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 … 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!
“Matthew Connor…a modern-day Indiana Jones.” –The Reading Café
“Matthew Connor and his closest friends…make up a treasure hunting team, the likes of which would make Indiana Jones proud.” –I Read What You Write!
What readers say about books in the Matthew Connor Adventure series:
“If this was a movie series, I’d be the first in line to buy my ticket!!!” –Cinnamon Hollow
“I could picture this on the big screen. The darkness under the desert. The chill of opening hidden chambers. Being trapped with snakes all around you. No idea if help will come in time. Yep, it would be a great movie.” –FuonlyKnew about The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh
“This is definitely akin to an Indiana Jones story set in modern times.”–Martha’s Bookshelf about City of Gold
“A thrilling and fun adventure that I recommend to anybody who loves the Indiana Jones movies and has always been intrigued by archaeological mysteries.” –Just Olga about The Secret of the Lost Pharaoh
“If this novel isn’t made into a movie, I will be VERY surprised!! It definitely reminded me of Indiana Jones (one of my favorite movie series of all times!!) There are enough thrills and twists and turns to keep the attention of any lover of adventure thrillers. –Miki’s Hope about City of Gold
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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 skeptical 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.
Conclusion/Recommendation
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.
Great read
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.
The Matthew Connor adventure series is full of excitement and suspense. Lots of action keeps the story flowing and has me on the edge of my seat. Each book in this series has left me wanting more, and especially this one. This time around, Matthew finds himself outrunning danger while trying to discover a pirate’s treasure. I would love for these books to be made into a TV series or movie! If you enjoy movies like Indiana Jones, you will absolutely love this series as much as I do!
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!
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.
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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.
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!