No good deed goes unpunished. This favour may turn fatal.
Grand Cayman. AJ Bailey lives to dive. So despite her friend Jonty’s troublesome reputation, she willingly agrees to help him acquire a precious artefact, lost to the world for centuries. But the dangerous underwater caves may be the least of her problems.
The mystery behind the treasure they seek is slowly revealed as the tragic tale of an 18th century plantation, and its family of slaves, unfolds. Meanwhile, Jonty and AJ struggle to find the artefact - and stay ahead of Jonty’s shady investor.
Can AJ recover the priceless relic before Jonty's world, and the lethal caves, come crashing down?
Solomon’s Well is the fifth book in the page-turning AJ Bailey Adventure Caribbean suspense series. If you like determined heroines, blue-water action, and intriguing historical mysteries, then you’ll love Nicholas Harvey’s edge-of-your-seat tale.
A USA Today bestselling author, Nicholas Harvey's life has been anything but ordinary. Race car driver, motorsports professional, adventure traveller, divemaster, and since 2020, a full-time novelist. Raised in England, Nick has dual UK and US citizenship and now lives nomadically wherever he and his amazing wife, Cheryl, choose to land for a few months. He is the author of the Nora Sommer Suspense, Kat Cromwell Mystery, and AJ Bailey Adventure series, as well as multiple collaborations.
Jumping into AJ Bailey Adventure book five was a breeze (maybe a… tropical breeze?) But, honestly, Harvey made it easy to jump in and just enjoy the book. And honestly, it felt like I read two books, not just one. The story bounces around between the present day and a historical point of view. It was awesome to hear both sides of the story (where it came from vs where it was now).
When the book would go back to the past it was to Solomon and what life was like as a slave during that time (and raising a child in that culture). When we jumped to the present we had AJ dealing with people and her own personal issues along with helping a “friend” retrieve a priceless relic – while also dealing with poachers and other things that the job runs into.
Solomon’s Well was one of those books that just breezed by. Harvey’s writing style really shined here and each character felt like they were there for a reason. And each situation the characters were thrown into felt like it had a purpose to the full story arc.
Add in the excellent narration by Kim Bretton and this was a book (and a series) that I’ve come to love. AJ is such an interesting and funny character. And the people she surrounds herself with (purposefully or the ones that cling to her) were all great supporting characters. Bretton did a great job voicing the characters and performing this story without overdoing it and it really showed the time and energy she put into it.
Overall, Solomon’s Well was a fun read that jumped back and forth, all-the-while, keeping my attention and making me want to know what happens next
GENRE: Adventure • SETTING: Grand Cayman | Past & Present • PLOT: There is rich history on the island of Grand Cayman. And when a technical diving treasure hunter determines the suspected location of buried treasure, he is determined to find it. But, so is his “investor”. . In a tale woven between two stories, centuries apart, this novel tells some important history of Grand Cayman, but with a treasure hunting twist. Back again is dive boat operator AJ Bailey and her cast of support. • OPINION: I can’t say it enough! I ❤️ these dive adventure stories! Having grown up diving Grand Cayman, it’s so fun reading books based in the same waters I have been. I love the characters in these novels and enjoy the heart pounding suspense that each one builds! Hoping to meet Nick Harvey on a dive boat in the Caribbean one day! And in the meantime, transporting myself to the island during times of quarantine... • STAR RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 • *Please note: I received a pre-lease copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!*
The story takes the reader back to a time of slavery with modern results for A J..
A cross of silver with jewels was in possession by a slave family. They were keeping it hidden until a time it could be reveled and used to enhance their life. In this quest it was hidden in an old well. Through a diving acquaintance A J is brought in to help find the cross as now it can only be reached by diving from the sea. Throw in unsavory characters along with heart stopping underwater action and Nicholas Harvey has delivered another Five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Star adventure.
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The treasure was a silver cross with four emeralds
Grand Cayman was a long way from the place of its origination and creation. The silver and emeralds alone made it valuable but the historic significance added thousands to this rare relic. Excellent characters, cave diving, dangerously tight areas, and always the threat of gangsters hanging over any recovery. Another fascinating read in the series and well worth the time.
Overall I liked the book, especially moving back and forth between the present and historical times. However, I had to deduct a star for AJ's diving forays in the tunnels/cave by herself. I'm a long-time diver and you just don't do that. Ever. Especially in the apparently tight places she was supposed to be in, and then removing her gear to crawl in further. I know it's all fiction, but that kind of ruined it for me somewhat.
Yet again, Harvey delivers another great adventure! Love the continuing development of returning characters, realistic and vivid under and above water action and an interesting historical story woven throughout. Edge of your seat suspense in every book! A great series that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Highly recommend!
I love two stories in one book. Several authors do this and Mr. Harvey does it very well. Storylines are engaging and entertaining. I love the characters in this series! Mr Harvey took a real artifact, The Cross of Potosi, and gave it a twist!! The backstory from the 1800s was heartbreaking. We’ll have to see if AJ will encounter the “character” Jonty again.
Graphic, heartbreaking prose regarding the history of cotton and slavery in the Caribbean Islands. The story arcs came together beautifully, with AJ as the heroine once again, always showing she is as flawed and human as the rest of us mortals! Can't wait for the next book of her adventures...
Four and a half stars. Another excellent AJ Baily adventure book. i did not give it five stars as i thought the back story of the slaves got a bit complicated and distracted from the pace of the book. I understand the desire to bring out the 1800's slave trade, but the story became just a bit too involved. Otherwise , another hit for Mr Harvey
Harvey has a knack for mixing historical with modern all in a beautiful land with amazing diving adventures! Who doesn’t want to try mermaid divers now! PADI should pay Nick Harvey for getting all these people interested in diving.
I liked how this story went back and forth from the 1800s to present day. The author portrayed the life of the slaves and the land owners in a believable manner. The divers and the cave dives lent excitement to the story. I enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.
Great reading, kept me interested in the story and looking forward to more mystery and Wondering what was going to happen next, am looking forward to reading more stories of AJ Bailey adventures.
I liked the characters both those from the 1800's and the present day. I got a bit tired of the every other chapter bounce from one time to the other. I thought the ending was interesting but somewhat abrupt.
Liked the story and the switching between the historical and present was a nice touch. It provided some back story and insight into the history (?) of the artifact. Ill read more of these tales
Great characters with fast pace action. Set in the Cayman Islands. They are after a cross cross the 1600s,v silver with emeralds from Spain. Lots of history.
Enjoyable reading, shame the ending didn't explain what happened to the characters who were freed . Worth reading and looking forward to the next instalment
Great adventure. Moves along nicely with interesting plot points. This is book 5 in a series that I haven’t read before. No problems in picking up mid-series without feeling lost.