Gold of Kings by Davis Bunn, a Mysterious Review.

Review: Davis Bunn takes the reader on an extraordinary adventure mystery with Gold of Kings, introducing three memorable characters on a quest, seeking a cache of sacred artifacts.

It was the dream of Sean Syrrell, a wealthy dealer in arts and antiques, to find a treasure that would be the discovery of his life. When he realizes he's been marked for death, he arranges the meeting of three people he believes can complete his life mission. He contacts Emma Webb, an attorney as well as an agent with the Treasury Department, and instructs her to give an envelope containing a key to his granddaughter, Storm. The key is to his bank vault, in which are stored important papers as well as instructions to follow upon his death. He then asks his good friend Harry Bennett, an old dog treasure hunter, to protect Storm, who may be in as much danger as Syrrell. When Syrrell dies and the three meet, they know they are looking for a treasure, but what is it? Their only answer they're given is, that they'll know it when they find it.

The author does a wonderful job introducing conflict and uncertainty within the trio. Harry is certain they will be successful, though isn't sure exactly what that will ultimately mean. Storm is confident of her own abilities as dealer of antiquities, but has lived in the shadow of her great uncle. Will she be able to live up to his expectations? And though Emma is an outsider here, she really wants to participate in the journey. Her job as a Federal agent, though, gives the others pause; is she committed to working with them, or is she secretly participating on behalf of the US — or some other — government?

There is much more here to recommend. The settings, from Florida to London and Paris to Cyprus, are beautifully depicted. The plot, combining ancient history in a modern fictional story, compares favorably with the best thrillers. Gold of Kings is a remarkable novel, and is highly recommended.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Gold of Kings.

Acknowledgment: Simon & Schuster provided a copy of Gold of Kings for this review.

Gold of Kings
Howard Books (Hardcover), June 2009
ISBN-13: 9781416556312; ISBN-10: 1416556311

Gold of Kings

A Storm Syrrell and Harry Bennett Mystery by Davis Bunn