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Florida Keys Adventure #1
Gold in the Keys
In 1521, the Aztec treasure, considered to be the greatest ever assembled, vanished from the capitol city of Tenochtitlan. Almost five centuries later, former Navy SEAL Logan Dodge finds a mysterious gold coin off of a secret ledge in the Florida Keys.
When he learns the origin of the coin, he goes on a mission to find and secure the treasure for the people of Mexico. But he’s not the only one who’s caught the scent of gold. A notorious Mexican drug cartel known as Black Venom is right on his heels and will stop at nothing to take the treasure for themselves.
With the help of one of his old Navy buddies, a notorious mercenary, a beach bum Key West charter captain and a marine geologist, Logan races to find the treasure and take down the drug cartel while he’s at it.
Gold in the Keys is a shoot ‘em up, beat ‘em up, speedboat chasing, get the girl, treasure hunting romp in the Florida Keys.
When he learns the origin of the coin, he goes on a mission to find and secure the treasure for the people of Mexico. But he’s not the only one who’s caught the scent of gold. A notorious Mexican drug cartel known as Black Venom is right on his heels and will stop at nothing to take the treasure for themselves.
With the help of one of his old Navy buddies, a notorious mercenary, a beach bum Key West charter captain and a marine geologist, Logan races to find the treasure and take down the drug cartel while he’s at it.
Gold in the Keys is a shoot ‘em up, beat ‘em up, speedboat chasing, get the girl, treasure hunting romp in the Florida Keys.
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2017
2421 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Rief
33 books143 followersMatthew is the author of the Florida Keys Adventure Series and the Jason Wake Novels. He's always had a deep rooted love for adventure and the ocean. He loves traveling, diving, rock climbing and writing adventure novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
July 13, 2020
Pretty standard fare in a very crowded genre. Ex SEAL/for hire mercenary gets involved in hunting Aztec treasure off Key West. Along the way he runs afoul of a drug cartel, the members of which are also looking for the treasure. Plenty of action to keep the action junkie happy. My personal comfort zone is the novel taking place in and around the Keys.
April 8, 2018
Former Seal, mercenary and on vacation. What could happen?
A great story that appeals to my inner warrior. Throw in a treasure hunt and I am sucked in to adventure. Read it.
A great story that appeals to my inner warrior. Throw in a treasure hunt and I am sucked in to adventure. Read it.
April 13, 2018
A good read
I have always enjoyed stories of treasure hunting off the keys with a protagonist that is also starting to get hooked into the conch life, and this book fit the bill for the kind of story I was looking for
I have always enjoyed stories of treasure hunting off the keys with a protagonist that is also starting to get hooked into the conch life, and this book fit the bill for the kind of story I was looking for
February 20, 2019
It is painfully clear that this author knows nothing about firearms or boats. Unfortunately he has seen fit to make them important to the story. This could have been a good book.
January 31, 2023
Another meh on this one; action, adventure & treasure in the style of Cussler’s Dirk Pitt but this one (admittedly the first in a long series so all due benefit of the doubt) is chock full of cliche & hyper-masculinity.
Our hero, retired Navy SEAL, Logan Dodge, finds himself chasing Aztec treasure alongside his former SEAL buddy & somehow US Senator (whaaaa…?) through the beautiful waters off the Florida Keys.
The scene setting is beautiful & the Keys hold a soft spot for me so I picked up the series based solely on that…sooo…let’s jus speak plainly…the Mexican drug cartel is Black Venom & there are matching tattoos … the badass female ‘friend with sometime benefits’ drives a classic Camaro & at one point it took 3 sentences to pour, pick up, drink from & set down a cup of coffee!!
The plot is standard issue action & its well constructed for the most part, details about weaponry & the nautical details appear to be on point. But there are times where the wordiness takes away from the meat of the action; ‘sounded like the old triangle bell used to signal dinner is ready’ really breaks up a solid action sequence when ‘dinner bell’ is a familiar enough expression it really didn’t need the explanations.
Overall, not bad, and I secretly hope the series gets better if only for fond descriptions of the beautiful locales in the Keys! Did it make me roll my eyes a few times, sure. But do I want a mojito & a beachside cabana? Yep!!!
Our hero, retired Navy SEAL, Logan Dodge, finds himself chasing Aztec treasure alongside his former SEAL buddy & somehow US Senator (whaaaa…?) through the beautiful waters off the Florida Keys.
The scene setting is beautiful & the Keys hold a soft spot for me so I picked up the series based solely on that…sooo…let’s jus speak plainly…the Mexican drug cartel is Black Venom & there are matching tattoos … the badass female ‘friend with sometime benefits’ drives a classic Camaro & at one point it took 3 sentences to pour, pick up, drink from & set down a cup of coffee!!
The plot is standard issue action & its well constructed for the most part, details about weaponry & the nautical details appear to be on point. But there are times where the wordiness takes away from the meat of the action; ‘sounded like the old triangle bell used to signal dinner is ready’ really breaks up a solid action sequence when ‘dinner bell’ is a familiar enough expression it really didn’t need the explanations.
Overall, not bad, and I secretly hope the series gets better if only for fond descriptions of the beautiful locales in the Keys! Did it make me roll my eyes a few times, sure. But do I want a mojito & a beachside cabana? Yep!!!
April 14, 2018
Good adventure. Read
Ready for book two , read most of key West adventure books and this ranks towards the top , thanks for your service
Ready for book two , read most of key West adventure books and this ranks towards the top , thanks for your service
April 7, 2018
A beautiful entry into the adventure fiction field!
A very well written first novel, can't wait for the next one! There's never a dull moment with Logan, Scott,and the gang on the prowl!
A very well written first novel, can't wait for the next one! There's never a dull moment with Logan, Scott,and the gang on the prowl!
July 25, 2018
Marine adventures!
Great adventure in one of my most favorite places!
Love the marine life and marine adventures! I am a advanced certified internal diver, so this is very interesting to me.
Great adventure in one of my most favorite places!
Love the marine life and marine adventures! I am a advanced certified internal diver, so this is very interesting to me.
September 12, 2022
Written for your average High Schooler. Quite simple to read and silly at times. After fighting so hard to find and retrieve the "treasure" they give it all away to the poor people of Mexico. Made me laugh so hard it hurt......
April 27, 2020
Another Tom Clancy ? Not
Sort of silly attempt at adventure that I finished only because my wife gave it to me. Enough for me.
Sort of silly attempt at adventure that I finished only because my wife gave it to me. Enough for me.
November 26, 2024
I enjoyed GOLD IN THE KEYS by Matthew Rief, which kept me engaged from beginning to end. I love those stories around the Florida Keys and searches for sunken treason - this story was almost close to a Clive Cussler tale. Here, retired Navy Seal Logan Dodge has lots of money from his off-the-grid hired gun jaunts, enough for him to purchase a large yacht to help in this next adventure.
Logan suspects that a sunken Spanish galleon sunk in the Keys and a four-hundred-year-old buried Aztek treasure lie undiscovered in these waters. With help from friends Scott, Jack, and a Marine Geologist, they set out to find it. However, they aren't alone, as a Mexican Cartel Boss also has his eyes on retrieving the bounty for himself.
The fight scenes appear implausible as Logan is Superman in disguise. However, the plot was well thought out, and the story was easy to read and a good escape. I will most likely download the next book to see how the characters progress.
Logan suspects that a sunken Spanish galleon sunk in the Keys and a four-hundred-year-old buried Aztek treasure lie undiscovered in these waters. With help from friends Scott, Jack, and a Marine Geologist, they set out to find it. However, they aren't alone, as a Mexican Cartel Boss also has his eyes on retrieving the bounty for himself.
The fight scenes appear implausible as Logan is Superman in disguise. However, the plot was well thought out, and the story was easy to read and a good escape. I will most likely download the next book to see how the characters progress.
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February 16, 2022Strong start, meandering middle, but strong finish.
Rief's novel starts off really well, but kind of loses steam in the middle. He never really developed the main character, Logan Dodge. We get snippets of his background, bits here and there. The author makes assumptions that anyone who picks up this book knew all about the BUDS training and all the requisite skills most of the SEALs acquire.
And of course if you stick with the book you will have a small idea of those skills and how well each of the protagonists comes to rely on each other... Though you never get told how well, and to what extent these men and women are trained.
Rief's novel starts off really well, but kind of loses steam in the middle. He never really developed the main character, Logan Dodge. We get snippets of his background, bits here and there. The author makes assumptions that anyone who picks up this book knew all about the BUDS training and all the requisite skills most of the SEALs acquire.
And of course if you stick with the book you will have a small idea of those skills and how well each of the protagonists comes to rely on each other... Though you never get told how well, and to what extent these men and women are trained.
July 7, 2024
Beach read while on vacation in Key West. Pulpy Super Action Man Logan Dodge, eats fresh seafood every few pages, is in his early 30’s but has been on hundreds of special ops missions, ex SEAL of course, rich from inheritance…it’s as corny as you might expect. Full of unnecessary description…lots of walking and picking stuff up.
My biggest beef was a female character who was full of plot friendly conveniences…it’s even acknowledge…the right narrative would have her be a traitor thus explaining the said conveniences. I can’t believe Rief whiffed on that.
All in, I might read book two…next year when I return to the Pier House at One Duval.
My biggest beef was a female character who was full of plot friendly conveniences…it’s even acknowledge…the right narrative would have her be a traitor thus explaining the said conveniences. I can’t believe Rief whiffed on that.
All in, I might read book two…next year when I return to the Pier House at One Duval.
April 1, 2022
This is the first book in one of my favorite series of books. I like the way Matthew Rief writes, I liked the setting for the series (the Florida Keys), and I like the Logan Dodge character. I have read all of the books on Kindle, and most of them through Kindle Unlimited. So, I don't care for paperbacks, and decided that I wanted a more permanent copy of the books in my possession -- so I decided to go through the entire series again on Audible, before I read the newest books that is coming out real soon. Again, I really like this series.
April 14, 2022
I’ve never seen my brother-in-law read a book and while we were in the Keys he read the first three books in the Logan Dodge Adventure series so I had to see for myself. Logan is a former Navy Seal who uses his unusual skill set to make the world a better place. This story focuses on a 500 year old Aztec treasure which seems to have ended up in a reef off Key West and Logan and his local and not so local cast of compadres race to keep it out of the hands of a Mexican drug cartel. Fast paced and set in paradise - 3.5 stars - and I’ll read more of these.
August 11, 2019
A little disappointing
After reading Michael Reisig's Key West series i found this book lacking in excitement. I'll try the next one and see how it goes. I'm no expert in book reviews, but the author seemed to use scene descriptions in far too much detail. I'm not a speed reader and usually read every word so as not to miss key details. I found myself just looking for quoted sentences and bypassing all the blah blah.
After reading Michael Reisig's Key West series i found this book lacking in excitement. I'll try the next one and see how it goes. I'm no expert in book reviews, but the author seemed to use scene descriptions in far too much detail. I'm not a speed reader and usually read every word so as not to miss key details. I found myself just looking for quoted sentences and bypassing all the blah blah.
May 23, 2023
This is my first journey with Matthew Rief, I'm not disappointed. Since I read a lot from the Caribbean/Florida authors many locations were familiar to me. The characters I like, not overblown or too high on their abilities...confident yet very much vulnerable. This story is interesting for many reason, including the location of the treasure...feasible and clever. I tip a 5 star hat and prepare to see where the journey takes us next. Thank you Matthew Rief
October 14, 2023
Logan Dodge, ex- Navy Seal, now mercenary for the good guys. When he finds an Aztec medalion in the Keys that should be part of a vaste treasure lost in Mexico.. After almost losing his life in Mexico trying to locate it and finding it gone, he heads back to the Keys. A dangerous Mexican drug cartel follows him. Their reasons for wanting the treasure are not good.Lots and lost of action. An exciting new series for me
January 20, 2024
Logan Dodge, a retired Navy Seal, now a mercenary gets involved with recovery of Aztec gold treasure lost for 500 years. Logan and his friends Scott Cooper and Angelina Fox want to return the treasure they found to the rightful owners, the people of Mexico. The treasure is located in Key West, Logan’s home before becoming a seal. The team of friends meet with resistance from a drug cartel called Black Venom. This is a book full of adventure! I enjoyed it and plan to read more in this series.
July 22, 2024
Logan Dodge's First Adventure
Interesting read.... Hopefully the author will improve as the series continues. It was clear what Matthew Died is familiar with (Boats, diving) and what he was not (Guns and tactics). Other than a few technical missteps, and a few situations where the descriptions were a it cheesy, it was a fairly entertaining read. I'll most likely read more of the series, and hope Matthew improves on his due diligence concerning weapons and tactics.
Interesting read.... Hopefully the author will improve as the series continues. It was clear what Matthew Died is familiar with (Boats, diving) and what he was not (Guns and tactics). Other than a few technical missteps, and a few situations where the descriptions were a it cheesy, it was a fairly entertaining read. I'll most likely read more of the series, and hope Matthew improves on his due diligence concerning weapons and tactics.
January 9, 2019
Good little action packed story with the usual characters, tall dark and handsome with beautiful women
Was good enough read while I lay in bed sick. Kept my interest. Nothing surprising in this book. Easy read. We have visited the Keys so was fun to recognize some of the sites
Was good enough read while I lay in bed sick. Kept my interest. Nothing surprising in this book. Easy read. We have visited the Keys so was fun to recognize some of the sites
August 21, 2019
"Great Action Mystery Thriller"
This is another adventure thriller very well written and captivating. Back in the 1500's the Aztec of Mexico moved their gold treasures to another location. Can Logan and Scott locate it before a large cartel is also searching for it? The story is fast-paced, exciting, and I couldn't put it down. Enjoy the thrills; read this great story!
This is another adventure thriller very well written and captivating. Back in the 1500's the Aztec of Mexico moved their gold treasures to another location. Can Logan and Scott locate it before a large cartel is also searching for it? The story is fast-paced, exciting, and I couldn't put it down. Enjoy the thrills; read this great story!
January 30, 2021
An overall good read!
I have many fond memories of the Florida Keys so any story involving that wonderful place has an automatic headstart on my fun meter. For the most part I liked the storyline. However there were a few parts that were obviously over the top, but not enough to stop me from giving the book a 4 out of 5 stars. I will be back for more!
I have many fond memories of the Florida Keys so any story involving that wonderful place has an automatic headstart on my fun meter. For the most part I liked the storyline. However there were a few parts that were obviously over the top, but not enough to stop me from giving the book a 4 out of 5 stars. I will be back for more!
July 30, 2021
High Adventure- As only U S NAVY SEALS CAN !!
Long time buddies, and former seals, investigate the beauty and treasures under the water, off the coast of Mexico.
Following sunken ships and searching for their cargo, brings the story to the Florida Keys! Finding gold medallions years earlier peaked their renewed interest!
Wonderful, well written book, hard to put down.
Long time buddies, and former seals, investigate the beauty and treasures under the water, off the coast of Mexico.
Following sunken ships and searching for their cargo, brings the story to the Florida Keys! Finding gold medallions years earlier peaked their renewed interest!
Wonderful, well written book, hard to put down.
February 7, 2022
I thought it'd found a good adventure series in which to indulge my thirst for high adventure but not so much. Definitely not in the same league as Cussler, Rollins or McDermott. I had a hard time warming up to the main character and the rest were pretty mundane. And the action was pretty standard and predictable. I'm pretty sure I'm finished with this series.
March 4, 2024
action, action, action
I don’t want to give anything away but the good guys win. Lots of action, fights and testosterone. I can’t wait to see what treasure is next to be found. The characters are fairly flat but it’s the first book and I imagine it will get better later. Good fun read.
I don’t want to give anything away but the good guys win. Lots of action, fights and testosterone. I can’t wait to see what treasure is next to be found. The characters are fairly flat but it’s the first book and I imagine it will get better later. Good fun read.
March 14, 2024
in the first book Logan was a former SEAL. In this book, he's former Special Forces? the coreographed action sequences were a little too unbelieveable. at the end, the bad guy holding a gun to Logan's love interest and demands that Logan put his gun down, and he complies/ that would NEVER happen. the story was interesting and the pace of the novel was good though so I enjoyed it.
November 1, 2018
Pretty darn good
I liked this novel very much. Some of the characters thought processes as well as some of the underwater action were kind of a stretch but otherwise it was well written. Some of the boat to boat shooting was well neigh impossible.
I liked this novel very much. Some of the characters thought processes as well as some of the underwater action were kind of a stretch but otherwise it was well written. Some of the boat to boat shooting was well neigh impossible.
January 2, 2019
Gold in the keys
Not a deep character in Logan,but one you can enjoy as a good tale. The excitement is continually changing as a result of varying situations so it makes for a good read.
Not a deep character in Logan,but one you can enjoy as a good tale. The excitement is continually changing as a result of varying situations so it makes for a good read.
February 21, 2019
Another good Florida Keys adventure
Love the action in this book. It keeps you on your toes trying to anticipate what will happen next. Looking forward to reading more from Matthew Rief.
Love the action in this book. It keeps you on your toes trying to anticipate what will happen next. Looking forward to reading more from Matthew Rief.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews