What do you think?
Rate this book
Legends of Treasure #1
Robbed of Soul
An Engaging Adult Mystery Romance
Rescued but psychologically damaged from a failed mission, ex-CIA officer Maria Branson takes the job of police chief in the quiet town of Kanab, Utah. Rest and relaxation are the doctor’s orders. She gets neither. Instead, a missing mayor, the spirit of a dead Aztec warrior, and the over-confident-yet-attractive head of Search and Rescue await her in a town whose past has almost as many secrets as her own. As Maria investigates a modern-day murder, she disturbs a world of ancient legends and deadly curses. Yet most lethal of all is Maria’s fear someone will discover just how empty her soul really is.
Whether you’re interested in the treasures of Montezuma, enjoy squeaky clean mysteries, or have a soft spot for light romance and suspense, Robbed of Soul fits the bill.
Rescued but psychologically damaged from a failed mission, ex-CIA officer Maria Branson takes the job of police chief in the quiet town of Kanab, Utah. Rest and relaxation are the doctor’s orders. She gets neither. Instead, a missing mayor, the spirit of a dead Aztec warrior, and the over-confident-yet-attractive head of Search and Rescue await her in a town whose past has almost as many secrets as her own. As Maria investigates a modern-day murder, she disturbs a world of ancient legends and deadly curses. Yet most lethal of all is Maria’s fear someone will discover just how empty her soul really is.
Whether you’re interested in the treasures of Montezuma, enjoy squeaky clean mysteries, or have a soft spot for light romance and suspense, Robbed of Soul fits the bill.
290 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2015
132 people are currently reading
735 people want to read
About the author
Lois D. Brown
24 books77 followersLois Brown’s love of all things fantastical began at an early age when her five older brothers made her watch television shows such as “Dr. Who” and “Lost in Space.” (Yes, the originals.) Her passion for science fiction continued when, at age 12, she spent an entire summer buying “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” collector cards. She used her babysitting money earned over an entire year to get a full set. Now she likes to write her own books that spark the imagination. Her first novel, CYCLES, was a top 5 finalist of The Kindle Book Review’s “Best Indie Books of 2012.” She has recently appeared on televisions shows such as "Montezuma's Treasure" aired on the History Channel 2 in connection with her latest release, ROBBED OF SOUL
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 5, 2015
I wrote it so I love it. :) It was actually the funnest book I've written. It kinda made me like writing all over again. :)
Want to read
October 30, 2017FREE on Amazon today (10/30/2017)!
February 26, 2018
A thrilling adventure. Marie, ex CIA with mental baggage becomes Police Chief of small town in Utah. The mayor is murdered and she has to find the murdered while fighting old ghosts and new ones. There is also romance in the air with hunky Rod, head of Search and Rescue. A good read!
February 26, 2018
Wow! I’m hooked! This was a great story and I couldn’t wait until my next free moments to continue reading! I loved the main character, Police Chief Maria Branson, with all her interesting quirks and now I’m looking forward to seeing what could possibly happen to her in the next book!
May 4, 2017
I greatly enjoyed this mystery with both archeological and paranormal elements (ghosts). I thought it was well written and I liked the characters, especially the main character. I felt that the paranormal storyline was well done, and the archeological piece (concerning the origin of the Aztecs and fate of Montezuma's treasure) was quite interesting. I did think there were several things, especially near the beginning, that didn't make sense. I felt that the author was trying to introduce comedic scenes that actually just made the main character seem foolish. Also, the author had some characters behave in ways that seemed, well, out of character. For example, one character is portrayed as flakey and comes on a hike and overnight camping ill prepared. Yet, she is on the search and rescue team. So, certainly, she would have been experienced and know what to bring. Despite these issues, I was caught up in the story and enjoyed it to the end, which was a satisfying one. I'll be reading the next in the series.
November 19, 2017
I couldn't put it down!
This was one of those rare books outside of my genre (Fantasy) that once I got into it, I didn't want to stop reading for work, sleep, dinner. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit. (I did eat dinner.) I did figure out whodunit before the main character, but not for the correct reasons. Excellent story, well defined characters, satisfying conclusion, that left me with the desire to read the next book in the series. I downloaded it, and it's on my list. And it lived up to the author's promise of a "good clean mystery." Well done!
This was one of those rare books outside of my genre (Fantasy) that once I got into it, I didn't want to stop reading for work, sleep, dinner. Okay, I'm exaggerating a bit. (I did eat dinner.) I did figure out whodunit before the main character, but not for the correct reasons. Excellent story, well defined characters, satisfying conclusion, that left me with the desire to read the next book in the series. I downloaded it, and it's on my list. And it lived up to the author's promise of a "good clean mystery." Well done!
August 15, 2019
So I might be a little biased considering I know Lois Brown personally, but... Wow! She certainly knows how to write a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end, intertwining it masterfully with a healthy does of well-developed romance and plenty of personal character development. I also love that it's Utah-based, being from Utah myself. I totally loved this! There were so many twists and turns that I never saw coming, weaved together so well that it constantly kept me on my toes, not to mention Maria...
October 29, 2017
This book has a lot of different elements to catch your attention.
This book has mystery, history, murder, ghosts.
I love that it takes place in a small town.
The character development and interaction is great.
I knew what character did a few things that happened in the book.
I liked the history that was talked about-something that I really had not thought about.
I like the way the treasure is protected.
I think you find this book a great read. Enjoy.
This book has mystery, history, murder, ghosts.
I love that it takes place in a small town.
The character development and interaction is great.
I knew what character did a few things that happened in the book.
I liked the history that was talked about-something that I really had not thought about.
I like the way the treasure is protected.
I think you find this book a great read. Enjoy.
September 18, 2017
Gotta read till I get done book.
This is an excellent example of how to find a way to move on with life when get you are not sure if the way you think anymore is okay or if others will accept you as you are. I really like how she found someone special. I read the rest chapter of the next book and got it too!
This is an excellent example of how to find a way to move on with life when get you are not sure if the way you think anymore is okay or if others will accept you as you are. I really like how she found someone special. I read the rest chapter of the next book and got it too!
October 5, 2018
First time reader of this author and now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative series. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this series.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this series.
September 22, 2019
Ghosts and gold
I started this book, then stopped and read something else. I came back and read it through.
Good premise for the story, just seemed slow starting. Her CIA career and the imprisonment just needed a bit more background before the story plot.
I'm reading the next book in this series...
I started this book, then stopped and read something else. I came back and read it through.
Good premise for the story, just seemed slow starting. Her CIA career and the imprisonment just needed a bit more background before the story plot.
I'm reading the next book in this series...
September 21, 2017
Worth the Read
Likeable, compelling characters and an intriguing storyline, well-written, (no typos and only one questionable word choice - a rare find!). I really enjoyed reading this.
Likeable, compelling characters and an intriguing storyline, well-written, (no typos and only one questionable word choice - a rare find!). I really enjoyed reading this.
November 18, 2017
Exciting
This was a very good detective/mystery/ghost story. The background story of the main character and the personal trials she need to overcome while solving a murder held my interest to the end. Good strong female character and interesting plot with a touch of romance.
This was a very good detective/mystery/ghost story. The background story of the main character and the personal trials she need to overcome while solving a murder held my interest to the end. Good strong female character and interesting plot with a touch of romance.
September 5, 2018
A good mix of paranormal & mystery.
This was a good mix of paranormal, and mystery. I sometimes felt a little impatient to know what would happen next. I felt sympathetic towards what Maria was going through.
This was a good mix of paranormal, and mystery. I sometimes felt a little impatient to know what would happen next. I felt sympathetic towards what Maria was going through.
May 23, 2021
Not for me..
