One Man's Treasure

According to his bio, Terrance Layhew is an amateur swashbuckler, Organic Inspector, and a national man of mystery. As the host of Suit Up!, he has reviewed countless contemporary novels and interviewed numerous independent authors and publishers. His novels include Reason and Romance (2022), Prose and Procrastination (2024), and men's action-adventure novel One Man's Treasure (2024). After receiving an ARC of the latter, I climbed aboard to sail the Caribbean.

The book is presented in first-person perspective, however each chapter is from the viewpoint of either Dix or Sam, two brothers on a quest for love and money. Dix is an aggressive corporate attorney fresh off of a pivotal merger transaction. He's also a playboy, an amateur swashbuckler, and an avid gambler. Which is one of the reasons Dix is at Sam's apartment in the opening chapter.

Dix explains to Sam, a much more preserved character who is on the verge of engagement to his spunky girlfriend Amy. Over Malbec and Wellington, Dix presents an ancient treasure map, and then in his chapter, explains to the reader how he acquired the map from a poker player in a high-stakes game. 

The next day Sam collaborates with a former college classmate turned geography nerd. They learn the map may date back to 1670 and is a remnant of a rivalry between a pirate named Killian Jack and Spanish nobles over a love affair with a princess. The map suggests a treasure dubbed the Caribbean Crown is buried on a small island in the Venezuelan basin of the Caribbean. 

One Man's Treasure sets sail with Dix and Sam, fully equipped for an expedition, renting a charter and searching for the shiny goods. However, there are plenty of obstacles and shady characters thrown into the narrative to provide an entertaining and exhilarating race to the finish. With Amy on the venture, Sam's love interest is highlighted, but the really fun aspect to this action-adventure novel is the chemistry between Dix and Mallory, a woman he loves. Layhew's smooth prose introduces an underlining plot that has a great divide between the two jaded lovers that nearly steals the show.

Layhew's juggling act of romantic love affairs and stolen treasure makes for a riveting and dynamic reading experience. From modern day pirates and high stakes gambling to sword fights and gunfire, One Man's Treasure is the proverbial action-adventure pulp of the year. Get your copy HERE.