Treasures in Time

by Susan Reiss

Winner of the BookFest Gold Medal for Best Fiction Series
A dual-timeline historical mystery set during the Revolutionary War and the present day on the Maryland Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay.

On the first morning Emma Chase, a modern-day kindergarten teacher, moves into The Cottage in the historic village of St. Michaels, she receives a love letter bearing her name and signed Daniel—dated 1862.
So begins a haunting dual-timeline mystery at Waterwood Plantation that intertwines past and present. Emma follows a trail left by Revolutionary War pirates on the Chesapeake Bay, secret rum recipes, and a buried treasure chest—all while preparing for her wedding to the man descended from the very legends she is chasing.
When most people think of pirates, they think of the Caribbean, BUT during the Revolutionary War, "pirates" sailed against British ships on the Chesapeake Bay, an area that spans both Maryland and Virginia. These "pirates" were known as privateers, their attacks against the British sanctioned by the fledgling United States government. In this way, these privateers became the first U.S. navy, a force the government could not afford to support. They went after arms, supplies, and RUM!
Based on scant records, this is a story of the men who prowled the Bay and hid in back creeks, a story that connects to the rum distillery operating in St. Michaels, MD today, a historic town that has always had a taste for rum!

The 7th book in the award-winning IN TIME series, where historical fiction, mystery, and a dash of romance cross timelines and generations.

Genres: Mystery

434 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Susan Reiss trained as a concert pianist then moved into television as a writer/producer for many years. Her work has received a Silver Medal, New York International Film Festival, the Cine Golden Eagle, three Tellys and numerous Emmy nominations. Reiss has been named a Scribe of the Shore. She delved into the mysteries of plot and character creation as a featured speaker in the Sheldon Goldgeiger Lecture Series. She started collecting sterling silver pieces decades ago and blogs about sterling silver, Eastern Shore life and writing at www.SusanReiss.com.
The complete Silver Mystery series:
1. TARNISHED SILVER
1.5 DEATHLY SILVER
2. SACRED SILVER
3. PAINTED SILVER
4. HAMMERED SILVER
5. FOILED SILVER

Reviews

[JBee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book in the series. While Emma and TJ are busy preparing for their upcoming wedding, a murder casts a dark shadow over their special time. In contrast to the mystery, the historical and familial ties—both biological and chosen—add such depth to the story. The mix of tension between Emma and her sister contrasted with the joy, especially Poppy’s delight as she dotes on Emma, her “Auntie Bride,” really pulled me in. Emma’s emerging fairy lore book only made the whole experience richer. The developing friendship between past Emma and present-day Emma adds an unexpected layer of magic. Vivid descriptions of the pre-wedding preparations and the wedding day, along with the descriptions of Waterwood House were so immersive I felt as if I were there, participating in the story. And then there’s the time portal—this curious bridge that allows present Emma and past Emma to develop such a warm, meaningful connection. It’s irresistible to ponder. How could it be possible? What would it take for someone to cross through it? The questions linger long after the final page. (I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.)

[Judy Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Reiss has captured St Michaels and its surrounding beauty creating the most wonderful characters that so appreciate it. Treasures in Time brings together the history with the past that lets itself be known and the concerns of current day including a much awaited wedding. She always brings a plot that keeps going back to what St Michaels stands for. Beauty and love while teaching you of its checkered past such as privateers becoming the saviors of the region and the history of Rum coming in from the mighty Chesapeake! Who knew? I have vacationed in St Michaels and when reading her books I feel connected once again to what I know of it. I always look forward to Susan's next book just as soon as I put her most recent one down. Hers are truly books that I savor so here I am, awaiting her next.

[Mary Cutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan Reiss writes a story full of mystery and intrigue. Accident survivor, Emma, plans a wedding to TJ. while researching his family history. The history from Chesapeake Bay includes pirates, privateers, rum making, mending relationships, and treasure. Interspersed in the story is a murder, communicating with past residents of the home, and dancing with fairies. The characters are believable and lovable. The plot is entertaining, and I was curious to know more about these delightful characters. This is a must-read story for readers who like history, romance, and intriguing surprises

While I read an Advanced Copy of this novel, the opinions expressed above are my own. Thank you to the author for this opportunity.

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read every book in the IN TIME series, and Treasures in Time brings the journey full circle in the best possible way. The dual-timeline mystery is just as enchanting as ever, weaving together hidden letters, Chesapeake Bay privateers, and long-buried secrets with the wedding of our beloved Emma and TJ, the romance I've been rooting for from the beginning. I especially appreciated how this book answered several lingering questions from earlier installments and tied together threads I didn’t even realize I’d been holding onto.

If this is the final chapter in the series, it’s a truly satisfying and heartfelt end. Susan Reiss delivers a finale that feels both complete and deeply rewarding.

4.5 stars

[Anne-Marie Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the ARC version of this book as provided by the author. My opinions are my own and not influenced by the author or others. I believe that I may have been missing some background information. The story is woven around Emma (current), Emma (a past Lady of Waterwood House), and TJ. Emma and TJ are planning their wedding and Emma (current) is able to communicate with Emma (past resident) via a desk in the cabin of Waterwood. It took me a while to sort all of this out! Past Emma is very encouraging and supportive of current Emma and instrumental in her growth and eventual ability to let go of past trauma and relationship issues and thereby to embrace a future with hope and joy. A clean story with some mystery, fantasy and romance.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to give this a 1 star but this was a terrible book. The character was self obsessed, the conflicts in the book lacked anything worth getting upset about, the writing was all over the place with dates binding around, and the end and epilogue were the same- just rewritten in different ways. I really think this was written by AI. It’s so much worse than all the other books in this series. I couldn’t believe it. I tried to write a review on amazon as I truly couldn’t believe people were giving this 5 star, and Amazon declined my review which I thought was very suspect.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues the dual timeline that has run throughout the series. Even as she prepares for her wedding to TJ, modern day Emma is still digging into the past history of Waterwood Plantation with help from the ghost of the previous Emma who lived during the Revolutionary War. The addition of a buried treasure chest and a modern day murder keep the story exciting.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review."
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love old houses with hidden rooms, passageways, and other secrets. This book filled the bill. The supporting cast of characters was great, too. I especially liked little Poppy! The romance was clean and sweet. The unfolding of the family history was fascinating.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful series

I have enjoyed another trip in time with Emma and T J. I wish I had a secret desk to travel to my past ancestors.
The mysteries and murder were well written and detailed. I always try to guess "who done it" and failed miserably this time.
Pour a glass of rum, or whatever, and sit back and enjoy the travel in time.

[Sanderella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as well as the other ones in this series. I felt that there were too many story lines running into each other. And Emma seemed to have fallen back into her old self... Lacking a lot of confidence. Sorry not sorry... I was happy to be done with this book.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emma prepares for her wedding to TJ

As Emma prepares to marry the man she loves, fences need to be mended, a murder needs to be solved, and history needs to reach out a helping hand.
A delightful book from beginning to end.