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Professor David Manning #3
The Emperor's Treasure
Upon returning to New England after a long hiatus overseas, Prof. David Manning quickly finds himself involved in yet another extraordinary archaeological adventure---one 500 years in the making. Drawn into an investigation of a mysterious and brutal murder in the desert country of West Texas, his determined effort to find the perpetrators sets him on the hunt for a lost Aztec treasure beyond all imagining.
Both are inextricably entwined.
Pitted against a ruthless, multi-millionaire descendant of one of the original conquistadors---a man who will stop at nothing to gain the prize---Manning finds himself contending at every turn with an array of cold-blooded killers, all equally unwavering in their desire to see him dead.
*3rd Adventure of Professor David Manning
Both are inextricably entwined.
Pitted against a ruthless, multi-millionaire descendant of one of the original conquistadors---a man who will stop at nothing to gain the prize---Manning finds himself contending at every turn with an array of cold-blooded killers, all equally unwavering in their desire to see him dead.
*3rd Adventure of Professor David Manning
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2013
169 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 16, 2019
This is the third of Leston's "Professor manning" series, and the third that I've read. And 20 pages in, I always ask myself "Why?"
Like the Detective Hiroshi stories, it's Dan Brownian, which makes for a fun read, but the proof-reading, and sometimes the actual writing, can be abysmal. To be fair, I bought the Kindle edition over two years ago, and maybe some corrections have been made (there is an update available). But "bi-product"? "Sinco de Mayo"? "there mutual attraction for one another"? (there <--> their? Seriously?)
Lots more sloppy editing: "the most probably answer," "he parked well from away from the few cars," "upon that insightful stratagem that his descendants had built upon," "could provide only marginally results," and more.
And then there were the poorly-worded things:
"David sat in one of the padded chairs across the desk..." What was the chair doing across the desk?
"Seven years younger than him at the time of their marriage..." And now?
"Exactly what costs had incurred for Ted to negotiated the loan of one of these three was a question that David hadn't asked." And I can see why!
Okay, maybe I'm a grammar Nazi. But when a reader is brought up short time and again by silly writing, it begins to interfere with the pleasure of reading. I expect more for my $2.99!
Plot, characters, etc.? Okay. It ain't Tolstoy, but a pleasant few hours' diversion.
I notice that this book is not currently available in Kindle format. The paperback is a whopping $44.76 + $28.69 shipping. DON'T DO IT.
Like the Detective Hiroshi stories, it's Dan Brownian, which makes for a fun read, but the proof-reading, and sometimes the actual writing, can be abysmal. To be fair, I bought the Kindle edition over two years ago, and maybe some corrections have been made (there is an update available). But "bi-product"? "Sinco de Mayo"? "there mutual attraction for one another"? (there <--> their? Seriously?)
Lots more sloppy editing: "the most probably answer," "he parked well from away from the few cars," "upon that insightful stratagem that his descendants had built upon," "could provide only marginally results," and more.
And then there were the poorly-worded things:
"David sat in one of the padded chairs across the desk..." What was the chair doing across the desk?
"Seven years younger than him at the time of their marriage..." And now?
"Exactly what costs had incurred for Ted to negotiated the loan of one of these three was a question that David hadn't asked." And I can see why!
Okay, maybe I'm a grammar Nazi. But when a reader is brought up short time and again by silly writing, it begins to interfere with the pleasure of reading. I expect more for my $2.99!
Plot, characters, etc.? Okay. It ain't Tolstoy, but a pleasant few hours' diversion.
I notice that this book is not currently available in Kindle format. The paperback is a whopping $44.76 + $28.69 shipping. DON'T DO IT.
December 20, 2016
Book Review
The book was interesting and I ENJOYED IT. The one criticism I have is the author needs to brush up on his weapons lingo. A Block is not a revolver. It is a semi automatic pistol. The difference being that a revolver which he called the Block several times, is loaded either one bullet at a time or with a speed loader. An automatic pistol is loaded with a magazine
The book was interesting and I ENJOYED IT. The one criticism I have is the author needs to brush up on his weapons lingo. A Block is not a revolver. It is a semi automatic pistol. The difference being that a revolver which he called the Block several times, is loaded either one bullet at a time or with a speed loader. An automatic pistol is loaded with a magazine
August 27, 2017
Inca Gold!
A wonderfully tense story connecting past and present. The story begins over 500 years ago with a young man leading a huge caravan of gold artifacts to safety from invading Spanish conquistadors. Then current day heroes arrive to save the treasure and a young girl from conquerors again. Terrific read.
A wonderfully tense story connecting past and present. The story begins over 500 years ago with a young man leading a huge caravan of gold artifacts to safety from invading Spanish conquistadors. Then current day heroes arrive to save the treasure and a young girl from conquerors again. Terrific read.
May 14, 2019
Pretty good. Definitely needed better editing. It was written as if an English professor wrote it but then tried to liven it up with some street talk at certain points. Would have been better to just be written as a normal person would speak. I would have liked an explanation on how and when Ruiz found all the gold. That was the crux of the mystery and it was left out.
June 3, 2021
A nice entry to the series
The plot is good, the characters well formed, and the tension is just right ... but the writing isn't up to Leston's past standard. There are so many bad or odd word choices, misspellings and other typos, and poor or illogical details that I found myself frequently distracted from the story.
The plot is good, the characters well formed, and the tension is just right ... but the writing isn't up to Leston's past standard. There are so many bad or odd word choices, misspellings and other typos, and poor or illogical details that I found myself frequently distracted from the story.
October 9, 2017
Fast moving and thrilling story
The author has written an exciting story of greed and the effects it has on those involved. Sure to keep you interested in the story as well as entertained.
The author has written an exciting story of greed and the effects it has on those involved. Sure to keep you interested in the story as well as entertained.
March 26, 2022
The Emperor's Treasure
From beginning to end a non-stop action packed story. A tale of eternal greed, no matter the time period. Wonderful characters and descriptive scenery. Highly recommend! Looking forward to the next book in this series.
From beginning to end a non-stop action packed story. A tale of eternal greed, no matter the time period. Wonderful characters and descriptive scenery. Highly recommend! Looking forward to the next book in this series.
August 13, 2017
Might have been better if my version of the Kindle book didn't have so many spelling mistakes.
January 16, 2018
Typos and missing words made me stop reading 3% in.
June 15, 2018
Not great and not bad, action story about lost gold.
May 17, 2022
What an interesting way to spin a story, yet again leaving the reader to imagine what goes on between some of the scenes set out before you. Loved the story.
October 21, 2016
Great read
Good characters and interesting plot. I could not put it down. I loved the ancient Mexico history aspect of the story.
Good characters and interesting plot. I could not put it down. I loved the ancient Mexico history aspect of the story.
November 18, 2017
I was really liked this book until a main character did a transformation from a thoughtful intellectual
agent of the law to a foul mouthed jerk. It was enough to distract this reader from a active finale. I thought up to the final 1/4 of the book Mr Leston was careful and thoughtful with his language, but somewhere decided he needed to up his book movie rating. I will not be in a hurry to read more of this series.
agent of the law to a foul mouthed jerk. It was enough to distract this reader from a active finale. I thought up to the final 1/4 of the book Mr Leston was careful and thoughtful with his language, but somewhere decided he needed to up his book movie rating. I will not be in a hurry to read more of this series.
September 28, 2016
Wow that was truly an enjoyable read! The characters were described in such a way that you felt like you knew them. The tension, the expectation, the wondering what was going to happen next kept me on the edge of my seat. It reminds me of Dan Brown's books but still distinctively its own. This is a book that you don't want to miss! Get ready for an intense ride!
September 20, 2016
Another "who dunnit" treasure quest, this one set in the desolation of western Texas. The story starts in the 16th century as Cortez and the Spanish conquistadors ravage the Aztec empire, but the Aztec treasure trove eludes him. Fast forward to the present, the apparent discovery of the treasure and it's surreptitious recovery, results in a brutal murder of an archaeological student. Factor in a corrupt sheriff, an even more corrupt diplomat, and some greedy bankers in Switzerland, and there is the potential for a lot of mayhem. Prof. David Manning utilizes modern day technology to help unravel the mystery and tie up all the loose ends.
October 2, 2016
I tend to be a sucker for stories involving the Aztecs or Mayans, fascinating cultures, and sure--we hear the legends about the outrageous riches. In this clever plot, the treasure is whisked away before the Spanish conquistadors can complete their siege. The flashbacks to the young map maker give us a refreshing peak into the scenario explaining how the current circumstances have evolved. Unfortunately for a young archeological student bent on following his (native) sweetheart's ancient map, he gets a little too close. Following his brutal murder, his extremely wealthy grandparents enlist the aid of long time friend and pseudo-son, Prof. David Manning, who promises to look into a death summarily dismissed by the local (crooked) sheriff as a drug deal gone bad. Prof. Manning proves to be a pit bull, not only in his dogged effort at digging out the truth, but then setting up the dog fight that ends in the rescue of the young man's lover as well as the recovery of riches. Manning enjoys the help of the interim deputy after the death of the sheriff as the bad guys will stop at nothing to cover their tracks and protect their cache. I thought the story flowed well enough to keep my attention and turning pages, but as has been noted before, this book is full of typos and other edit problems. The deputy was fleshed out well and very empathetic; less so Manning. Dialogue was fairly believable though the language began slipping later into the book making it necessary to step over the ca-ca. Recommended quick escapist read.
December 31, 2015
Another exciting one for Leston!
This is the fourth book of Daniel Leston's I have read in about as many weeks. (I have to admit I have more hours in a day than most to read because I am on medical disability, however I have always gobbled up books!) This latest book was a fast paced exciting read, too! I enjoyed this one a great deal as I am really fascinated with Aztec and Mayan history, as well as the history of other Natives in the Americas. I have been to multiple sites of ruins in Central America. I grew up hearing legends because I live in the west and have been to many petroglyphs and pictoglyphs (not certain of spelling on this one) cites as well.
This story was well written with just the right amount of detail (not too many details like my review is so it becomes boring, sorry). The characters are well developed and very pivotal to the story. I personally missed the "David and Elizabeth" duo doing the investigating, however, the addition of a new female character completed the plot and story line very well.
This is the fourth book of Daniel Leston's I have read in about as many weeks. (I have to admit I have more hours in a day than most to read because I am on medical disability, however I have always gobbled up books!) This latest book was a fast paced exciting read, too! I enjoyed this one a great deal as I am really fascinated with Aztec and Mayan history, as well as the history of other Natives in the Americas. I have been to multiple sites of ruins in Central America. I grew up hearing legends because I live in the west and have been to many petroglyphs and pictoglyphs (not certain of spelling on this one) cites as well.
This story was well written with just the right amount of detail (not too many details like my review is so it becomes boring, sorry). The characters are well developed and very pivotal to the story. I personally missed the "David and Elizabeth" duo doing the investigating, however, the addition of a new female character completed the plot and story line very well.
January 14, 2017
I've had a dry spell in adventure books, but finally this one came along. I discovered this was Book 3 of the David Manning, Archaeologist series. However, it was a good read about an archaeologist and a sheriff who are teamed together to solve a murder that has Mayan antiquities thrown in and a decent story line. I will definitely go back and read the first two books by this same author.
September 22, 2016
Adventure
The scenes are well written, you can almost feel them. Characters were great but his wife was written in but had a small part. I'd like to have read about her as a stronger character.
The scenes are well written, you can almost feel them. Characters were great but his wife was written in but had a small part. I'd like to have read about her as a stronger character.
September 23, 2016
Excellently intriguing
Well thought-out plot of a secret robbery of Aztec treasure. The unexpected and unexplained death of a young friend starts an investigation that gets very complicated right from the start. Clever plans reveal what began hundreds of years ago. Great story.!
Well thought-out plot of a secret robbery of Aztec treasure. The unexpected and unexplained death of a young friend starts an investigation that gets very complicated right from the start. Clever plans reveal what began hundreds of years ago. Great story.!
October 10, 2016
Fascinating
This page-turner kept me intrigued from start to finish. Well-written, solid characterization, and excellent pacing. A few mysteries are solved, with many surprises along the way. Very enjoyable read.
This page-turner kept me intrigued from start to finish. Well-written, solid characterization, and excellent pacing. A few mysteries are solved, with many surprises along the way. Very enjoyable read.
October 31, 2016
Action, History, and Storyline
The storyline is outstanding... you will find you self researching the history of the Aztecs and their defeat by the Spanish. The plot and characters are cleverly created to keep you alert all thru the read.
The storyline is outstanding... you will find you self researching the history of the Aztecs and their defeat by the Spanish. The plot and characters are cleverly created to keep you alert all thru the read.
December 5, 2016
This is the third book in the series but the first one I read. It has a couple of references to the first two books but in no way stops you from enjoying this one. I will be looking into the first two and there is a fourth one out too.
September 23, 2016
Thrilling
Page turner! Reasonably good plot with a lot of action and excitement. A Clive Cussler type adventure--on dry land. Enjoy.
Page turner! Reasonably good plot with a lot of action and excitement. A Clive Cussler type adventure--on dry land. Enjoy.
September 26, 2016
Excellent book!
Very good reading. A little far out but an exceptional well written to hold ones attention. Makes you want to learn more of Aztec history. E
Very good reading. A little far out but an exceptional well written to hold ones attention. Makes you want to learn more of Aztec history. E
September 27, 2016
Loved the whole story.
What intrigue going in this whole story. Every twist and turns of this story is amazing. Even though sad in parts it did end a happy one.
What intrigue going in this whole story. Every twist and turns of this story is amazing. Even though sad in parts it did end a happy one.
October 1, 2016
A really great read!
I could not put it down till I finished it. I even took it with me to go get my pay check.
I could not put it down till I finished it. I even took it with me to go get my pay check.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews