A Whisper of Danger

Treasures of the Heart #2

by Catherine Palmer

Jessica Thornton is ready for a fresh start for herself and her irrepressible son, Splinter. An unexpected, unusual inheritance—a remote island mansion—seems like the opportunity of a lifetime. But when she arrives, she stumbles into a dangerous web of deception, greed, and murder. Even worse, she runs into the one person she never wanted to lay eyes on again: her long-lost husband, the man who coldly deserted her before their son was born. And the request he makes of her threatens to shake the very foundation of her life. . . .
Formerly published as The Treasure of Zanzibar.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Contemporary, Mystery, Adult, Adventure

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Catherine Palmer lives in Atlanta with her husband, Tim, where they serve as missionaries in a refugee community. They have two grown sons. Cathy is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. Since then she has published over 50 novels, many of them national best sellers. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. In 2004, she was given the Career Achievement Award for Inspirational Romance by "Romantic Times" magazine. More than 2 million copies of Catherine's novels are currently in print. The Author's Work With her compelling characters and strong message of Christian faith, Catherine is known for writing fiction that "touches the hearts and souls of readers." Her many collections include A Town Called Hope, Treasures of the Heart, Finders Keepers, English Ivy, and the Miss Pickworth series. Catherine also recently coauthored the Four Seasons fiction series with Gary Chapman, the "New York Times" best-selling author of "The Five Love Languages."

Reviews

[Caity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Catherine Palmer's writing style! I love that in her series she has a wonderful sense of continuity, but not repetitiveness (both in plot and characters) -there is a difference; one is appreciated, the other is annoying. Haha ;)

I absolutely love the setting! A huge -and inherited- mansion full of masterpieces and mystery tucked away in the thick jungle undergrowth of a tiny village in Zanzibar, East Africa - with a clear, refreshingly safe and inviting lagoon right out back. (That just so happens to be the burial site of an 1800's shipwreck.)

Just as with the first book in this series, the character development and eventual growth is brilliant- and realistic. There was quite the range of characters, too! Jessica Thornton, our heroine- sister of Tillie from Kiss of Adventure- is the "single" mom of highly intelligent and highly adventurous ten-year-old Splinter; a bit paranoid over him and their well being, Jess is a bit of a work-worn and starving- though talented- artist.
In steps the hero of our story- marine archaeologist Rick McTaggert- who also just so happens to be the long lost husband of, you guessed it, Jessie Thornton.
Jessie- for her son's good as well as her own- must learn to let go of her bitterness, forgive, and ultimately rely on God for all of her needs- which includes a deeper relationship with Him.

The pace of the story was perfect; not confusingly fast, but definitely not too slow, either. Everything moved along nicely, with each situation getting resolved in good time with no loose strings.
The ending was rather abrupt yet extremely peaceful. Here the story has been going along with inner (as well as outer) turmoil with issues regarding trust, bitterness, confusion, fear- not to mention the fact that someone in your midst is potentially a threat to your life and you can't for the world figure out who! (Another absolutely brilliant factor to this story, I might add! I never would have seen it coming.) Then, all of a sudden, everything comes to light...everything is resolved...everyone is safe...and all you had to do was trust, and put everything in God's hands. Even as I was reading the last chapter of this book I had no idea how everything was going to come together, and then, before I knew it, it had. I've never read an ending pieced together this way- almost too easy, but so satisfying. Genius.
Each aspect of the story-line went hand-in-hand with Jessica's personal life, giving the reader a good feel for what she was going through, and strengthening you right along with her.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, easy read, perfect for vacation! Engaging, good character development and I loved the setting. The unexpected, inherited house in Africa, complete with strange, mystical servants which backs up to the ocean with a private bay so to speak with clear water with colorful reefs is a gorgeous setting! To top it off a treasure hunt for a sunken ship in the bay ensues while a murder investigation begins in the house. A husband and wife reunite unexpectedly after ten years . . . a very vibrant read set at a great pace! Hard to put down!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old house with secrets. A murder mystery. A beautifully described setting including a private beach and excavating a sunken ship. An long ago estranged husband and wife and a son unknown to the husband. The relationship between the couple evolves and reconciles. The son is at times laugh out loud funny. The story is Christ focused. Loved it!

[Puj Doo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an upgrade to those "dime novel" romances.
This a romance novel that i wouldn't blush to put on my shelf.
Beautiful compelling characters with a story that could stand on its feet without the romance, but is enhanced by it.
Fun and easy to read, wonderful for a day to just relax.

[Karen Reece · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this book so many times and each time I find something different. This book was such a page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat.

[Sandy Carmichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, Christian, romance, mystery.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not as full of adventure as the first, but a really good read.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mystery romance set in Zanzibar, Tanzania

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

4749⁹⁹and birthday 31st 26th 73 ⁶

[Jeanne Modisett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the book

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the first book in this series A Kiss of Adventure was a fun quick read. This book is different. More of a mystery, less adventure. The main character is Jessica (Tillie's sister from the first book). She and her son make a big change in there life by moving from London to Africa when Jessica is left a house there by a trusted art professor. Nothing goes as planned, and to top it off she runs into Rick McTaggert who was (and actually is still) her husband. He left her 10 years earlier and a week later she found out she was expecting a baby. Rick doesn't know about that, but has spent the last 10 years growing up, getting things in order, and looking for his wife. I'm always a sucker for second chance romances and this one fit the bill. It is a Christian romance and as such there are strong elements of conversion along with themes of forgiveness and repentance and honesty. But I think the story stands well on it's own. I love the theme of family and some of the best parts of the story is when the point of view switches to her 10 year old son Splinter. His take on how the romance between his parents is hilarious (not that he knows it's his dad yet). I was a good read and an interesting mystery though some the ending seemed to be a bit convenient in the reveal.

[Wendy Sparkes · Rating 5 out of 5]

#2 in the Treasures of the Heart series.

A newly inherited house, a murdered professor, a sunken wreck, a lot of people harbouring bitterness...& a rekindled love - all set against the wonderful backdrop of Zanzibar Island, Tanzania.

I love how Africa comes alive in this series!

#1
#3
#4

[Shantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun yet poignant story... The Treasure of Zanzibar told a touching tale of love, betrayal, danger, and forgiveness. I loved the shark-free, amazing beach in the backyard of Jessie and her son's African home, and the intrigue of ancient sunken ships and lost treasure. The miraculous appearance of a long-lost love was bittersweet, yet lovely all the same. I wasn't too delighted over the murder parts... just gives you the chills if you think of it too deeply. And there was something I bit lacking in the ending, I feel. But overall, a fantastic little tale. Not the usual. I enjoyed it, a modern romance with some interesting twists, The Treasure of Zanzibar.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica Thornton receives word that the estate of her art teacher on Zanzibar has been left to her. Not understanding why, she decides to move there with her son Spencer, nicknamed Splinter. Shortly after arriving, she encounters her estranged husband who, it turns out, is associated with a sunken ship recovery in the bay just behind the house. Jessica wants nothing to do with Rick but agrees to give him a chance to explain. What he says and asks of her shakes her to the core.
Predictable in the sense that you know all will work out in the end, but it's the getting there that makes for a good read.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slightly surreal start to this book - Jess decides to move to a remote island after being left a mansion.. and doesn't let her ten-year-old son know until they're a week from departure.

However, an exciting story follows with some romance, a 'whodunit' murder to solve, and the thrill of diving to discover a wrecked ship. The Christian content isn't too overdone, and although the characters are a bit flat, and the plot perhaps a bit unlikely, I found it hard to put down once I was half way through.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even if there were parts that seemed a little rushed, overall this is a very well-written interesting book of trusting God for whatever His plans are for your life. It makes you think about how sometimes he does do miraculous things in people's lives. I know, I know, life doesn't always turn out that sweet after abandoned marriages and single women being content for ten years without a date. But, it can happen and how nice to read it in the form of suspenseful love and family type story! Thanks, Catherine Palmer, for writing this kind of book! I read it all last night before bed.

[Ann Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Whisper of Danger, a tale of reconciliation, is my favorite Palmer title. Romance, intrigue, faith, hero on a motorcycle, and an irrepressible kid--this book has it all. Palmer is heartwarming always, but this book got under my skin in a good way. I read it years ago and still remember the reconciliation scene.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like Catherine Palmer's work in general. This particular book again is part of her adventure line and I am not an adventure fan. Good story line as far as relationships and I like her characters. I can relate to some of the dilemmas they faced. But diving for buried treasure just not a draw for me. I did like it better than book 1 in the series though.

[Hannah Waeni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of reconciliation and hope. It felt right at home when the author gave descriptions of Zanzibar, Kenya and Tanzania even mentioning the Kikuyu and Kamba ethnic groups from Kenya. I come from the Kamba ethnic group! I feel she researched well the background. I love Mama Hannah's character, steadfast yet fragile... so relatable with my own grandmother.

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this years ago, so I don't remember it, except that I thought it was exciting at the time. But it's probably one of those shallow in the romance department, so I'm giving it two or three stars.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series, but this is probably my least favorite of the three books. The characters seemed less believeable, and less likable. The end seemed wrapped up a little too nicely.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one better than the first one.

[Aerykah]

I remember that I really like this book, but it's been so long since I read it... I really need to read it again.

[L Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Easy reading. Has reminders of how to see God in all things. Author keeps events interesting and descriptive.

[Abigail Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!!! Loved it!!!

[Monica Emtman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was a pretty entertaining book. There were some parts that seemed forced or redundant. Liked the concept of an estranged husband winning back his wife because he's changed.

[Caroline Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

TOO MUCH christian chat.....boring but for someone who is a christian....they would appreciate....quite a good story tho if you take aweay all the christian yakk

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of 4
*Very good

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the fact that this book has some Kiswahili in it.
It is quite the story on overcoming anger and bitterness and forgiving oneself and others.

[Mary Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book because of the setting--a mysterious house in Zanzibar and the plot--the murder of a wealthy man.