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The Old Cape #2
The Old Cape Teapot
Nancy Caldwell uncovers a pirate mystery that had the Old Salts of Cape Cod wondering for close to 300 years in the historical fiction, The Old Cape House. Was she lucky or a good detective? Nancy returns in The Old Cape Teapot, the second in a series, to uncover the trails of two survivors from the wreck of the 1717 pirate ship Whydah. Armed with the knowledge that in pirate culture the looted riches were equally shared, she takes us to the tropical island of Antigua and back to Cape Cod searching for clues to more treasure. Using alternating chapters from the 18th to the 21st century, danger and conspiracy follow her at every turn. What will help her this time? During a sunset stroll across Brewster's tidal flats on Cape Cod, author Barbara Eppich Struna found a blue-flowered pottery shard from an old dinner plate. An avid storyteller, several "What if this piece was..." or "Maybe it belonged to..." scenarios sparked her imagination. Barbara felt compelled to continue the story of the Bellamy/Hallett legend and the adventures of contemporary Nancy Caldwell in her second historical fiction, The Old Cape Teapot. barbarastruna.blogspot.com strunagalleries.com
234 pages, Paperback
First published October 14, 2014
76 people are currently reading
370 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Eppich Struna
6 books59 followersA storyteller at heart, Barbara bases her tales on her own personal experiences. She has created a contemporary character, an amateur sleuth, who becomes the vehicle that moves her stories between time periods in alternating chapters. Aided by Barbara's imagination and her love of history, myth, and legend, she continues to create winning novels.
Her first suspenseful historical, The Old Cape House, won "First Place - Historical Fiction, Royal Dragonfly Awards 2014", which led to the second, The Old Cape Teapot and the third, The Old Cape Hollywood Secret, also awarded, "First Place Historical Fiction - Royal Dragonfly Awards 2017", "Hollywood Book Festival - Genre Based 2017", "Finalist Fiction: Mystery/Suspense IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards 2018", "Finalist Eric Hoffer Book Award 2018", "Finalist/Suspense - 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards".
She is an International Best Selling Author, a Member in Letters of the National League of American Pen Women, International Thriller Writers, Panelist Thrillerfest 2016, IBPA, Sisters In Crime: National, New England, LA, and President of Cape Cod Writers Center. Always a journal writer, she is fascinated by history and writes a blog about the unique facts and myths of Cape Cod.
Her first suspenseful historical, The Old Cape House, won "First Place - Historical Fiction, Royal Dragonfly Awards 2014", which led to the second, The Old Cape Teapot and the third, The Old Cape Hollywood Secret, also awarded, "First Place Historical Fiction - Royal Dragonfly Awards 2017", "Hollywood Book Festival - Genre Based 2017", "Finalist Fiction: Mystery/Suspense IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards 2018", "Finalist Eric Hoffer Book Award 2018", "Finalist/Suspense - 2018 Next Generation Indie Book Awards".
She is an International Best Selling Author, a Member in Letters of the National League of American Pen Women, International Thriller Writers, Panelist Thrillerfest 2016, IBPA, Sisters In Crime: National, New England, LA, and President of Cape Cod Writers Center. Always a journal writer, she is fascinated by history and writes a blog about the unique facts and myths of Cape Cod.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 15, 2016
Okay I should have known better since the first book was so badly written, but I wanted to hear the rest of the story. I'm only a few pages in and so far the author has changed the ages of 3 of the 5 children. Daniel can't be born and then 5 less than a year later. Molly goes from being in kindergarten when Daniel is born to being 8 when he is 5. Brian entered the Peace Corps when Daniel was born, but when Daniel is 5, he is said to be finishing his second year in the Peace Corps. Very sloppy editing.
January 21, 2020
IN MY OPINION, THIS IS NOT WORTH THE MONEY!😐
The author has weaved a truly disgusting stupid !son character! The other characters are nearly as dimwitted as her husband! I have read literally over a hundred books.
Just in the previous year of 2019! I am disabled and spend each day reading 📚books and I have read some stories descriptions with stupid characters! None even nearly as lacking in intelligence, as in this book! ESPECIALLY AS THE
MAIN CHARACTER! I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!😶
The author has weaved a truly disgusting stupid !son character! The other characters are nearly as dimwitted as her husband! I have read literally over a hundred books.
Just in the previous year of 2019! I am disabled and spend each day reading 📚books and I have read some stories descriptions with stupid characters! None even nearly as lacking in intelligence, as in this book! ESPECIALLY AS THE
MAIN CHARACTER! I DO NOT RECOMMEND IT!😶
February 13, 2015
The talent and ability of Barbara Struna to write a book that keeps the pages turning is remarkable. As we read this continuation of the first book - The Old Cape House - we share Nancy Caldwell's journey to find more treasure on the beloved Cape! Nancy's uncanny skill and more importantly desire to look for and find history makes this 2nd journey truly exciting! Looking forward to the 3rd book!!!
