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A Dead Man's Legacy
In the small town of Elk Hollow, Geocaching has been banned. Most people have forgotten about Geocaching, including Dan Sumner, a teenager who had no idea what was going to transpire over his Summer vacation.
When a new "Geocache" is listed in the area. Dan seeks it out without much thought. He soon realizes that the cache owner is dangerous and is planning something big.
Dan seeks out some others to help him track down the Geocache and stop the cache owner before he carries out his plan. When he doesn't have much luck, it is clear that it is up to him to find the cache. What is A Dead Man's Legacy, where will it lead Dan, and what does it have to do with him?
When a new "Geocache" is listed in the area. Dan seeks it out without much thought. He soon realizes that the cache owner is dangerous and is planning something big.
Dan seeks out some others to help him track down the Geocache and stop the cache owner before he carries out his plan. When he doesn't have much luck, it is clear that it is up to him to find the cache. What is A Dead Man's Legacy, where will it lead Dan, and what does it have to do with him?
280 pages, Hardcover
Published August 29, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 13, 2026
As a fellow indie author, I went into A Dead Man’s Legacy with a mix of curiosity and cautious optimism, and I came out genuinely impressed.
First off, the premise alone is such a smart hook. Using geocaching as the backbone for a thriller isn’t something you see every day, and it works incredibly well here. The opening chapters, especially Dan discovering the mysterious cache and being warned off by another cacher, pull you in fast and don’t really let go . There’s this steady sense of “something isn’t right” that builds in a really effective, almost cinematic way.
What stood out to me most, though, is how readable and grounded the writing feels. That’s something I pay attention to as an indie author, because it’s easy to either overcomplicate prose or under-develop it. This hits a really nice middle ground. The dialogue feels natural (like actual teenagers talking, not overly polished versions of them), and the pacing keeps things moving without feeling rushed.
Dan is a solid anchor for the story. He’s curious, a little impulsive, and believable in the way he keeps pushing forward even when things get clearly dangerous. The early twist with the missing memories and the discovery in the cache (no spoilers, but you’ll know it when you hit it) is a strong turning point, it shifts the story from “interesting mystery” into something much darker and more high-stakes very quickly .
From a craft perspective, I also really appreciated how the author builds tension through small details, like the repeated warnings, the strange behavior of the cache owner, and the creeping realization that this isn’t just a game. Those layers add up in a way that feels intentional and well thought out.
If I had one small critique (and this is coming from a place of respect), there are moments where tightening the prose or pushing a bit deeper into emotional reactions could elevate certain scenes even more. But honestly, that’s a minor note in what is otherwise a very engaging and well-executed story.
Overall, this is exactly the kind of indie book I love finding, creative concept, strong momentum, and a clear passion behind it. If you’re into mystery/thrillers with a unique twist, this one’s absolutely worth your time.
A really fun, fast-moving read
First off, the premise alone is such a smart hook. Using geocaching as the backbone for a thriller isn’t something you see every day, and it works incredibly well here. The opening chapters, especially Dan discovering the mysterious cache and being warned off by another cacher, pull you in fast and don’t really let go . There’s this steady sense of “something isn’t right” that builds in a really effective, almost cinematic way.
What stood out to me most, though, is how readable and grounded the writing feels. That’s something I pay attention to as an indie author, because it’s easy to either overcomplicate prose or under-develop it. This hits a really nice middle ground. The dialogue feels natural (like actual teenagers talking, not overly polished versions of them), and the pacing keeps things moving without feeling rushed.
Dan is a solid anchor for the story. He’s curious, a little impulsive, and believable in the way he keeps pushing forward even when things get clearly dangerous. The early twist with the missing memories and the discovery in the cache (no spoilers, but you’ll know it when you hit it) is a strong turning point, it shifts the story from “interesting mystery” into something much darker and more high-stakes very quickly .
From a craft perspective, I also really appreciated how the author builds tension through small details, like the repeated warnings, the strange behavior of the cache owner, and the creeping realization that this isn’t just a game. Those layers add up in a way that feels intentional and well thought out.
If I had one small critique (and this is coming from a place of respect), there are moments where tightening the prose or pushing a bit deeper into emotional reactions could elevate certain scenes even more. But honestly, that’s a minor note in what is otherwise a very engaging and well-executed story.
Overall, this is exactly the kind of indie book I love finding, creative concept, strong momentum, and a clear passion behind it. If you’re into mystery/thrillers with a unique twist, this one’s absolutely worth your time.
A really fun, fast-moving read
February 8, 2026
I have never read a book about geocaching before, much less a mystrry involving geocaching. The idea is original and the writing style keeps the story moving quickly. This book is a an adventure for teens or middle grade student, or anyone interested in geocaching. Stalder is a debut author whose writing and creativity shows promise for future works.
May 9, 2026
Not clean for language and gore/violence
Holey Mikey, let me tell you that I was captivated from the first page. Geocaching thriller? It was absolutely mind bending every stop of the way and that end. My jaw was on the floooooor.
Excellent debut.
Maybe don’t read in the middle of the night unless you want to be both terrified and unable to stop reading.
Nicely done.
Holey Mikey, let me tell you that I was captivated from the first page. Geocaching thriller? It was absolutely mind bending every stop of the way and that end. My jaw was on the floooooor.
Excellent debut.
Maybe don’t read in the middle of the night unless you want to be both terrified and unable to stop reading.
Nicely done.
December 6, 2025
I always like to preface my reviews with where an author is in their journey. This is a debut writer, and for a first release I was genuinely impressed by how engaging and fun this story was. The tone reminded me of Diary of a Wimpy Kid mixed with those slightly eerie, campfire-style stories from childhood... creepy enough to keep you curious, but still safe and accessible for a younger audience. It read like a thriller without ever feeling too heavy, which I think makes it especially ideal for middle-grade readers. I am not sure the intended audience of the story, nor am I implying it's for that age, but rather it is a book you would not mind finding in your middle schoolers shelf. I don't feel that way with many thrillers. This is a huge positive for the author
One aspect that truly surprised me in a positive way was the amount of dialogue. As an author myself, dialogue is something I’m continuously working to strengthen, so seeing it used so heavily (and effectively) to carry the story forward stood out. It kept the pacing light, quick, and character-driven, which I really enjoyed
The geocaching element was refreshingly unique. As someone who has actually geocached before, it made the plot feel interactive and grounded in something real, almost like I could go out and follow the trail myself. It gave the book a wholesome undertone despite the thriller frame, and that contrast worked well
Overall, it’s a quick, easy read :) Which I really appreciated in a world of unnecesary fluff. I finished it in just a couple of hours by the fireplace and it was genuinely fun. It has that nostalgic, adventurous feel that I think a lot of younger readers would love, especially those who enjoy mystery without the intensity of darker thrillers. A solid debut, and I’m excited to see how the author grows from here!
One aspect that truly surprised me in a positive way was the amount of dialogue. As an author myself, dialogue is something I’m continuously working to strengthen, so seeing it used so heavily (and effectively) to carry the story forward stood out. It kept the pacing light, quick, and character-driven, which I really enjoyed
The geocaching element was refreshingly unique. As someone who has actually geocached before, it made the plot feel interactive and grounded in something real, almost like I could go out and follow the trail myself. It gave the book a wholesome undertone despite the thriller frame, and that contrast worked well
Overall, it’s a quick, easy read :) Which I really appreciated in a world of unnecesary fluff. I finished it in just a couple of hours by the fireplace and it was genuinely fun. It has that nostalgic, adventurous feel that I think a lot of younger readers would love, especially those who enjoy mystery without the intensity of darker thrillers. A solid debut, and I’m excited to see how the author grows from here!
December 12, 2025
My review: 3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
TW: suicide, Disassociative Identity Disorder (DID)
I personally love that A Dead Man's Tale is a story surrounding Geocaching! I have never read a book that has geocaching in it, but especially not the book being completely centered around it.
I wish we got a little more details about the characters. I didn't feel as though I connected with them as much as I wanted and I would love more of Hannah's story especially. We got a glimpse of a maybe troubled past in one line.
Some of the geocache clues seemed a little far fetched in a way, as in - how in the world did you figure out to go to a diner from a clue that says "you know"?
I'm not sure what age group the writer intended but I feel as though it would be more of a young adult (teen) read, which is not a bad thing!
It left a perfect cliffhanger of an ending with hints of a second book to the series! And despite my minor qualms with the book, I will read the second! ;)
Thank you Ryan for the ARC copy of your book, A Dead Man's Tale.
Favorite Quote:
"Are you asking whether I know that you used to sneak out to go to the library when you were grounded? Then yes."
TW: suicide, Disassociative Identity Disorder (DID)
I personally love that A Dead Man's Tale is a story surrounding Geocaching! I have never read a book that has geocaching in it, but especially not the book being completely centered around it.
I wish we got a little more details about the characters. I didn't feel as though I connected with them as much as I wanted and I would love more of Hannah's story especially. We got a glimpse of a maybe troubled past in one line.
Some of the geocache clues seemed a little far fetched in a way, as in - how in the world did you figure out to go to a diner from a clue that says "you know"?
I'm not sure what age group the writer intended but I feel as though it would be more of a young adult (teen) read, which is not a bad thing!
It left a perfect cliffhanger of an ending with hints of a second book to the series! And despite my minor qualms with the book, I will read the second! ;)
Thank you Ryan for the ARC copy of your book, A Dead Man's Tale.
Favorite Quote:
"Are you asking whether I know that you used to sneak out to go to the library when you were grounded? Then yes."
March 31, 2026
Geocaching and mystery were not on my reading list but this book surprised me and kept me reading. I enjoyed this story and the mystery it built. While my knowledge of geocaching was limited before this book, I still found it easy to follow along. I would recommend this book to readers looking for mystery with a twist.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews