The Midsummer Treasures: A Harry Fox Origin Story

Harry Fox Origin #1

by Andrew Clawson

This is where the legend begins.

Harry Fox didn't start out as the world's foremost relic hunter. No, that title belonged to his father, the first Fox man to chase relics for the Italian mob. While his dad chased ancient artifacts and navigated the deadly world of black-market antiquities, Harry watched. And he learned. Until fate presented him with a chance.

A Roman tablet changed everything.

The ancient gods who once ruled Ireland may have been more than myth. The tablet tells Harry these mythical beings left a secret path behind. A path leading to the greatest Irish treasure of them all. Not just one treasure. Four of them. The treasures of ancient kings. Harry Fox finally has the chance to escape his father's shadow. Except he isn't the only one chasing treasure.

A mysterious Irish society will do anything to keep Harry from recovering Ireland's lost past. Outnumbered, outgunned, and running out of time, Harry is thrust into a race to decipher the truth behind the cryptic tablet as he dodges bullets and must decide who he can trust - and who wants to see Harry buried alongside the treasure forever. Harry can reveal the deadly truth behind Ireland's ancient throne - if the past doesn't kill him first.

Step into Harry Fox's first mission and see where the adventure begins.

Fans of Indiana Jones, Clive Cussler and Ernest Dempsey will love this pulse-pounding series - grab your copy and dive into the adventure today!

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 25, 2025

About the author

Andrew Clawson is from Pennsylvania and fervently hopes the Pirates win a World Series in his lifetime.

He is currently writing two series.

The Harry Fox archaeological adventure series involves a Pakistani-American who chases artifacts for the Italian mob. He’s a man caught between two worlds, uncovering history’s greatest treasures while carving out his place in the world.

The Parker Chase series follows a daring banker who unravels forgotten historical mysteries while outpacing modern villains intent on using the past for their own nefarious purposes.

The TURN novels reveal the exploits of a former American big-game hunter turned conservationist who battles to save his adopted African homeland from being ripped apart by greed and violence.

Andrew lives near Pittsburgh with his wife, two young children and a rescued black cat.

Reviews

[Jack Hance · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Harry Fox books aren’t bad, just a bit silly. I read this one because it was sitting in my Library as a Kindle Unlimited selection, and it was billed as a prequel, ‘how it all started’ book. It really wasn’t different from the other two I read. To recap, Harry is a marginally likable character, a finder of rare artifacts for profit who works, willingly, for Vincent Morelli and his oily son Joey, who lead the New York mafia’s five families. In his searches, he locates clues that have been hidden more or less in plain sight for millennia, made possible because Harry reads Latin. Each clue us tied to a hidden, massive and ancient machinery/trap left by people who didn’t have the technology to do so, and the intricate devices miraculously still work, invariably with a sinister “rumbling of gears.” Things left in my garage for only ten years, by contrast, never work at all. Whole sections of otherwise pristine cave walls open and slide away, revealing a succession of stone pedestals, popular with the ancients, displaying the clue or treasure. That’s pretty much it, but Harry never gets the girl.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning of the book, The Midsummer Treasures, the action begins; it is an adventure story that is both entertaining and a learning experience. The location of the story is Ireland. The author, Andrew Clawson, has a talent for writing action scenes and has put together an interesting and complex historical fiction book that has been thoroughly researched. The characters are unique and complex, with good and bad aspects to their personalities and backgrounds. They seem to be real and not stereotypes. We meet the protagonist, Harry Fox, who is tasked with an exploration of the origin of the Irish cultural importance of the midsummer solstice.

There are mysterious artifacts, secret hidden places within preserved historical and public landmarks, and traps left by ancestors who wished to preserve the Irish legacy, mythology, and treasures. Harry Fox must find and then interpret the ancient messages, then hunt for the treasures by using his own wits and physical strength. He meets rivals along the way and comes to an understanding of Ireland’s history and mythology. He also gets himself into some dangerous situations.

Can this book be read as a standalone novel? Definitely, Yes. The story has a twist at the end with a conclusion that wraps up the story. The author has an authentic and unique style of writing. His stories remind me of a Jules Verne novel, but written for contemporary times. After the ending, the reader must not stop reading, but continue with the reading. That is because my favorite part of the book is at the very end: the Epilogue. This is where Mr. Clawson explains what is factual and what is fictional about the history and locations in his story. It is fascinating to learn about how talented the author is and to learn some factual and mythological history of Ireland. If a person happened to be planning a trip to Ireland, this would be a perfect book to read; one could visit some of the real locations in the book and appreciate how the author has told the story, and be awed by the ancient history of Ireland.

I received an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy). This is my unsolicited and honest review of the book.
Some locations/settings: [Republic of Ireland: County Kilkenny (Dunmore Caves), County Kildare (Brigid’s Temple), Dublin, County Meath (Hill of Tara, Lia Fáil – Stone of Destiny), County Cork (Kealkill Stone Circle), County Mayo (Village of Cong), County Kerry (Uragh Stone Circle near Gleninchaquin Park); New York City (Brooklyn).

[Darren Bourn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book that I received from the author as a result of being part of his ARC team, I think, since the beginning. This is the tenth book in the Harry Fox Archaeological Adventures, but this tells the origin story of Harry Fox when he was still learning the ropes from his father. Having received this book as an ARC (it is to be released on 16 January 2026), I am leaving an unsolicited opinion of this book.

I found The Midsummer Treasures to be an entertaining and interesting book to read, and enjoy the fact that it can be read as a standalone novel or as some background for the character.

Synopsis

The story follows Harry Fox, a Pakistani-American man from Brooklyn who works acquiring artifacts for the Italian mob, a job he fell into after watching his father navigate the dangerous world of black-market antiquities. 
The plot is set in motion when Harry uncovers a Roman tablet that suggests the ancient gods who once ruled Ireland were more than just myths and left behind a secret path to four legendary treasures of ancient kings. 

This discovery gives Harry a chance to step out of his father's shadow and make a name for himself, but he quickly realizes he is not the only one seeking the artifacts. A secretive and ruthless Irish society is also hunting for the treasures and will stop at nothing to prevent Harry from recovering Ireland's lost past. 

The book thrusts Harry into a high-stakes race against time and a mysterious enemy. He must decipher the cryptic tablet, dodge bullets, and quickly determine who he can trust as he attempts to uncover the truth behind Ireland's ancient throne, all while facing the possibility of being buried alongside the treasure forever.

I would give this book a solid four stars out of five, as I enjoyed the archeological trip from the first Harry Fox novel to now. I believe that this book would be a solid favourite for those readers of archeological fiction (fans of Hollywood's Indiana Jones, Ernest Dempsey's Sean Wyatt, and Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt stories), full of mystery, intrigue, and archaeological adventure. 

As with all my literary ramblings, these are just my five cents' worth.

[Scott Marlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every superhero needs an origin story’s…and this one is Harry’s. Although he would probably bristle at being called a superhero…fans of the Harry Fox adventure series may disagree. It’s the first in a new series offering insight into how Harry came to be the premier relic hunter we’ve come to love. Along with this being Harry’s earliest solo adventure, it also introduces his father Fred and explores the mentoring relationship so prominently eluded to in the first nine Harry Fox adventures. However, if you are new to the Harry Fox universe, this story, in addition to being a roaring good adventure, is also an excellent place to jump in and discover our reluctant hero. Of course I would suggest catching up on the previous adventures but, rest assuredly, you can enjoy this novel without worrying about any spoilers. All in all, it’s a great read that offers new insight to an old friend…recommended.

[Madeleine Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honored to be on the ARC team and I received an Advance Reading copy of this book from Andrew Clawson and below is an honest review of the book.

This book is a must for all Harry Fox fans. This is his first mission and is Book One in the Harry Fox Origin Stories.

This one leads Harry to Ireland, and in search of the four treasures from the ancient kings.

I really enjoyed this book and learning more about Harry prior to him becoming a legendary treasure hunter. In this book the reader learns more about his father, Fred Fox, and I’m looking forward to learning even more about Fred later in the series.

As always, it is action packed with a few twists and turns, secret tunnels and booby traps, as well as guessing who Harry can trust and who he cannot trust as people try to stop him from uncovering the treasures.

[Sue Palmer Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book on Harry Fox’s beginning his relic hunting on his first solo trip. The story winds us through the Irish countryside as Harry as tries to find the three Irish relics that have been lost for centuries. The plot is so believable, you’re right there as Harry discovers the tricks & twists left to stop anyone from finding them. Is he successful? Grab the book and find out for yourself.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story of Harry Fox's first relic hunt. Lots of history, myths, puzzles, traps and treasure. I also enjoyed getting to know Harry's father a bit more since he is dead before the first book in the original series. As always I'm looking forward to Harry's next adventure as they just keep getting better and better.

[Michael Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as ARC. The first Harry book I have read while his dad is still alive. As he goes after ancient Irish treasures, another group will do anything to stop him. Great characters and plot. Really enjoyed the interaction between Harry and his dad

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harry Fox didn’t start out as a Relic Hunter but he became one of the best. Theres action, surprises and danger to keep you intrigued. Absolutely loved this first book in a new series and hope to read many more by this fantastic author.

[Rusty Kehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, okay

It was a nice introduction to Harry Fox but everything seemed predictable. Again, everything seems to be Indiana Jones resurrected and did not draw me from page to page. However, Mr. Clawson does a nice job of researching history and I always learn something.

[Sharron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book highly recommend

[Sarah DeLong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adventures and suspense abound in this Harry Fox novel. A little danger and learning about ancient times were fascinating.

[Linda Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book very much! Interesting story line. Good to meet Fred! I liked the younger Harry.

[Debbie ONeill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

I liked reading an intro into Harry's solo foray into relic finding. Leading a bit more about Fred too. Oh. So Good!!

[Antoine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aunque es para jóvenes adolescentes, la trama es lo suficientemente creíble como para que adultos ya formados puedan volver a disfrutar de sanas aventuras.