The beam of his flashlight bounces off the walls but does little to brighten the hidden room he just found. In the corner is a centuries-old desk. His heart hammering, he walks over to it and opens the top drawer. What he finds inside will change his future—and the world’s—forever.
For centuries, the existence of Spanish pirate José Gaspar has been relegated to legend, but archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor and his two best friends may have just found reason to believe the buccaneer truly existed. They’re in Washington, DC, to mark the opening of an exhibit at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History when a mysterious stranger turns up claiming he may hold the key to the mythical pirate’s treasure and invites them to join in his quest to find it.
Rumored to have sailed and plundered the Gulf of Mexico and the Spanish Main during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Gaspar would have amassed a vast fortune. But with only the stranger’s word and a token of proof, Matthew is intrigued but not sold—until it becomes personal. There’s an interested third party, and they’re willing to kill for the pirate’s bounty.
What ensues is a globe-trotting adventure that will take Matthew and his friends across the world and back again. Danger lurks around every corner as does betrayal, suspicion, and murder. Can anyone be trusted, and will they survive long enough to find out?
The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a gripping, heart-pounding action adventure that’s akin to a modern-day Indiana Jones story. It’s light on history and heavy on action, suspense, and intrigue. Strap yourself in for a wild ride and buy this international bestselling book today!
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has nearly thirty published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is the latest book in the Matthew Connor Adventures and it was an outstanding journey. I went into this book with high expectations and Arnold did not disappoint. She took the reader on an adventure riddled with danger and suspense.
Matthew is winding down from the high of his last adventure. An adventure, which netted him a book deal, however, as someone who hates writing he felt pressured by the deadlines and all the things associated with being a writer. He would rather be treasure hunting. One of the requirements of the book deal was the hosting of an exhibit. While at the exhibit a mysterious man approached him regarding an ancient diary purported to be that of the mythical pirate Jose Gaspar aka Gasparilla. Matthew and his friends were sceptical at first but when thugs began chasing them due to their meeting with the mystery man, they figured there was more to the story of the diary than they thought.
From the first page I knew I would be in for a wild ride. Danger always follows Matthew and his friends and this time was no different. Suspense, danger, action and murder made for an intense and thrilling read. Fast-paced with never a dull moment the story proved to be a page turner.
I had a wonderful time catching up with the characters once again. Arnold introduced new characters, who aided in stirring up things and added to the excitement. Once again Matthew comes in contact with his nemesis. He can never seem to shake her. Will this be their final showdown?
There were some light moments, which made me smile despite the danger the group faced. Yes, there were also several heart pounding moments when I feared they would not survive. However, their resilience and hunger for survival proved stronger than the danger which surrounded them.
I enjoyed The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure and recommend it without reservation. Do you love adventure and are a fan of Indiana Jones, then you will love Mathew Connor Adventures? I guarantee you will never have a dull moment. This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading
Matthew Connor is an adventurous archaeologist and treasure hunter, a dreamer. This is not my first adventure with him, and I feel it won’t be my last. We never know where we will be going and what we will be after, but Indiana Jones step aside and make room.
Matthew and his friends search out the answers to legends, such as City of Gold. Feel free to ask Google, because Carolyn Arnold takes ‘true’ stories and makes them her own.
Today, we will be traveling with Gaspar, or Gaspiralla as his friends know him. He is a pirate that sailed the Gulf of Mexico and Spanish Main in the late 18th and 19th century. Is it a myth, a legend? There is an island named after him and Tampa has a festival, so draw your own conclusions.
Carolyn Arnold is not afraid to write in more than one genre, and I am so happy she does. Matthew Connor is one of my favorite series because I love to travel to distant places and she takes me all over the world, yet also writes of events in our neck of the world.
The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is action packed, filled with suspense and danger. The peripheral characters shine with their own talents and uniqueness that adds to this wild adventure where lives are lost and treasure found.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure by Carolyn Arnold.
A warm and welcome addition to Carolyn Arnold's series "Matthew Connor Adventures", The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is another step into the world of Matthew Connor and his cronies, Cal Myers and Robyn Garcia, as they take on finding the location and retrieval of the sunken treasure of Gasparilla's pirate ship, the FloridaBlanca. Finding that ship turns out to be follow0the-dots simple. Keeping it, that might be a whole other story... REVIEWED on January 13, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure by Carolyn Arnold is the third standalone installment in the Matthew Connor adventure series.
"You can't seriously be thinking that we'd hop on a plane in pursuit of a treasure that might not even exist." Matthew grinned. "That statement pretty much sums up exactly what we do."
I've previously read The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh, which is the second book in the series, and loved it!
The book opens with archaeologist and adventurer Matthew Connor attending an exhibition that's meant to get people excited about his book series about his adventures.
The truth is Matthew is procrastinating the writing process and I loved how Arnold portrayed the procrastination process. As a writer, I totally related to Matthew then and there.
After the exhibit, Matthew is approached by a Professor Mel Wolf who claims he found an ancient diary by famed pirate Gasparilla. After much debate, Matthew agrees to Wolf's proposition and drags his friends Robyn and Cal along to search for Gasparilla's treasure.
"I expect you to succeed in securing this diary for me. Do we have an understanding?" "Yes, ma'am." "Very good. do whatever you have to do. Kill whoever you have to."
As soon as they decide to embark on the journey, the trio and the Professor are attacked by armed men who chase them across Washington D.C., which makes the search for Gasparilla's treasure a personal matter for Matthew. Not to mention, going on a new adventure means delaying writing his book.
Here's a writing tip from Arnold and Matthew's editor ;)
"His editor, Riley Zimmer, had told him more than once, "People like danger, Matthew. It sells books. That's why thrillers are the number one genre out there."
Like its predecessors, The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is narrated in several third-person perspectives, primarily Matthew's but the view point include those of Robyn and Cal as well as Detective Colin Doyle and the bad guy.
As Matthew and his friends head for Spain, we learn that there is some back history to Mel Wolf and the diary and that during the Washington chase a woman was killed in her bed by a rogue bullet, which brings into the story a Detective Colin Doyle.
One of the things, I liked about The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is the character assembly. We have the trio from the previous books, some backstory to each, and we meet Daniel, who is the aide for Matthew's father but also a deep and well-connected character who may have been some kind of Special Forces agent at some point in his life.
Matthew's friend Cal is the constantly sarcastic one, offering tons of humor despite the evident and endless danger. I also felt that Cal and Robyn are more mature characters than Matthew, whose character flaw is impulsiveness, which puts his friends in danger. Still, the trio acts as each other's backbone.
I was a little confused by the names when it came to the pirates and their first mates. Each had a name or two. But that didn't stop me from enjoying the book.
"You are a dreamer, Matt. You really want to hop on a plane for Spain, on the word of man you just men, in pursuit of a mythical pirate's treasure? We don't even know where in Spain."
The scenes travel between the United States, Spain, Canada and I won't tell you where else but it's one hell of an amazing ride.
I could easily lose myself for a couple of hours reading The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure and an exhilarating couple of hours they were!
There are lots of flashbacks from the first book in the series City of Gold, a book I plan to read.
Overall, I loved Carolyn Arnold's The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure. The book is full of travel, adventure, wild chases, danger, mysterious people, and everything in between.
"When you set out after a legend, nothing is for certain, but we weren't left with much choice. As the saying goes, we were between a rock and a hard place. If we didn't try, Sophie was dead."
Oh by the way this series including The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure would make for a great movie!
Note: I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure by Carolyn Arnold from its publisher Hibbert Stiles in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Whenever I crave mixing up my genre’s, Carolyn Arnold always has a book for me, this time in the form of ‘The Legend Of Gasparilla And His Treasure’, an exciting story of adventure, action and treasure hunting.
The book focuses on Matthew Connor, a treasure hunter who discovered the Lost City Of Gold belonging to the Inca’s. Matthew is more focused on the action of adventures, than he is plugging his book deal, but when he attends a conference to give a speech and open the exhibit of his findings, little does he know it will be the first step in what will be another exciting journey of discovery.
After the conference, Matthew and his two friends Cal and Robyn are approached by a scruffy looking professor named Mel Wolf. Mel claims to have discovered an ancient diary that hints that a pirate has buried his treasure somewhere in Spain. Matthew is sceptical, trying to work out why a complete stranger would approach him, but he can’t help but feel excited at such a prospect of pirates treasure. A sucker to adrenaline and the hunt, Matthew agrees to pursue the treasure, and twists the arms of his reluctant friends. But little do they know they may not be the only ones on the hunt, and with a wild car shootout, and random strangers following them, will they be able to the locate the treasure, and will it all go according to plan?
This book is full of non-stop adventure. As a reader, you are equally excited about the prospect of treasure and the fantasy of the pirate Gasparilla, so follow Matthew and his friends page by page of their journey, uncovering the same clues as they do, and trying to solve the case.
This book has something for everyone, it has mystery, crime/murder, the excitement of a chase, and a little bit of romance on the side. It was extremely well written and thought out, and made me wonder whether any of the book was true, or what gave the author inspiration to write such a tale.
I love the dynamic of Matthew and his friends Robyn and Cal, their protective bond with each other is what makes them a successful trio.
Lots of unexpected twists in this book, all that have you on the edge of your seat and gripping the book tighter and demanding to know the end. A great book that is the perfect read for all adventure seekers, and those looking to get embroiled in a mystery.
The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure by Carolyn Arnold is the 3rd book in her Matthew Connor Adventure series. Matthew Connor, our hero, is a famed Archaeologist, and the lead in this series. Matthew comes across as a modern-day Indiana Jones, and his two friends, Robyn & Cal, are always part of their escapades. This is an exciting & fun series, as Arnold takes us on an adventure to Spain, to find the lost treasure of a famous pirate, José Gaspar.
Matthew is approached by a professor, who claims to have a diary of the famed pirate, that will lead them to where the treasure is. At first, he and his friends decide they do not want to get involved, as they know nothing about this man. But when they are attacked, Matthew, Robyn, Cal and the professor, Mel are on the run from someone trying to kill them.
What follows is an exciting, action filled, intense, edge of your seat adventure that constantly has us in suspense. Upon arriving in Spain, they with the help of an ally, manage to retrieve more information and a map from a museum, where a helper is killed. They manage to survive, and head to where the map details the possibility of the buried treasure. For every step they take, danger and death threaten from all sides. As in each of the books, there is the same villain, who once again steps in to take over the possible findings, and during a battle, they lose someone helping them. There were so many dangerous situations they had me holding my breath. To tell too much more would be major spoilers, which would ruin it for you. You really need to read this book.
Carolyn Arnold has written an amazing story, describing everything in detail, giving us wonderful visions of Spain, with the wreckage of the ship and a buried coffin. I loved Matthew, Robyn and Cal, as they made a great team. This was a fun and exciting book, which once again I thoroughly I enjoyed very much. I look forward to more from the Matthew Connor Adventure series. Carolyn Arnold has created another winner.
Before I start my review, I would like to say thank you for the publisher, Hibbert and Stiles for sending me an advanced copy of this book.
This is the third book in the Matthew Connor series; an action packed novel following the myth of Spanish pirate Jose Gaspar, or is it? I have read all three books in the Connor series and each one has kept my expectations high. Arnold is a fantastic writer and I have read a large quantity of her crime novels. The Conner series just goes to show that Connor can put her hand at another type of genre and still keep the same level of writing, action and suspense.
The novel picks up where we left off and follows archaeologist Matthew Connor attending an exhibition to promote his book series which catalogues his adventures. Following the adventure, Connor meets Professor Mel Woolf and eventually agrees to a new adventure; the search for Gasparilla's treasure. Following on from this, the book follows the view points of several characters including those from the previous book and some new characters such as Daniel. We get some back story of the characters whilst also following the adventure. I enjoy reading a bit of back story of characters as I feel this really creates some extra atmosphere to the novel.
What I also really enjoy about Arnold's writing is that she really does her research. There was lots of twists and turns throughout and the overall book really kept me hooked. It was another great, fast paced page turner of a book. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series and I hope that Arnold really keeps up the level of action and expectation. I would also recommend that you read the other books in this series and not just pick this one up straight off. The novel does have flashbacks between the other novels. But it is definitely worth the wait and time to read all books in the series; you won't be disappointed!
I am a huge Carolyn Arnold book and have never been disappointed while reading one of her books. The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure did not disappoint either!
This book is book 3 in the Matthew Connor series and I highly recommend reading them all; but this book can be read as a stand-alone without feeling lost. There are mentions of past situations and people, but it wasn’t anything that hindered the current story. (I have read the previous books – at least book 2 – and could not recall some of the details mentioned, but that did not stop my enjoyment of this read or confuse me at all. It can absolutely be read as a stand-alone, but I promise you, you will want to read the other books when you are done so you may as well read book 1 and book 2 before reading book 3!)
Matthew, Robyn, and Cal (the three musketeers of the Matthew Connor Adventures) set out on a new treasure seeking adventure – this time, for a legend involving a pirate and buried treasure. A legend that they aren’t even sure is real.
There are characters that we are introduced to and don’t know whose side they are; characters from the past come back to life; and the suspense is never ending.
Interestingly, hubby is not much of a reader, but was watching a show about some treasure hunters this morning and I recommend he try the Matthew Connor series. I hope to get him as hooked as I am because they really are a great, suspenseful read.
The chemistry between our three musketeers is amazing. Their adventures are something I could only wish to be a part of (minus the scary bad guys that always seem to show up!) Their finds are amazing. The romantic attraction (while not a main plot but always lingering) gives the heart a little tingle. Carolyn Arnnold’s books always have everything I want in a good read.
I highly recommend all of her books. They are all amazing and you will be sucked in and find yourself reading these books in no time at all. I highly recommend them!!
Matthew Conner is one of my favorite characters to take a journey to parts of the world I've never seen (and probably never will!). His adventures were intense through City of Gold as well as The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh. I highly recommend starting the series by reading the first two books prior to jumping in. This will give you background into the character's personalities and quirks.
As soon as Professor Wolf approaches Matthew, Cal, and Robyn with information about hidden treasure in Spain, I couldn't wait to see where the adventure would take the crew. Cal and Robyn are hesitant since this treasure hunt was dropped in their laps with not much to go on, including trust in the source of information. When the group has their lives put on the line, it becomes evident that they NEED to take on this adventure - even if it ends being nothing more than legend.
Arnold's twists and creation of such an adventure are thought out with such incredible detail. The descriptions make everything appear as though it's directly in front of you. You can almost feel, touch, and even smell everything in each scene. As the group builds allies, loses some, and finds their own lives in peril, the hair will stand up on the back of your neck and you'll be covered in chill bumps.
The bond between the group never ceases to amaze me. Their support and love for one another are tested to the extreme. We get a blast from the past in the form of evil, making you wonder if the trio will all live to tell the tale of The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure.
Absolutely the best yet in the Matthew Conner Adventure Series!
I received a complimentary copy for reviewing purposes -- all opinions are my own.
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. This is the third book in the Matthew Connor Adventure series. Since I read the first two books, City of Gold and The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh, I was looking forward to reading this book.
Matthew Connor is a world-renowned explorer whose recent adventures included finding the City of Gold. He now has a book deal and a new exhibit opening at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History in Washington DC. While there, he is contacted by a history professor who wants his help finding the treasure of Gasparilla. Matthew and his friends are hesitant because no one really knows if Gaspar was an actual person or just a legend. When the professor gives them a little proof, they still aren’t fully on board until two goons with guns hunt them down and chase the four of them through the streets.
The Legend of Gasparilla and his Treasure is full of adventure and with that adventure is, of course, danger. It also has murder, mystery, and suspense. The characters are unique and interesting. Cal, one of Matthew’s best friends, used to annoy me, but he’s grown on me. He’s always negative even when he shouldn’t be! Mel, the professor who wants their help, is hard to read. I felt like he wasn’t telling them everything. I felt the same way about Angelica at first.
I enjoy Carolyn Arnold’s writing and look forward to the next Matthew Connor book. The Legend of Gasparilla and his Treasure does stand on its own. If you like adventure and suspense, you’ll like all of these books. This one is my favorite Matthew Connor book so far, though.
This is a review of an e-book I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.
This is the third title in the Matthew Connor action-adventure series and is fine as a stand-alone read.
The story has a slow start but you know there is more to come from both the blurb and prologue. Professor Mel Wolf tantalises Matthew and his friends with a tale of murder and pirates treasure. Hours later they find themselves being chased under gunfire. Matthew is now sold on the idea of finding the treasure, but first he phones Daniel to check out Mel’s credentials, although he doesn’t reveal details of the quest. They then all remove SIMs from their phones to avoid tracking before Matthew charters a plane.
Meanwhile not only is Daniel investigating, but so are the police. A stray bullet has gone through a wall and killed someone. Who can piece what together?
And once Matthew’s group reach Spain, who can they trust? More deaths follow along with plenty of twists and turns.
A gripping story from a brilliant author who has multiple series on the go. This would certainly make a good film.
This is yet another amazing story from Carolyn Arnold! Matthew, Cal and Robyn are settling back into their normal lives after their last adventure, and Matthew is writing a book about their treasure hunting.
A man with a secret approaches them, talking about a century old diary and pirate treasure. Matthew's interest is piqued, but the man vanishes, only to return that night, being chased by some goons with guns. The trio are forced to run for their lives and try to find the treasure before their biggest enemy can snatch the treasure and their lives from them.
This story is wonderfully fast-paced, and will keep you up at night, begging to be finished! It has it all... treasure hunting, intrigue, lust, friendship, near death experiences, and lots more. While this is the third in the series, it is readable as a stand alone book (although I definitely recommend going back and reading them all! You won't regret it).
I was given an ARC to read and review, but all views are 100% my own.
The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is yet another great mystery by Carolyn Arnold. Matthew Connor along with his friends Robyn and Cal are sucked into a hunt for Gasparilla’s lost treasure. Fasten your seat belt as this amazing treasure hunt will lead the trio on a dangerous journey from Washington, to Spain, to Mexico. As they embark on this incredible adventure, they will find themselves confronted by their past nemesis, and learn that they have been manipulated from the start. A wonderfully fast-paced thriller. I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
A thrilling new installment in the series, you'll be swept away by the group's love of adventure and the promise of legends come to life. Although I recommend reading the other books in the series, this can definitely be read on its own. I lost myself in the pages for a few hours, completely caught up in the search for fabled pirate treasure, with all the danger and excitement my cousins and I used to imagine pirates had as kids.
I bought the three books as they were offered as a set, I don't often take a leap like that, and the whole experience has put me off doing anything like that again. The characters are flimsy, the plots child like, and the overall writing style a bit clunky for my taste. It's just my opinion, the author has good reviews, and a clear fan base. I'll not be reading any more. I'll be sticking to the staple of Mariani, McDermott, Berry and Rollins in this genre for a while.
I have really missed Mathew, Robyn, Calm and Daniel! So loved, to purchase this long before it came out. It was very goof as well as the group head out on a ? Legend. An old villain pops up creating more chaos to the mix. Harrowing adventures continue to follow the team. Pick it up and you will enjoy it! Solid read. Now to wait for the next adventure
Matthew and his friends are approached by a man to find the lost treasure of Gasparilla. Matthew informs this man that he is not a treasure hunter for hire that he just enjoys looking for lost treasure. After giving the man’s proposal some thought Matthew can’t pass the man’s offer up. So Matthew and company set out for Spain to prove or disapprove the legend of Gasparilla and find his lost treasure.
After accepting the offer to look for the lost treasure Matthew and his friends lives are thrown into danger as they are chased down back alleys and over fences while being shot at resulting in a murder. I felt so bad for the man who lost his loved one I was in tears it chocked me up so.
The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure is a fast paced read that will keep the pages turning with all the action, suspense, and danger it will keep you racing to the end to see how it all turns out, searching for the lost treasure. There are a few times when Matthew really has you on the edge of your seat with the situations he finds himself in, hoping he makes it out alive.
I enjoy reading the Matthew Connor Adventure stories so much they remind me of those Indiana Jones movies. When I am reading the Matthew Connors Adventure storie the words jump off the page at me and I feel as if I am right there with Matthew and all his friends as they are looking for the lost treasure. I would truly love to see the Matthew Connor Adventure stories on TV I think they would make a great series. I am anxiously waiting the next adventure in the Matthew Connor Adventure stories.
I highly recommend The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure to all mystery, suspense, action, adventure, danger and searching for lost treasure fans. One click your self a copy of The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure today to begin this wonderful adventure with Matthew Connor today! And while you are clicking why don’t you go ahead and one click your self a copy of the first two books as well, City of Gold and THE SECRET OF THE LOST PHARAOH!
This book was a roller coaster ride that I did not want to end. I love this book and this author. I rec- ommend this book and I am sure you will enjoy the ride.
Another unpredictable adventure with Matthew and his friends, seeking adventure, hunting treasure and becoming a target for greedy rivals. Loved it and I can't wait to find out where he goes next!
The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Carolyn Arnold is the Queen of Mystery and Suspense and HRH clearly shows once more, why she definitely deserves the honorific, with her third Matthew Connor Adventure, The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure.
An outstandingly different kind of artefact hunt for the Robert Langdon-like Matthew Connor, sees friends Matthew, Robyn and Cal, fresh from their last adventure (in the amazing City of Gold), approached in a most unusual manner, then embroiled in a new quest, in which they're unknowingly stalked by Matthew's Nemesis and her manipulated minions.
Can the friends survive the perils and (well-meant in some cases), interference of third parties, to uncover Gasparilla's legendary last secret?
Get your copy of the fantastic, well-written and entrancing The Legend of Gasparilla and His Treasure, by the fantastic Carolyn Arnold, to find out. It's guaranteed to make you forget your Covid-19 fears and Lockdown Blues, as this rip-roaring Matthew Connor adventure knocks Indiana Jones' into a cocked (or tricorne) hat, while sounding a siren song to visit 'Poseidon's Playground' beneath the waves and return with 'Titanic' treasures, both literary and emotional - it's a 5-star winner!