Flash of Gold

Sean O'Brien, Book 12

By: Tom Lowe

Narrated by: Alex Knox

Length: 14 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

In the world of maritime treasure hunting, former college professor Walt Baker is about to hit the lottery. More than 300 years ago, the legendary Spanish galleon Santa Ramona sank in a hurricane somewhere off the coast of Florida. The ship was carrying gold, silver, jewels, and artifacts worth an estimated $10 billion in today’s dollars.

With $10 billion at stake, the best criminal minds will scheme to take what’s not theirs. When they try to frame Sean O’Brien’s friend Nick Cronus for the murder of one of Walt Baker’s divers, O’Brien begins to put the puzzle pieces together and sees a frightening picture...not only for Nick, but also for Walt, his daughter, and every member of the salvage crew.

When one of the richest treasures in nautical history is found on the ocean floor, the sharks start to circle. And as they come closer, they begin enclosing around one man, because the only thing standing in their way to recover billions is Sean O’Brien.

©2021 Tom Lowe (P)2021 Tantor

very good read

excellent story. the reader was much better this time. I hope there will be more

BEST SERIES EVER!!!!!

I'm so sorry that this is the last book to date in this series. I've enjoyed all 12 books with the exception of Book 11. The narrator changed and it was TERRIBLE. However, I need to give credit where credit is due. After Alex Knox narrated Book 11, he must have listened to the voices that Michael David Axtell created throughout the series because in Book 12 he did MUCH MUCH better. He will never duplicate the voice of Michael David Axtell but it was easier to listen to the story in Book 12. All of the stories in this series were so good that I couldn't begin to choose a favorite. I sincerely hope that this series continues with many more releases in the future.

Shipwreck Bounty

As an unabashed fan of Tom Lowe's Sean O'Brien, I was thrilled to listen to another outing with one of my favorite fictional characters. A long time reader and more recently listener on Audible, I found Mr. Lowe's first novel looking for a Florida based fictional character since I grew up there. Many years ago, I was a huge fan of John D McDonalds' Travis McGee. While Travis McGee is a one of a kind, Sean O'Brien comes as close as any in recreating the feel and mystery of the Florida geography.

For the uninformed, Sean is a former Miami detective and service veteran, that left his job after the death of his wife. While "retired" from police work, he finds himself in the middle of mystery and crime helping others. Joining Sean are his boat owner friends Dave a former CIA operative and Nick Cronus. And, of course, Sean's constant companion Max, his little dachshund.

This story opens with Nick enjoying a friendly poker game at a local dive. When one of the losing participants flashes a gold coin allegedly from a sunken treasure ship, the mystery is on. When the man is murdered, Nick becomes the prime "person of interest" having been the last to see him alive. Sean, as his nature, gets involved to help his friend and we are off to a fast paced mystery and murder adventure with Sean and company.

I was a little tough on the narrator of the last novel due his mispronunciation of a famous Florida city. He has been replaced by Alex Knox, who has it down pat and does a great job with different voices for Sean, Nick, Dave and other characters in the story. A really fine job all around.

The worst part of any Sean O'Brien story is when it is over and having to wait for the next one. For anyone who has not started the series, I would say get on board for a great ride. Mr. Lowe does not disappoint.

Sean O’Brien series

Alex Knox Should not be reading books out loud narration is terrible I love the Sean O’Brien series but the way he speaks Alex Knox I will never listen to anything he reads again