November 4, 2023
This was a great story. I read the first book and loved it. This one was equally entertaining...have the next ones on my to be read list. Quick read, but enjoyable.
March 20, 2016
Main character lacking in common sense
The main character was incredibly naive. Of course, there would be no story if she had not worn an expensive necklace to Antigua, but when her son lives in a desolate area on the island? Who keeps the key in the safe? Who doesn't have an alarm system installed when you have previously been held hostage? Unbelievably naive.
The main character was incredibly naive. Of course, there would be no story if she had not worn an expensive necklace to Antigua, but when her son lives in a desolate area on the island? Who keeps the key in the safe? Who doesn't have an alarm system installed when you have previously been held hostage? Unbelievably naive.
January 27, 2015
the Old Cape Teapot
The writer has definitely improved! I breezed through this book and enjoyed every minute of it.
The plot was good and the characters developed. Dialogue was believable and so were reactions to various events.
I would read more in this series.
The writer has definitely improved! I breezed through this book and enjoyed every minute of it.
The plot was good and the characters developed. Dialogue was believable and so were reactions to various events.
I would read more in this series.
September 25, 2015
Quick reading with a lot of wrap-up action at the end, tho it wasn't difficult to figure out who the bad guys were going to be. One of the unsolved mysteries for me is, "What the heck does Nancy have against Martha?"
June 15, 2020
A ok ay summer read
I enjoyed the first book about the pirate Sam Bellamy. This book was a disappointment. Nancy Caldwell was more of a dimwit sharing way too much information. I skimmed through the last chapters just to finish it. Done with this series.
I enjoyed the first book about the pirate Sam Bellamy. This book was a disappointment. Nancy Caldwell was more of a dimwit sharing way too much information. I skimmed through the last chapters just to finish it. Done with this series.
January 18, 2015
Great sequel to The Old Cape House. More pirate treasure to be found. Who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? Everyone wants a piece of the treasure.
December 31, 2015
Good story idea but writing style lacking
I liked the story premise. I felt the writing was contrived and didn't lime the constant switching between first person and omnipresent.
I liked the story premise. I felt the writing was contrived and didn't lime the constant switching between first person and omnipresent.
July 22, 2016
I found this to be a not-very-successful sequel to The Old Cape House. It could have used some editing, both in the grammar and in the extraneous details.
June 2, 2023
As a local New Englander and a yearly vacationer to Cape Cod, I was intrigued when I stumbled upon this book. Since I skipped the first book in the series, this is my first introduction to it. The book is divided between the present day and the 1700s, and I will review them separately to provide a better explanation. Both sections feel as if they were written by two different authors.
My favorite parts of the book were definitely the sections set in the 1700s. The dialogue and actions of the characters felt very natural. Each character's motives were slowly built over time. I really enjoyed the pacing and the development of the story in this section.
On the other hand, the present day sections seemed to be written by an inexperienced writer. Much of the dialogue felt forced and highly unnatural. The characters' actions seemed to exist solely to advance the plot, without fully developing the characters themselves. It wasn't until the second half of the book that I felt it started to redeem itself. This section is mostly written in first person, which may be part of the problem. The small snippets written in third person, away from the main character's perspective, were actually well done. This supports my belief that the first person writing style is responsible for the failures of this section.
In the first five chapters, there was an excessive amount of exposition dumping. It was mostly telling instead of showing. Despite this, there were many plot twists that I didn't see coming, which kept the book engaging without being tacky. Overall, it was a nice short read, especially for those who love Cape Cod.
My favorite parts of the book were definitely the sections set in the 1700s. The dialogue and actions of the characters felt very natural. Each character's motives were slowly built over time. I really enjoyed the pacing and the development of the story in this section.
On the other hand, the present day sections seemed to be written by an inexperienced writer. Much of the dialogue felt forced and highly unnatural. The characters' actions seemed to exist solely to advance the plot, without fully developing the characters themselves. It wasn't until the second half of the book that I felt it started to redeem itself. This section is mostly written in first person, which may be part of the problem. The small snippets written in third person, away from the main character's perspective, were actually well done. This supports my belief that the first person writing style is responsible for the failures of this section.
In the first five chapters, there was an excessive amount of exposition dumping. It was mostly telling instead of showing. Despite this, there were many plot twists that I didn't see coming, which kept the book engaging without being tacky. Overall, it was a nice short read, especially for those who love Cape Cod.
May 28, 2021
A Treasure Found
Ms. Struna has a “gem” of a story. Nancy Caldwell went to Antigua to visit her son, who was in the Peace Corps. She had found a few items that was part of a treasure that had been lost. One piece of treasure she found was a necklace. When visiting her son, she found a woman on Antigua had a pair of earrings that matched the necklace. Nancy had met her son’s roommate, Nick, while visiting on Antigua. Nick appeared to be very interested in what Nancy had located. He came to the Caldwell home for Thanksgiving. The Caldwells kicked him out after he shouted at their children. Nancy decided to go on a hike & found more treasure. As she was digging for the treasure, FBI Agents showed up at her home advising her husband, Paul, that she was in danger. I’m going to stop my review of the book now. You will have to read the book to get the exciting ending.
Ms. Struna has a “gem” of a story. Nancy Caldwell went to Antigua to visit her son, who was in the Peace Corps. She had found a few items that was part of a treasure that had been lost. One piece of treasure she found was a necklace. When visiting her son, she found a woman on Antigua had a pair of earrings that matched the necklace. Nancy had met her son’s roommate, Nick, while visiting on Antigua. Nick appeared to be very interested in what Nancy had located. He came to the Caldwell home for Thanksgiving. The Caldwells kicked him out after he shouted at their children. Nancy decided to go on a hike & found more treasure. As she was digging for the treasure, FBI Agents showed up at her home advising her husband, Paul, that she was in danger. I’m going to stop my review of the book now. You will have to read the book to get the exciting ending.
August 8, 2020
A good sequel to The Old Cape House Nancy Caldwell continues her search for more treasure from the Whyddah. Danger lurks and there is some history of Cape Cod tied in with present day. Nancy travels to Antigua to visit her son in the Peace Corps. There she discovers another link with her first discovery. Treasure hunters, thieves, scam artists all make for an edgy adventure. If you are familiar with Cape Cod, the mystery will be even more fun to read.
August 15, 2020
Enjoyed this book after Mrs. C returned from Antigua, after visiting her son...the first book she complained so much about spicy food. Mrs C give it a rest! But actually got interesting. I did figure out Nick wasn't a good guy, although not to what extent. Good read, will be reading the next book in the series.
December 5, 2019
2nd in the series
Nancy Caldwell, who was nearly killed in a home invasion in book 1 has not learned anything from those events. On the trail of a new treasure, she naively talks too much about her quest to the wrong people. Bad things ensue.
Nancy Caldwell, who was nearly killed in a home invasion in book 1 has not learned anything from those events. On the trail of a new treasure, she naively talks too much about her quest to the wrong people. Bad things ensue.
December 18, 2024
Wonderful historical suspense...
Barbara's creative writing reigns you in to wanting to read more. Highly recommend her entire series as I have read them all. Even though I read the series out of order, I still enjoyed reading about Cape Cod history with suspense thrown in!
Barbara's creative writing reigns you in to wanting to read more. Highly recommend her entire series as I have read them all. Even though I read the series out of order, I still enjoyed reading about Cape Cod history with suspense thrown in!
April 22, 2022
I enjoyed this book immensely!
October 7, 2022
See my review at https://topplingbookpile.wordpress.co...
September 8, 2023
Good caper, but not as great as the 1st!
February 7, 2025
Sequel to The Old Cape House. I found it to be a bit contrived. I definitely enjoyed the first book in the series more.
April 30, 2025
Excitement and near death, what can go wrong
Nancy is up to ears in this adventure, for someone who is loves to figure out mysteries she is not smart and way Too trusting.
Nancy is up to ears in this adventure, for someone who is loves to figure out mysteries she is not smart and way Too trusting.
July 15, 2025
This was not nearly as good as the first in this series. Very slow start.
April 6, 2016
I won this book through Goodread's Giveaways and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Living just west of the Cape, it was fun recognizing local places, and learning some history as well. I find myself fascinated with pirate legends and this book certainly added to that fascination. It was a fun read, with just the right amount of adventure and clue solving right alongside the challenges of everyday life. I have not read her first story (The Old Cape House), but I am definitely adding it to my "to read" list as well as her new book coming out this summer.
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August 30, 2024The Old Cape Teapot
It is an interesting story about a treasure stolen by pirates and buried in Cape Cod. The story alternates between the past and the present and between Antigua and Cape Cod. It is enhanced by a number of villains.
This is a must-read for those who enjoy historical novels .
It is an interesting story about a treasure stolen by pirates and buried in Cape Cod. The story alternates between the past and the present and between Antigua and Cape Cod. It is enhanced by a number of villains.
This is a must-read for those who enjoy historical novels .
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews