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A Rikki Talens Adventure #1
Crossbones: A Rikki Talens Adventure
Dive into the thrilling depths of "Crossbones," where the fearless and cunning Rikki Talens embarks on her most daring adventure yet. Following the whispers of history and legends, Rikki sets her sights on the long-lost treasure of the notorious pirate Gasparilla. Her journey is fraught with danger, as she navigates treacherous waters, rival treasure hunters, and the mysteries of the deep, all while unraveling the secrets of one of the most elusive bounties in pirate lore. In this gripping tale of courage, betrayal, and unimaginable discoveries, Rikki Talens will stop at nothing to unearth the truth, proving once again why she is one of the most dynamic treasure hunters of her time. Join Rikki on her quest for glory and treasure in "Crossbones," where the past and present collide in the hunt for a treasure that could change everything.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
About the author
Douglas Pratt
44 books205 followersDouglas Pratt was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He has been writing since the third grade. During high school, Douglas dabbled in short stories and poems.
Douglas graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Journalism. He lives in Mason, Tennessee, and spends his spare time on his sailboat.
Douglas graduated from the University of Memphis with a degree in Journalism. He lives in Mason, Tennessee, and spends his spare time on his sailboat.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 18, 2026
A gripping tale that kept me turning the page.
September 20, 2024
I received an ARC and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Tge story begins with Ernesto, a long distance relative of a pirate, on the phone trying yo get his business a contract for a stadium. Unfortunately, it requires a bond of $5M that he doesn't have. His family has talked of a long-lost treasure and Ernesto aims to find it.
Meanwhile Rikki has been complaining about leaving he books on the island and trying out to get them. It appears that the police are doing an investigation on that section of land on the Suwanee River. Shortly the police arrive at her boat and she convinces them to bring her to land when they ask her questions. Once she finishes with the police, she takes the evidence envelope containing her books. She leaves and winds up at a grave where a body has been uncovered. This body relates to a pirate treasure she is searching for. Digging in the grave, she discovered an object wrapped in a cloth. Noy known to Rikki, Ernesto is at the same spot and demands that Rikki hand the item over. A fight ensues, but Rikki s able to get away.
Rikki sales her boat to Key Largo where she meets up with Milo, a friemd. Again, Ernesto and his gang show up and Ernesto is once more after the item. A battle begins and Rikki fights Ernesto, but winds up losing the item. Rikki figures out the riddle and she and Sam, her bodyguard/mate, start heading to where she believes that last portion of the rod is. Ernesto has landed on an island and while watching from the top of a fort spotted Rikki and sent those other people he had with him to stop Rikki. Rikki finds the last item, but she is attacked by two of Ernesto's men. Rikki barely gets away, but Ernesto finally catches up with Rikki and takes the last section of the rod away. Ernesto then believes he knows where the treasure is.
Rikki has figured out where the treasure is as well and eventually the two meet up once more. Rikki is caught and they threaten to kill her.
To learn where the treasure was located, how Rikki made out in the end and what the real treasure was, then you need to read this book.
Tge story begins with Ernesto, a long distance relative of a pirate, on the phone trying yo get his business a contract for a stadium. Unfortunately, it requires a bond of $5M that he doesn't have. His family has talked of a long-lost treasure and Ernesto aims to find it.
Meanwhile Rikki has been complaining about leaving he books on the island and trying out to get them. It appears that the police are doing an investigation on that section of land on the Suwanee River. Shortly the police arrive at her boat and she convinces them to bring her to land when they ask her questions. Once she finishes with the police, she takes the evidence envelope containing her books. She leaves and winds up at a grave where a body has been uncovered. This body relates to a pirate treasure she is searching for. Digging in the grave, she discovered an object wrapped in a cloth. Noy known to Rikki, Ernesto is at the same spot and demands that Rikki hand the item over. A fight ensues, but Rikki s able to get away.
Rikki sales her boat to Key Largo where she meets up with Milo, a friemd. Again, Ernesto and his gang show up and Ernesto is once more after the item. A battle begins and Rikki fights Ernesto, but winds up losing the item. Rikki figures out the riddle and she and Sam, her bodyguard/mate, start heading to where she believes that last portion of the rod is. Ernesto has landed on an island and while watching from the top of a fort spotted Rikki and sent those other people he had with him to stop Rikki. Rikki finds the last item, but she is attacked by two of Ernesto's men. Rikki barely gets away, but Ernesto finally catches up with Rikki and takes the last section of the rod away. Ernesto then believes he knows where the treasure is.
Rikki has figured out where the treasure is as well and eventually the two meet up once more. Rikki is caught and they threaten to kill her.
To learn where the treasure was located, how Rikki made out in the end and what the real treasure was, then you need to read this book.
November 23, 2024
Crossbones - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
A Rikki Talens Adventure by Douglas Pratt and E.Chris Ambrose, Crossbones sees diver Rikki face off against a family of unscrupulous grifters, who will stop at nothing to cash in on her research, and claim a pirate's treasure for themselves.
Can our feisty protagonist save the day - and her own life?
Read this breath-taking, thrill-a- minute adventure by grabbing a copy of Crossbones today, to find out!
July 1, 2026
I thought that this was a disappointing read. A frenetic pace and a young rich protagonist with unlimited resources, skills, and friends with special skills. This story was not really a hunt for clues so much as a story about conflict and the consequences of violent escalation. The author pits two law breaking treasure hunters against each other and determines one is good because they have the "right" motives.
September 2, 2024
Ernesto and family set out to retrieve treasures from a ship that had gone down hundreds of years ago. Rikki and Sam on the same hunt. But who will get there first? If you like the water above and below, intense fight scenes and constant danger, then look no further because it's all here in this well researched and superbly written book. Highly recommended.
July 7, 2025
Sorry, but not worth the time
I found this boring, too much craziness, poor writing. Douglas Pratt writes great stories alone. When partnering with a co-author the attempts just don't work out. I won't waste my time on the next Rikki Talens book.
I found this boring, too much craziness, poor writing. Douglas Pratt writes great stories alone. When partnering with a co-author the attempts just don't work out. I won't waste my time on the next Rikki Talens book.
September 26, 2024
I loved this book! Well written with an attention to details, it reminded me of the DaVinci Code as Rikki pieced together the clues. And who doesn’t love a treasure hunt?
September 29, 2024
I loved this book! Mystery, intrigue, danger, and interesting characters combine for an enjoyable read. I am looking forward to reading more books in the Rikki Talens series.
July 5, 2025
An entertaining read with great plot and interesting characters.
February 22, 2026
Rikki's story was a fun one. Treasure hunters, mystery, and things that go wrong. This adventure was a good time. Kept me turning the page to see if this crew would pull of this ocean heist.
March 21, 2026
Great Read
I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.
I throughly enjoyed this book. It had a good story line and kept me interested throughout the entire story. I recommend reading this book.
February 18, 2026
I couldn't put this book down from page 1. The action and danger is non-stop. Rikki is a strong FMC that is easy to root for, and the antagonists are the kind of people that make you cheer when they get what is coming to them. Pirate treasure, old lore, ancient ruins and artifacts, and non-stop action. I couldn't get enough and read it in one day!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews