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Joe Mason #5
The Traitor’s Gold: The gripping new action thriller novel from the million-copy bestselling author of the Matt Drake series (Joe Mason)
The gripping new action thriller novel from the million-copy bestselling author of the Matt Drake seriesEx-MI5 operative Joe Mason is on a mission to rescue a friend who has been kidnapped. Meanwhile, ancient coins – remnants of a Chinese casino buried for six hundred years – are starting to surface in Japan's clandestine underworld.
Mason knows the coins and kidnapping are linked. Someone has finally unearthed the long-buried ancient casino, and its riches – both financial and archaeological – are now up for grabs. But hidden forces are desperate to conceal the discovery and take it for themselves, kidnapping and killing to silence anyone in their path.
In a high-stakes battle to reveal the casino to the world, Joe and his team race across the region, from high-rise Hong Kong to Tokyo's bustling markets to the covert gambling rings of Osaka. But they are being hunted by elite forces – and it’s only a matter of time before the target on their back catches up with them.
In this perilous quest for the world’s oldest casino, Mason must find the site before his enemies find him. But can he unearth the secrets of the gold in time?
Mason knows the coins and kidnapping are linked. Someone has finally unearthed the long-buried ancient casino, and its riches – both financial and archaeological – are now up for grabs. But hidden forces are desperate to conceal the discovery and take it for themselves, kidnapping and killing to silence anyone in their path.
In a high-stakes battle to reveal the casino to the world, Joe and his team race across the region, from high-rise Hong Kong to Tokyo's bustling markets to the covert gambling rings of Osaka. But they are being hunted by elite forces – and it’s only a matter of time before the target on their back catches up with them.
In this perilous quest for the world’s oldest casino, Mason must find the site before his enemies find him. But can he unearth the secrets of the gold in time?
- GenresAction
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 6, 2024
114 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
David Leadbeater
90 books1,104 followersInternational bestselling author of twenty one thrillers, thirteen in the Matt Drake Action/Adventure series, also The Disavowed and Alicia Myles series'. All available for the Amazon Kindle.
Website - www.davidleadbeater.com
Reader of multiple genres. Husband. Father of two beautiful girls, aged 5 and 7. Joss Whedon fan.
Website - www.davidleadbeater.com
Reader of multiple genres. Husband. Father of two beautiful girls, aged 5 and 7. Joss Whedon fan.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 5, 2024
"The Traitor's Gold" by David Leadbeater is the fifth installment in the Joe Mason series and a thrilling adventure that plunges readers into a world of danger, intrigue, and historical mystery. Featuring the former SAS soldier, this novel delivers an exhilarating blend of action and suspense that will keep readers hooked from the first page to the last.
Joe Mason is on a mission to rescue a kidnapped friend. Across the ocean, inside Japan’s clandestine underworld, ancient coins that once belonged to a long-buried, forgotten and one of the oldest Chinese casinos have emerged, making waves for their archaeological and financial value. Behind the trail of these coins are unknown forces who are keen to stash away the secret of its location for themselves, and they will do anything to anyone who comes in their path. While Joe Mason quickly rescues his friend, he soon realizes that he and his team are embroiled in a deep battle to save themselves from these nefarious forces, who are on a close trail and will leave no stone unturned to silence them. As Mason and his team embark on a perilous journey through Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka’s gambling dens to uncover a legendary treasure linked to the traitors of history, will they be able to nail down their formidable adversaries and uncover the long-buried secrets?
The plot of "The Traitor's Gold" is intricately crafted, with Leadbeater skillfully weaving together historical elements and fast-paced action.
The supporting characters are equally well-developed, especially Roxy and Quaid, and so does Sally, who has a pivotal role in joining the dots to uncover the location of the lost treasure
Leadbeater's writing style is engaging, with sharp dialogue and descriptive prose that brings the settings to life. From ancient ruins to modern-day cities, the locations are depicted with meticulous detail, enhancing the immersive quality of the story.
