Treasures of the Lochs

By: Hunter White

Narrated by: Laura Darrell

Length: 12 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's summary

A long-lost treasure, a deadly chase, and a magnificent beast of legends

For almost three hundred years, people have searched for one of the greatest treasures in history—the lost gold of the Scottish Jacobites. Following his father’s death and a brazen late-night break-in at the United States Naval Academy, Lieutenant Carter Porter, his life and career in tatters, unwittingly joins the quest.

In Scotland, Hassie Douglass, a spirited young employee of a luxury inn situated on the picturesque shores of Loch Ness, thinks her prayers have been answered when she stumbles across four old gold coins that may be part of the Jacobite treasure. But she can’t tell anybody how she really found them; they would think she had lost her mind. Who would believe she followed a strange, ethereal voice emanating from the loch? Struggling to accept what she heard, she can’t deny that the gold in her hand is real.

The allure of such a valuable cache draws evil, like the moth to a flame. No sooner does Carter receive a strange bequest from his late father and Hassie’s find is publicized than a shadowy, well-armed group of mercenaries attacks each of them. Soon, Carter’s and Hassie’s fates are joined, and their survival depends on solving more than one ancient mystery while facing their worst nightmares.

Blending historical fact and Scottish legend within an action-packed adventure, Treasures of the Lochs is an exciting, powerful story of faith, friendship, and redemption.

©2023 Hunter White (P)2023 Greenleaf Book Group

An Engaging, Well-Executed Story

Treasures of the Lochs is a very enjoyable and engaging story–a mélange of thriller, treasure hunt, fantasy, and historical fiction, all of which are pulled together by well-developed characters and beautifully described settings. One of the protagonists, Carter Porter, is deeply flawed and yet he has been created in such a manner that I found myself continuing to root for his personal redemption (which does come, albeit with a price as actions do have consequences). The other protagonist, Hassie Douglass, is an exuberant Scottish teenager who in some ways (particularly in putting the needs of her ailing grandfather above her own) seems to be the antithesis of Carter at the beginning of the story. She is responsible beyond her years, yet still filled with the enthusiasm of youth. One could easily see her as a companion of the Doctor (i.e., Doctor Who), cavorting across time and space in the TARDIS, helping others.

Initially, there are two separate storylines (Carter and Hassie), but eventually they are drawn together by the fabled Jacobite treasure. As their story develops, Hassie becomes, in many ways, a surrogate daughter to Carter, who after losing his own young daughter to SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood) had spiraled into despair and alcoholism, costing him his career and potentially his marriage. Protecting her allows him to think beyond himself and puts him on the path of personal redemption (although this is, quite realistically, neither quick nor without numerous self-inflicted set backs).

The supporting characters (particularly those aligned with the protagonists, Royce and Carter’s wife, Mary) are well-developed, believable, and likeable. Their main adversary, Avery Darrow, is a very nasty piece of work, also deeply flawed, but well past the point of redemption.

The non-human characters, Scrounge and Fiogy (Nessie’s actual name), are also well-developed and become characters with whom one also becomes invested. When Scrounge is shot by the Russian henchman, it was so disturbing that I had to pause and continue the next day. I suspect that other readers/listeners may have also been deeply affected. However, this was not gratuitous violence as Scrounge’s return to health was an integral part of the narrative and would not have been as effective by a less intense situation.

The Scottish Highlands and its people are also a key part of the story. Hunter has done a outstanding job of describing the area and capturing the nuances of the land, as well as its people and their culture. When the Scottish police showed up at the castle with guns, my initial thought was “Wait a minute; police in the U.K. don’t carry guns”; however, a few lines later, it was revealed that this was an armed response unit, which is armed and deployed in situations such as a possible terrorist attack. His attention to detail (both physical and cultural) is masterly. The Author’s Note, which provided the historical facts underlying his story, was further evidence of his meticulous approach to researching and crafting this story.

As noted above, this was an enjoyable and engaging story, and is highly recommended. I hope that Hunter has another story to tell about Carter, Hassie, Mary, Royce, Scrounge, and (hopefully) Fiogy.

Laura Darrell’s narration (particularly the speech of the Scottish characters) was excellent.

Amazing story and narrator

I really thought the story was great. The characters were interesting and well-developed and I loved how the narrator, Laura Darrell, was able to use so many accents, from Scottish to Russian, English and American, it all blended beautifully. I liked that the story had a lot of action, some fantasy, and the characters developed a friendship and trust. I loved the dog, Sir Scrounge, Honorable Knight of the round pail. The ability of the characters to willingly put themselves in danger to help each other is so brave. This book kept my attention and I highly recommend it. I also appreciated that the author stated what was real and what he created. I want to go to the Naval Academy chapel now to see John Paul Jones burial place.

Keeping you on the edge of your driver seat!

This is a great story, one that will keep you wanting to stay in your car to finish. the details make it hard to believe it's a novel. The narrator is so vivid and makes the different characters come alive. I highly recommend it if you are interested in thriller or mystery books!