I wasn't robbed of soul thankfully, just a few hours of my life that I will never get back! I' sure understatement out there who will like or even love this book, sadly I am not one of them.
I wasn't robbed of soul thankfully, just a few hours of my life that I will never get back! I' sure understatement out there who will like or even love this book, sadly I am not one of them.
May 18, 2018
2.5 stars
May 1, 2019
Why
I hate the need to write twenty words that I usually the review but the story was unusual and gripping U read it in one day
I hate the need to write twenty words that I usually the review but the story was unusual and gripping U read it in one day
April 16, 2015
Troubled past. Haunted present. A murder. A mystery. Ancient mythology. A romantic interest. Ghosts. Threats. Near-death experiences. Archeological finds.
This book is lacking nothing in the way of interesting topics. I read a sample online and then bought the book the first chance I got because I could already tell that it was going to be good. The story is paced well, there is a healthy amount of suspense, the dialogue is (mostly) natural, and the portrayal of Maria's PTSD is very believable. Brown obviously did her homework on this one; there are so many facts and cited articles that I'm tempted to believe this book is a documentation of a real event and not just realistic fiction influenced by history.
This book is lacking nothing in the way of interesting topics. I read a sample online and then bought the book the first chance I got because I could already tell that it was going to be good. The story is paced well, there is a healthy amount of suspense, the dialogue is (mostly) natural, and the portrayal of Maria's PTSD is very believable. Brown obviously did her homework on this one; there are so many facts and cited articles that I'm tempted to believe this book is a documentation of a real event and not just realistic fiction influenced by history.
May 22, 2018
I enjoyed this book a lot. It opens with quite the bang and keeps a nice steady pace from that moment forward. This novel is an easy read that will hold your interest until the very last page.
The mystery of this book is very well written. You only know what Maria knows, and nothing more. All too often, I know exactly where a story is going, and more often than not, I figure the mystery out before it’s revealed in the novel. That is so not the case in this story.
All the characters are very likable and the ones you’re not supposed to like, you won’t. The hint of romance along the way is not overbearing; the development of the relationship stays very true to the characters involved.
I have full intentions to follow this series to see where it goes.
The mystery of this book is very well written. You only know what Maria knows, and nothing more. All too often, I know exactly where a story is going, and more often than not, I figure the mystery out before it’s revealed in the novel. That is so not the case in this story.
All the characters are very likable and the ones you’re not supposed to like, you won’t. The hint of romance along the way is not overbearing; the development of the relationship stays very true to the characters involved.
I have full intentions to follow this series to see where it goes.
March 3, 2015
Sissy: How many books have you read, Bubby, which embrace the subject matter of Montezuma’s gold? And have an ex-CIA agent suffering from PTSD as a protagonist? Plus ghosts? In the very small and in-the-middle-of-nowhere town of Kanab, Utah? Huh?
Bubby: You’re right, Sissy. Totally new and different. A little treasure, a little romance, a LOT of ghosts, some benevolent and some assuredly not. Read our full review of Robbed of Soul by Lois D. Brown
Bubby: You’re right, Sissy. Totally new and different. A little treasure, a little romance, a LOT of ghosts, some benevolent and some assuredly not. Read our full review of Robbed of Soul by Lois D. Brown
November 28, 2016
Great book
I really was captured by the first page and I usually don't say that. I didn't have any idea who the murderer was and I find that to be the sign of a good book, and a rarity. There were some great twists in the plot, wonderful characters with charm, wit, and of course the ones you love to hate. Romance, adventure, tragedy, superstition, and murder. Research done to write this had to be all encompassing because it made everything so real!! Now I'm looks for the rest of her books.
I really was captured by the first page and I usually don't say that. I didn't have any idea who the murderer was and I find that to be the sign of a good book, and a rarity. There were some great twists in the plot, wonderful characters with charm, wit, and of course the ones you love to hate. Romance, adventure, tragedy, superstition, and murder. Research done to write this had to be all encompassing because it made everything so real!! Now I'm looks for the rest of her books.
January 27, 2015
I really do try to avoid giving books all five of those pretty stars, but I couldn't resist after reading this book. Mystery (in which I actually didn't predict the ending), fulfilling romance, Aztec gold and ghosts, history, and a woman haunted by the trauma of her past. The research and knowledge of the author on treasure hunting and the myths/history surrounding Montezuma's gold was beyond apparent, which made the rest of the book just feel so REAL. I can't wait for the second book!
September 28, 2015
Compelling Interwoven Treasure Mystery
For all of those readers that like a great story, this book is worthy of reading. My grandad was a great storyteller who grew up in Kentucky in the late 1800's, lost his dad's inheritance and migrated in a horse and buggy with his new wife, my grannies. First, he farmed in Kansas, then he became a rancher in Oklahoma amassing a 6000 acre ranch. He was a risk taker and would bet you over anything.
For all of those readers that like a great story, this book is worthy of reading. My grandad was a great storyteller who grew up in Kentucky in the late 1800's, lost his dad's inheritance and migrated in a horse and buggy with his new wife, my grannies. First, he farmed in Kansas, then he became a rancher in Oklahoma amassing a 6000 acre ranch. He was a risk taker and would bet you over anything.
April 3, 2019
I can’t believe I didn’t review this when I read it.
I liked this book bit the main characters weren’t very realistic and I didn’t feel their connection.
I liked the setting and the mystery was unique and creative.
I remember having a plethora of thoughts - good and bad - and a series of notes. It’s unfortunate I’ve no idea where it went.
The MC suffers from PTSD and it was well represented. But since I’m not sold on the characters, I doubt I’ll follow the series.
I liked this book bit the main characters weren’t very realistic and I didn’t feel their connection.
I liked the setting and the mystery was unique and creative.
I remember having a plethora of thoughts - good and bad - and a series of notes. It’s unfortunate I’ve no idea where it went.
The MC suffers from PTSD and it was well represented. But since I’m not sold on the characters, I doubt I’ll follow the series.
May 15, 2015
Came across this book and saw it was by a high school friend. (Great Book Lois!) Read the Kindle edition and I was so relieved to see great editing. So many kindle books I read are so poorly edited it makes me cringe! The story was very well thought out and researched It was suspenseful, thought provoking and creative. Makes me want to find out more about Montezuma and Kanab.
October 6, 2016
This is a very well-written story with a good premise. Those are its two strongest points. The resolve at the end is only satisfactory and a bit cliché. However, overall it was still highly enjoyable. It was personably written, but if I had to be critical, I'd say she could have given a little less details and a little more dialogue, especially toward the end. 4 stars.
January 8, 2017
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*
This mystery was interesting with all the Aztec folklore weaved into the story. Maria and Rod were likable characters. I think the only problem I had with the book is the slow start. There was so much backstory that it felt like it took forever to get into the plot. Other than that, I really enjoyed the story and overall it is a good read.
This mystery was interesting with all the Aztec folklore weaved into the story. Maria and Rod were likable characters. I think the only problem I had with the book is the slow start. There was so much backstory that it felt like it took forever to get into the plot. Other than that, I really enjoyed the story and overall it is a good read.
April 10, 2015
Superb writing! Ms. Brown has taken an ancient Aztec legend and mixed it with a beautiful Utah setting, a suspenseful murder mystery, and a brilliantly cast heroine. The results are as near to perfect as a story can get. I absolutely loved it.
October 2, 2015
Mystery set in the west around the murder of the mayor in a small town. The Police chief is dealing with her past ghosts while the town's ghosts hurt and help the investigation. Lots of history and interesting characters.
October 2, 2015
Aztec treasure as background to murder and mystery.
Good story murder solved romance is a good part of the plot. I recommend this one and the prequel to another Aztec treasure is included.
Good story murder solved romance is a good part of the plot. I recommend this one and the prequel to another Aztec treasure is included.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews