The Navigator's Treasure

by D.C. Monahan

Past and present weave together as a centuries-old Caribbean legend comes to life on the sun-drenched beaches of modern-day Curaçao.

In the first decade of the 16th century...

a crew of Spanish conversos – Jews forced to convert to Christianity to evade the Inquisition – sail to the New World with the Great Navigator, Christopher Columbus. Their discovery of Mayan gold leads to slaughter, piracy, betrayal and a tantalizing mystery that lies unresolved until...

Five hundred years later...

when a beautiful Afro-Irish archaeologist and a small-town New England cop cross paths on the Caribbean island of Curaçao. Following a centuries-old diary written by a fated cabin boy on Columbus' third voyage, they stay one step ahead of shadowy rivals to uncover the trail of a secret society, Nazi gold – and something bigger than either saw coming.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

322 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

David and Cheryl Monahan live in a small town in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire and a remote fishing village on the western tip of the island of Curaçao.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Came upon this little gem at a book store in Willemstad while vacationing in Curacao and really liked it. For those who, like me, were unaware that many Sephardic Jews who publicly converted in order to save their lives and families from the Inquisition also later took up careers in seafaring and even piracy, this book will come as a revelation. The long history of Jewish settlement on Curacao is better known, but the tale revolves around a legendary fortune in Mayan gold supposedly hidden on the island by one of Columbus' underlings. The story crosses 500 years of history and you'll have fun sailing those seas too.

[Michelle Thiel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read it while relaxing on the beach in Curacao. Fun!

[Jeffrey S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really fun read! If you have been to Curacao or you are going to go to Curacao you will get a kick out of reading this book. The blend of a modern adventure and historical fiction works well.

[Alice Delury · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unusual and engaging new book just came my way. It’s titled The Navigator’s Treasure and is set in the island of Curacao. The central mystery involves the search for Columbus’s lost gold which myth holds he secreted there. The hero, J.J Van der Horst, a cop for 20 years from a small town in New Hampshire - a divorce and a passionless long-term relationship behind him – decides to relocate in a place that might remind him of his Netherlander roots. He randomly picks the Dutch possession of Curacao in the West Indies. If he thought he was going to enjoy a sun-struck idyll stretching on for his remaining years, he was soon disabused of this notion. Into his life drops a six-foot-tall green-eyed black woman, Professor Grainne O’Toole from Trinity College, Ireland. Her recent archival discoveries have persuaded her that Columbus’s treasure might be on Curacao. Oh, and she also happens to be piercingly beautiful.
The book is peopled with a bright range of characters – a rabbi whose ancient synagogue is unwittingly part the intrigue, a scornful Oxford University archeologist intent on preserving his reputation, a repellant woman who yearns to gather a salon of choice people about her, a ruthless land developer, some Jimmy Buffet island ‘limers’ and, of course, a murderous couple intent on getting to the treasure first. Throughout, author J.C Monahan skillfully weaves switchbacks from the fifteenth century to the present. There’s romance, excitement, humor and history, something for every reader. Go get The Navigator’s Treasure!

[Lance M Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read, kept me interested.

I read this before a trip to Curacao and loved it. A treasure hunt based in history on a beautiful Caribbean island with fascinating characters and fast moving plot - what's not to like? Wish D.C. Monahan had more books for me to read. This one definitely has me excited for my upcoming trip, will be interesting to see how my imagination of the island aligns with real thing!

[P. Jurasik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the Best Summer Reads of 2014 -- a near perfect vacation companion.

" The Navigator's Treasure " has it all and just a little more...believable contemporary characters who speak with intelligence and wit ( imagine that ?! What a joy ) in an adventurous and confounding mystery that's skillfully interwoven into a historical, eye opening and true backstory. What a ride !
This book was given to me on a four day business trip to Galveston Island -- I found it almost impossible to put down and when I did, I found myself daydreaming about getting back to D.C. Monahan's locked in characters caught up in the additively unfolding plot. I didn't get very much business done that long weekend but I sure had a ' good read. '
Do yourself a favor this summer -- Take a vacation from your vacation and spend some time with D.C. Monahan and " The Navigator's Treasure "... I'm betting you'll be glad you did. 5 stars

[Stephen Palma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having visited Curacao and reading the book, I found it so fantastic that you could easily to be with the characters and joining them in their travels. Knowing Curacao well and all the places/spots described in the book really drawn me further into the book, the plots. But even if you never been to Curacao it you went to any Island you can get the same feeling og belonging to the adventure.

I love the different plots are going along at the same time and how the author switch you to the other plot just when you wanted more. Like when I was a kid and my older brother would come into the room and changed the TV channel -- I found myself looking for free time to get back to the story and I am not a big book guy. The author's style was excellent. I highly recommend that you make an effort to get this book.

[Susan Engelmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this, the authors first novel, DC Monahan sweeps us off to Curacao in the Carribbean, a beautiful island about 40 miles North of Venezuela. This colorful tale is a very successful merging of history, mystery, and contemporary times with just the right amount of humor to give us a comfortable ride through the adventure. Shades of Michner with just a touch of Carl Hiassen thrown in. The characters are both believable and memorable, leaving us wondering what they are up to now. For anyone who loves the Carribean or even just dreams of being there, The Navigator’s Treasure is the definite magic carpet to take you there. Hoping there’s another DC Monahan Mystery in the near future.
Fred and Sue Engelmann

[Dirk Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the opportunity to preview and review “The navigator’s treasure” by David and Cheryl Monahan.
This was a pleasant treat!
It is not only an interesting adventure, but at the same time historically and culturally correct, fast spaced and well written, with just the right amount of humor and romance in between.
It is very plausible there may indeed be some treasures still hidden in the former pirate’s nest of Curaçao and this book might just help you on your way to find them!
But the real treasure is of course the island itself, very well described by this knowledgeable pair of authors.
Drs. Dirk van Haaren, in Curaçao, on my way to explore some of the places suggested by the authors. I might get lucky!

[Joseph Wesolowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having had the opportunity to spend some time in Curacao, the Navigator's Treasure is an enticing journey through its history and present day life on this Caribbean island paradise. Once you start reading, you will have no desire to stop until you finish. If you have never been to Curacao, then this story will make you want to go. If you have spent some time there, then you will wish to go back. The author provides the reader with a very engrossing storyline as well as detailed insight into the experience of actually being on the island and its many points of interest. Don't miss this one.

[Curacao Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who lives on the island of Curacao, I had sooo much fun being able to visualize the characters travelling around the island even underwater! The story line moves quickly even though there are many plot lines occurring simultaneously. I enjoyed the writer's syntax, dialogue, character and scene description. I highly recommend The Navigator's Treasure especially if you can read it on a beach on Curacao. You too can then explore the many places the book visits.

[Sue Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dave & Cheryl Monaghan have created a believable story of suspense and emotional regret. The story weaves together fiction with nonfiction as well as events of the past with the present. The authors cleverly show us what happens to a secret treasure through the centuries and create a present day adventure. I liked the different voices used to enhance the credibility of the characters in different eras. I would like to visit Curaçao!

[Dauryne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, LOVED this book! The characters are so well developed that you feel like you know them. Very intriguing story lines. The various adventures intertwine in such a way that I had a hard time putting the book down. The descriptions of the island are spot on. You can close your eyes & visualize the settings.

Put this book on your MUST READ list!

[Carol Burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a few pages to get into the story but the moment the female heroine said (in a talk to a stuffy male group of academics), "Christopher Columbus was very likely a Jew" I was hooked. It sped along the closer it got to the end and I read the last 2/3'rds in a single sitting. Can't wait for the next offering. BTW, A visit to the historical locations in Curacao is on my bucket list.

[Rhonda Wesolowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was recommended to me by a friend. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Passed it on to my husband who also loved it. To me it was a lot like the writings of Gabriel Garcia Marquez and it took me to the beautiful Caribbean while providing a thrilling storyline.

[Linda Pitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Interesting characters and compelling story set in an exotic Caribbean locale. An entertaining way to experience some of the history of the island of Curacao.

[Lawrence Colwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely done in introducing the characters in their own time frames to set the stage for the treasure hunt. Intriguing interaction leading to suspenseful conclusion. Great character development.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it and I couldn't put it down.

Wish I could spend more time with JJ and Grainne.

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very pleasant reading.
Great sphere creation of the island of Curacao; I should know, as as live in Curacao.
Really worth reading !!