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The Curse of Cortés
In 1672, Henry Morgan took 36 ships and 2,000 men to sack Panama City for a $1 billion plunder and 600 slaves. Afterward, Morgan cheated his men, disappearing with nearly the entire treasure, and 200 slaves on three ships never to be seen again. Morgan alone survived as a haunted man who hid away in drunken debauchery, and burned his log books to keep the world from learning the terrifying truth. True story.
Three hundred years later, Sophia Martinez discovers odd relics hidden within a 200-year Roatan Island family home that reopens a legacy of disappearance, dementia and death. At the center of the mystery is a bloody log book written by an insane Inquisition executioner named Cortés.
With a Mayan prophecy psychopath in pursuit, Sophia will need the help of lost relatives to uncover a sacred pilgrimage to the origins of the Mayan creation myth. Time is running out to decode the macabre enigma and escape the deadly necropolis or they too will vanish without a trace – and an apocalypse will unleash on live television.
Three hundred years later, Sophia Martinez discovers odd relics hidden within a 200-year Roatan Island family home that reopens a legacy of disappearance, dementia and death. At the center of the mystery is a bloody log book written by an insane Inquisition executioner named Cortés.
With a Mayan prophecy psychopath in pursuit, Sophia will need the help of lost relatives to uncover a sacred pilgrimage to the origins of the Mayan creation myth. Time is running out to decode the macabre enigma and escape the deadly necropolis or they too will vanish without a trace – and an apocalypse will unleash on live television.
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 13, 2021
16 people are currently reading
533 people want to read
About the author
Guy Morris
6 books645 followersOften compared to Dan Brown, Michael Crichton, Robert Ludlum and others, Guy's books earned the Reader's Favorite GOLD Award for SWARM, and SILVER Award for The Last Ark, Literary Excellence Award for THE IMAGE, and listed on BookTrib 2021 Favorite 25 Books, for The Curse of Cortes, calling it Indiana Jones meets Da Vinci Code.
Guy Morris is a retired business executive for Fortune 500 companies, published song writer for Disney Records, inventor, Coast Guard charter captain, adventurer and author influenced by men of the Renaissance fluent in politics, religion and science. From Latin America to the Pacific, and from the Board Room to recording studio, Guy pulls from a rich life of experience. Guy’s books are written to thrill, educate and inspire thoughtful dialogue on real issues facing humanity.
His articles have been published on SDVoyager and Mystery & Suspense magazines.
Guy is a frequent podcast expert guest with over a 100 guest spots and 100% 5-star rating.
He is also the founder of the Author Event Network, an author association to engage in signing events at local fairs, festivals and events. In 2024, AEN scheduled over 80 days of author signing events in the Pacific NW.
Guy Morris is a retired business executive for Fortune 500 companies, published song writer for Disney Records, inventor, Coast Guard charter captain, adventurer and author influenced by men of the Renaissance fluent in politics, religion and science. From Latin America to the Pacific, and from the Board Room to recording studio, Guy pulls from a rich life of experience. Guy’s books are written to thrill, educate and inspire thoughtful dialogue on real issues facing humanity.
His articles have been published on SDVoyager and Mystery & Suspense magazines.
Guy is a frequent podcast expert guest with over a 100 guest spots and 100% 5-star rating.
He is also the founder of the Author Event Network, an author association to engage in signing events at local fairs, festivals and events. In 2024, AEN scheduled over 80 days of author signing events in the Pacific NW.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 11, 2021
Impressive book cover! As I am already a fan of the genre, I have to say that this book is a real page turner, and while reading, bear in mind that some of the story is true! Incredible and thrilling story with a brilliant characters! Excellent book!
November 10, 2021
A book that you will remember for a long time. The Curse of Cortes is a book that weaved easily mysterious and thrilling themes together. A must read book, this a captivating and entertaining novel! A real gem!
November 10, 2021
Having in mind that some of the story is trues and some added, this is a real page turner! The author, famous for his intelligent and deeply researched action thrillers managed to conquer my imagination from the very beginning till the end! Brilliant!
November 11, 2021
A memorable book by a talented author! Captivating story with beautiful and interesting characters, this book is an unusual nail-biter that won't let you stop reading till the end!
July 2, 2021
I won the kindle edition of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and cannot wait to read it!
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December 15, 2021THE CURES OF CORTES is an adventure story about the search for treasure and power, both in ancient and modern times. This is a perfect title for readers who enjoy an exciting story with great characters and lots of action. It’s also a great choice for anyone who loves exploring the lesser-known, darker corners of history.
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2021/12/06/india...
Read our full review here:
https://booktrib.com/2021/12/06/india...
July 27, 2021
Loved the story and all the interesting characters the author created for this novel.
June 30, 2023
I loved it - 4/5 stars (only because I’m stingy & don’t read enough action thrillers to compare it. I can only compare my imagination of the story to action movies… if I read suspense/thrillers, I could justify giving this 5 stars in comparison to other written works of the same genre.)
This could easily be an action movie but deserves a mini series to closely follow and explain all the characters and scenes.
Nothing should be cut or condensed. I can’t think of any part of this story that feels unnecessary or bloated (the mark of expert writing).
There are several “main” characters and threads, when originally introduced seem unrelated. But when their connections become clear, and the storylines start to overlap, the plot surges forward. It quickly becomes clear how each player and separate series of events will tie together.
The villain(s) of the story are entrenched and powerful, but realistic. A massive conspiracy with agents and spies everywhere… but limited in what forces they can bring to bear at a specific target or location. I believed each of the narrow escapes & small victories of the heroes throughout the early and middle chapters. None feel contrived or required only to advance the plot, like many big budget action movies have used to push the story on.
For a Seattle writer, the level of detail and information about the southern American regions, crime, and politics feels very researched and again completely believable. (Sadly, in the amount of corruption and the wide sweeping influence of a drug cartel)
The only thing that feels unrealistic & like an “action movie contrivance” is the primary villain, the result of many years of wealth and power, leading to “hiding in plain sight” and “manipulating on a National / regional scale”. But it’s well described and explained how the villain ascended to this point - and the bad guys always are more powerful or established than the heroes, or the stakes and consequences are lessened and the story not gripping.
Watching the heroes, individuals and small groups, hinder and escape the plans and actions of the far reaching and powerful evil conspiracy is compelling and believable enough to forgive the “action movie villain” head of the cartel. But again, it’s well explained how this enemy starts off the story so powerful and hidden. It’s not just “the vast conspiracy/powerful enemy exists so the heroes don’t win too easily & the audience has someone to hate and be shocked by.”
In the later chapters, near the end of the book (and the last few scenes of the film), one of the characters is placed in an impossible position - but the escape is still very believable, if a bit obvious (following the action movie tropes). However, it's exactly what anyone would do in that situation if they were able to stay focused and determined. The character doesn't suddenly develop action hero abilities because the story demands a miraculous escape.
And when all the threats have been overcome, the wrap up feels rooted in realism. No 'people thought dead somehow survived'. The curse, broken. The crime syndicate, headless. The survivors, in a very good position to continue their lives. All that you'd expect from a major motion picture ending and done well, with logical explanations and fortunate circumstances, but it didn't hinge on truths and treasures revealed and obtained throughout the journey.
I really enjoyed reading this, and I'm awed by the amount of research and imagination that went into the novel. It's well worth the purchase. (Or if you're lucky, a free read at the library... but honestly, buy a copy.)
This could easily be an action movie but deserves a mini series to closely follow and explain all the characters and scenes.
Nothing should be cut or condensed. I can’t think of any part of this story that feels unnecessary or bloated (the mark of expert writing).
There are several “main” characters and threads, when originally introduced seem unrelated. But when their connections become clear, and the storylines start to overlap, the plot surges forward. It quickly becomes clear how each player and separate series of events will tie together.
The villain(s) of the story are entrenched and powerful, but realistic. A massive conspiracy with agents and spies everywhere… but limited in what forces they can bring to bear at a specific target or location. I believed each of the narrow escapes & small victories of the heroes throughout the early and middle chapters. None feel contrived or required only to advance the plot, like many big budget action movies have used to push the story on.
For a Seattle writer, the level of detail and information about the southern American regions, crime, and politics feels very researched and again completely believable. (Sadly, in the amount of corruption and the wide sweeping influence of a drug cartel)
The only thing that feels unrealistic & like an “action movie contrivance” is the primary villain, the result of many years of wealth and power, leading to “hiding in plain sight” and “manipulating on a National / regional scale”. But it’s well described and explained how the villain ascended to this point - and the bad guys always are more powerful or established than the heroes, or the stakes and consequences are lessened and the story not gripping.
Watching the heroes, individuals and small groups, hinder and escape the plans and actions of the far reaching and powerful evil conspiracy is compelling and believable enough to forgive the “action movie villain” head of the cartel. But again, it’s well explained how this enemy starts off the story so powerful and hidden. It’s not just “the vast conspiracy/powerful enemy exists so the heroes don’t win too easily & the audience has someone to hate and be shocked by.”
In the later chapters, near the end of the book (and the last few scenes of the film), one of the characters is placed in an impossible position - but the escape is still very believable, if a bit obvious (following the action movie tropes). However, it's exactly what anyone would do in that situation if they were able to stay focused and determined. The character doesn't suddenly develop action hero abilities because the story demands a miraculous escape.
And when all the threats have been overcome, the wrap up feels rooted in realism. No 'people thought dead somehow survived'. The curse, broken. The crime syndicate, headless. The survivors, in a very good position to continue their lives. All that you'd expect from a major motion picture ending and done well, with logical explanations and fortunate circumstances, but it didn't hinge on truths and treasures revealed and obtained throughout the journey.
I really enjoyed reading this, and I'm awed by the amount of research and imagination that went into the novel. It's well worth the purchase. (Or if you're lucky, a free read at the library... but honestly, buy a copy.)
June 4, 2023
This is easily one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a long time. The author takes a complex set of characters and storylines and weaves them together so skillfully. Incredible depth of research makes the unbelievable plausible. The settings are unfamiliar and captivating. Absolutely loved this book - and I read hundreds of books each year. This is a winner.
July 7, 2021
Really enjoyed ready this book . Some of it truth some not. It kept me ready till the end . Loved how it jumped to the different people till they all came together. Excellent book highly recommend.
March 5, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love an author who knows how to take a historical event and spin it into a modern and exciting fictional story.
September 12, 2025
This book was fantastic! It has something for everyone. A bit scary, a little thriller, intrigue, mystery, romance, treasure, pirates, family, comedy- everything. Read it! You will love it!
August 19, 2025
This book was absolutely amazing in my eyes and couldent have been written any better and the author did a truly amazing job when writing this book
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews