebook

Barnaby and Philo’s story begins with very bad chili and a dead body. Barnaby is in St. Augustine, Florida, to teach a college seminar, and plans to use The Secret—a treasure hunt book—as a framework for his class. He enlists Philo Brice, owner of an antique map store, to aid him in seeking clues in the historic sites of the ancient city. Together they face murderers, thieves, thugs, and fanatics, heightening their already strong attraction to each other. Can they solve the puzzle and unearth the treasure before the villains do? Philo and Barnaby pursue several twisting paths and false leads before arriving at a startling conclusion.

Ratings and reviews

Florida, adventure, treasure-hunt, mystery, myths/legends, verbal-humor, situational-humor, misdirection, professor, antiques, small-business, bookseller, romantic***** It had me at the cover picturing a background of a crossword puzzle (I geek NYT crosswords). Barnaby (whose conversations are a crossword junkies dream) takes his students on a hunt to solve the riddle of the casques found in The Secret (a treasure hunt book) relating to a treasure hunt for a hidden sapphire in St Augustine, Florida. Philo runs a bookstore and the two have a history and an interest in each other. All of the zany characters had me snurfling and guffawing throughout. The whole thing is great fun with an interesting mystery to follow as best as possible. I requested and received a free e-book copy from The Wild Rose Press, Inc via NetGalley. Thank you!

About the author

Librarian, anthropologist, Congressional aide, speechwriter--M. S. Spencer has lived or traveled in five of the seven continents. She holds a BA from Vassar College, a diploma in Arabic Studies from the American University in Cairo, and Masters in Anthropology and in Library Science from the University of Chicago. All of this tends to insinuate itself into her works.Ms. Spencer has published thirteen romantic suspense and mystery novels. She has two fabulous grown children and an incredible granddaughter and currently divides her time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.