The Trojan Treasure Conspiracy - A Clayton Lovell Stone Adventure

by Bruce Hutchison

With time running out, Clayton Lovell Stone must rally a band of allies, dodging mercenaries and high-tech traps to expose the horrors of a genetic-manipulation nightmare.

Did Heinrich Schliemann actually discover Helen of Troy’s famous golden necklace and the ancient Trojan treasure near the Dardanelles in Turkey in 1872? And, if he did, what did he do with it? Where is it now? When a friend of Clayton Lovell Stone is brutally murdered, Stone follows the trail of a shadowy treasure collector offering gene manipulation to the highest bidder, a dark secret that could reshape humanity. The project’s ruthless leader will do anything to silence Stone, including turning him into a specimen for experimentation.

Clayton Lovell Stone, former FBI Art and Artifacts investigator, quits the agency in disgust to open a restaurant in Annapolis, Maryland, overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. But when he reluctantly concedes that he’s addicted to the danger and excitement of the chase, he takes on private art and antiquities investigations to keep his mind sharp and his adrenaline flowing. Each Clayton Lovel Stone action-adventure mystery thriller series takes you on a thrilling ride across a series of historical events to unravel and solve historical mysteries in a present-day, action-adventure series.

Genres: Historical Thriller

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story and characters. The pacing was good.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging

This adventure kept me hooked from start to finish. The author weaves together past and present in a helpful way - the jumps between different time periods worked for me. While I enjoyed the contemporary mystery elements, the historical layers added real depth and kept me turning pages. The violence scattered throughout the book, serves the story and helps drive the narrative. The main characters are engaging, and tracking the legendary treasure alongside them felt genuinely exciting. A solid, entertaining read for anyone who enjoys history mixed with modern thrills.

[Elen Lay · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, The Trojan Treasure Conspiracy delivers everything a great historical conspiracy thriller should: crisp, vivid writing, richly drawn archaeological settings, and a modern-day mystery that keeps you turning pages. With his strong protagonist - the sharp and charismatic investigator Clayton Lovell Stone - Hutchison blends the elegance of ancient history (the legendary search for Helen of Troy’s golden necklace and the fabled Trojan treasure) with pulse-pounding current-day action and intrigue.

What impressed me most was how well the author handled the dual timelines: the historical hunt for lost artifacts near the Dardanelles in 1872, and a contemporary stolen-art/antiquities chase where the stakes feel high and real. The prose is confident and immersive, the atmosphere evocative of dusty dig sites, hidden chambers and clandestine meetings. The modern thriller elements - danger, betrayal, ambition - are tightly woven into the historical backbone, making the story feel both grounded and epic.
Clayton Lovell Stone is a protagonist you want to follow - he has insight, grit and intelligence, and Hutchison gives him a strong narrative arc that elevates the plot beyond “just another mystery”. The historical facts sprinkled throughout add delicious depth for anyone who loves archaeology, myth or ancient civilisations, while the conspiracy-thriller structure ensures the pace never flags.
In short: highly recommended if you enjoy historical thrillers with a modern twist, adventures of hidden treasures, and a hero whose investigation you’re invested in from start to finish. Five stars without hesitation!!

[Damir Salkovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art and Antiquities investigator Clayton Lovell Stone finds himself coming to the aid of an old flame in a struggle against overwhelming odds. Ruthless collectors and shadowy organizations pursue clues to the legendary lost treasure of Troy – gold and artifacts that vanished after controversial 19th-century excavations. Following a trail that spans continents and centuries, Stone must unravel both ancient mysteries and modern conspiracies to locate the priceless hoard before it falls in the wrong hands.

Bruce Hutchison delivers a rip-roaring adventure yarn squarely in the tradition of Clive Cussler and Wilbur Smith. The author's meticulous research into historical fact and archaeological speculation creates an impressively rich, layered backdrop. Perhaps a tad too rich at times. The extensive cast of characters and stretches of exposition occasionally bog down narrative momentum. When the story hits its stride, though, it genuinely thrills. The blend of historical detective work and contemporary danger is just right for readers who enjoy cerebral adventure fiction. The ending leaves threads deliberately dangling, promising future Clay Stone escapades.

A satisfying debut for treasure-hunting enthusiasts.

[James Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bruce Hutchison’s The Trojan Treasure Conspiracy is a rollicking mix of ancient mystery, modern espionage, and treasure-hunting adventure that would make even Indiana Jones sit up and take notice. Art and antiquities investigator Clayton Lovell Stone finds himself chasing clues to the legendary lost treasure of Troy — a hunt that stretches from ancient ruins to the jungles of South America, and from high-stakes museums to shadowy deep-state labs. Along the way, there’s murder, romance, and a conspiracy that blends archaeology with bioengineering in a surprisingly believable way.

The book’s real strength lies in its ambition — Hutchison clearly knows his history and uses it to great effect, grounding the plot in just enough truth to make you wonder what’s real. The pacing dips now and then under the weight of exposition and a large cast, but once the story hits its stride, it’s pure entertainment.

Clayton Stone is a fine addition to the pantheon of world-weary, quick-thinking adventurers — think Clive Cussler’s Dirk Pitt with a dash more intellect. If you enjoy thrillers that weave together myth, mystery, and modern science, The Trojan Treasure Conspiracy is a cracking read. A bit dense in places, but rich, rewarding, and absolutely worth the ride.

[Suse Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating story

“The Trojan Treasure Conspiracy” takes the reader from ancient times to the present and back again as historical information is presented. Clayton Stone is investigating lost artifacts and their connection to the murder of his friend. He is joined by an old flame, Cyn, and their relationship is developed. The reader is taken across the globe (Amazon jungle, Germany, Annapolis, etc) as Stone pieces together the mystery of a “death mask” and its connection to human biological experimentation that continues to harm mankind.

[Samuel Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, I knew I was holding something special. Bruce Hutchison doesn’t just tell a story, he transports you through time. From ancient Greece’s blood-soaked myths to modern-day conspiracies, every scene breathes with tension and beauty. The characters feel alive, their struggles real, and the historical detail is so vivid you can almost smell the dust of Troy. Easily one of the most captivating thrillers I’ve ever read.

[Denise B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a magnificent fusion of intellect and adrenaline! This book reminded me why I fell in love with reading in the first place. The pacing is relentless, yet the writing is elegant and thoughtful. Hutchison paints history with a modern brush, weaving in archaeology, mythology, and human passion until the lines between past and present blur completely. I finished it feeling like I’d lived a dozen lifetimes in one adventure.

[Melanie Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Trojan Treasure Conspiracy is not just a story, it’s an odyssey. The scenes set in ancient Greece are breathtaking, the historical thread through 19th-century Athens is beautifully handled, and the modern storyline explodes with danger and intrigue. Every era feels perfectly alive, and every chapter ends with a gasp. Hutchison’s storytelling is cinematic and intelligent, blending emotion, mystery, and suspense into something unforgettable.

[Dean F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down. The writing pulled me in so completely that I forgot where I was. Clayton Lovell Stone is such a compelling hero, flawed, brave, and endlessly curious. He reminds me of an old-school adventurer trapped in a modern world. The combination of history, danger, and hidden truths gives the story incredible depth. I loved every moment and already want to reread it just to catch every nuance.

[James Kelvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy stories that make your pulse race and your mind spin, this is your book. It’s full of history, danger, and intellectual puzzles that keep you guessing until the end. The writing is smooth and cinematic, the dialogue sharp, and the imagery unforgettable. Hutchison’s ability to switch timelines so seamlessly proves his mastery of craft. Truly one of the best thrillers I’ve read in years.

[Martha F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while, a book comes along that reminds you why storytelling matters, this is that book. Hutchison blends truth and fiction so cleverly that I found myself Googling events to see what was real. The suspense builds beautifully, and the emotional moments hit hard. You care deeply for the characters because they feel like real people. A stunning accomplishment that deserves every star.

[M.J. Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read for a long time. The writing is fabulous! I couldn't stop reading. The story takes you through several time frames so you have to keep track of the date at the beginning of each chapter. Clayton Lovell Stone's friend is murdered while investigating the legendary treasures of Troy and he sets about a quest to find answers. The history is fun. Loved it!
M.J. Evans -Award-winning author of the Horses in History series.

[Lydia Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s a richness in this novel that’s rare. Hutchison has an incredible gift for description, you can hear the clash of swords in the prologue, feel the desert winds in Turkey, and sense the weight of centuries pressing down on every artifact uncovered. It’s not just about treasure; it’s about legacy, obsession, and the price people pay for truth. A masterpiece of atmosphere and emotion.

[SA · Rating 4 out of 5]

globe trotting thriller

Archaeology, espionage and old school adventure. Clay Stone is a complex hero- part detective, part scholar and always one step away from disaster.
Pacing slowed occasionally but that gave the novel a rich texture. Action hits hard.

[Herbert Rosenblum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Here is a example of wonderful intricate writing. Lots of twists and turns to keep you engaged. Very entertaining. Unbelievable story.