To summarize, "The Traitor's Gold" by David Leadbeater is a must-read for fans of action-adventure and historical thrillers. Joe Mason's adventures have certainly captivated me, and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
Joe Mason is on a mission to rescue a kidnapped friend. Across the ocean, inside Japan’s clandestine underworld, ancient coins that once belonged to a long-buried, forgotten and one of the oldest Chinese casinos have emerged, making waves for their archaeological and financial value. Behind the trail of these coins are unknown forces who are keen to stash away the secret of its location for themselves, and they will do anything to anyone who comes in their path. While Joe Mason quickly rescues his friend, he soon realizes that he and his team are embroiled in a deep battle to save themselves from these nefarious forces, who are on a close trail and will leave no stone unturned to silence them. As Mason and his team embark on a perilous journey through Hong Kong, Tokyo and Osaka’s gambling dens to uncover a legendary treasure linked to the traitors of history, will they be able to nail down their formidable adversaries and uncover the long-buried secrets?
The plot of "The Traitor's Gold" is intricately crafted, with Leadbeater skillfully weaving together historical elements and fast-paced action.
The supporting characters are equally well-developed, especially Roxy and Quaid, and so does Sally, who has a pivotal role in joining the dots to uncover the location of the lost treasure
Leadbeater's writing style is engaging, with sharp dialogue and descriptive prose that brings the settings to life. From ancient ruins to modern-day cities, the locations are depicted with meticulous detail, enhancing the immersive quality of the story.
To summarize, "The Traitor's Gold" by David Leadbeater is a must-read for fans of action-adventure and historical thrillers. Joe Mason's adventures have certainly captivated me, and I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.
December 18, 2024
This is book five in the series featuring Joe Mason and his team, as they search for the remains of a Chinese casino, buried in the Gobi desert by an earthquake in the fifteenth century, reputed to contain a massive haul of treasure. Luciane, and old friend of Quaid’s who had been researching the subject, has been kidnapped from her home in Dublin by a shadowy group of mercenaries, willing to destroy anyone in their path, determined to be the first to discover the location and the treasure.
The characters are what make this series so readable. They have a historical mystery to solve, different in each book, but it is how they adapt to the dangerous situations they face that keep readers coming back for more. They all have different skills that together make them a force to be reckoned with. There is a lot of travel involved as their search takes them Their search takes them from Ireland to Hongkong, Japan and the US as they close in on their target, trying to stay one step ahead of the SED.
The Traitor’s Gold is a fast-paced action thriller with a historical mystery at its heart that will keep you up all night reading just one more chapter. While part of a series, you could read this as a standalone. I have only read the first two books, but had no trouble following the narrative. I have the next one already lined up on my kindle. Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
The characters are what make this series so readable. They have a historical mystery to solve, different in each book, but it is how they adapt to the dangerous situations they face that keep readers coming back for more. They all have different skills that together make them a force to be reckoned with. There is a lot of travel involved as their search takes them Their search takes them from Ireland to Hongkong, Japan and the US as they close in on their target, trying to stay one step ahead of the SED.
The Traitor’s Gold is a fast-paced action thriller with a historical mystery at its heart that will keep you up all night reading just one more chapter. While part of a series, you could read this as a standalone. I have only read the first two books, but had no trouble following the narrative. I have the next one already lined up on my kindle. Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
June 20, 2024
Joe and the others from Quest are back and there in for a bit of whirlwind adventure! They are on the hunt for a mysterious ancient Chinese Casino. Their only lead are a handful of old coins and the bloody trail they have left across the world.
From England to Japan to the USA and China - our plucky band of misfits are determined to outwit (and out muscle) the latest bunch of baddies. The SED are completely horrific and could be the worst in humanity that Joe and the others have had to face so far!
We get to meet another of Quaid's paramours - that man really is the love 'em and leave 'em type. Roxy is still my favourite of the squad I think, she's just a powerful woman, unafraid to use her strength and willing to do whatever needs to be done to quell the baddies. But that woman has some major demons and I don't know if she'll ever outrun them.
I really do hope we'll see more Luciane and Anya!
From England to Japan to the USA and China - our plucky band of misfits are determined to outwit (and out muscle) the latest bunch of baddies. The SED are completely horrific and could be the worst in humanity that Joe and the others have had to face so far!
We get to meet another of Quaid's paramours - that man really is the love 'em and leave 'em type. Roxy is still my favourite of the squad I think, she's just a powerful woman, unafraid to use her strength and willing to do whatever needs to be done to quell the baddies. But that woman has some major demons and I don't know if she'll ever outrun them.
I really do hope we'll see more Luciane and Anya!
September 23, 2024
Once again, we on the pursuit of ancient artifacts that need protecting. This time from an underground gang searching for a lost ‘casino’ when ancient coins are unearthed.
It’s a typical Joe Mason story - packed full of action and adventure sequences and complimented by an intriguing history lesson. This terrific cast of well-rounded characters really helps propel the action forward, even if the big bad wasn’t quite as compelling as previous entries it’s a lovely form of escapism. Welcome to Mason’s brand of adrenaline-fuelled fun, you’ll want to stay for more.
It’s a typical Joe Mason story - packed full of action and adventure sequences and complimented by an intriguing history lesson. This terrific cast of well-rounded characters really helps propel the action forward, even if the big bad wasn’t quite as compelling as previous entries it’s a lovely form of escapism. Welcome to Mason’s brand of adrenaline-fuelled fun, you’ll want to stay for more.
July 9, 2024
When ex MI5 operative Joe Mason finds a link between some ancient Chinese casino and the kidnapping of a friend, he knows that he's up against a high stakes race to find the world's oldest casino.
This was an enjoyable action and adventure read. It had good pace and interesting characters that kept the reader hooked on the story. Overall another good addition to the Joe Mason series.
This was an enjoyable action and adventure read. It had good pace and interesting characters that kept the reader hooked on the story. Overall another good addition to the Joe Mason series.
February 5, 2025
This fifth instalment in the series was another entertaining ride! It had a touch of James Bond flair that added a new and exciting dimension to the story. The change in angle kept me easily engaged, and I found myself fully immersed in this world with these brilliant characters. I can't wait to see where the next book takes us!
June 6, 2024
And breathe. A white knuckle ride of an action adventure thriller. Join Joe Mason and his team on another mission to Ireland and the far east. Plenty of action as you'd expect from this author. Thanks to Avon books UK and Netgalley for a review ARC.
July 5, 2024
Action&adventure, the most ancient casino and stolen relics: a fast paced and action packed story that kept me hooked and turning pages
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 29, 2024
I am a huge fan of Clive Cussler’s books, and was sure no other writer could match him. I was wrong! This book was so fast-paced, action-packed and filled with danger that I realized I had tightened every muscle in my body by the end.
July 24, 2024
Brilliant
Another fantastic read full of action beginning to end thoroughly enjoyed. Can't wait for the next instalment from David leadbeater
Another fantastic read full of action beginning to end thoroughly enjoyed. Can't wait for the next instalment from David leadbeater
August 12, 2024
Similar to other thrillers.
September 25, 2024
Great book
Great book !more action than a ton of books author knows how to write an action novel can't wait until the next one
Great book !more action than a ton of books author knows how to write an action novel can't wait until the next one
April 25, 2025
Good read
A little formulaic at times, but enjoyable nonetheless. Enjoy the historical locales and the geographic details. Will continue reading the series.
A little formulaic at times, but enjoyable nonetheless. Enjoy the historical locales and the geographic details. Will continue reading the series.
July 7, 2025
It took me a bit of time to get into hit overall I really ended it. The book opens up more storylines with a new villainous group SED
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2025
CC1
This was excellent book. Mason and his team followed every clue to the end. Shadow kings ended up greedy and dead. Excellent adventure!!!! 10 stars plus!!! Thanks Carl Clause
This was excellent book. Mason and his team followed every clue to the end. Shadow kings ended up greedy and dead. Excellent adventure!!!! 10 stars plus!!! Thanks Carl Clause
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June 29, 2024This was an interesting read, a good story, and I liked the characters.
The varied locations were a plus, and the writing was well done.
I only dropped a star as I felt that some of the descriptions were repetitive
The varied locations were a plus, and the writing was well done.
I only dropped a star as I felt that some of the descriptions were repetitive
November 10, 2025
Good history adventure where the team are running after leads in various countries to try and find a lost treasure.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews