Could NOT put this treasure down!
357557
Seriously could NOT put this book down!  Loved the pace and the characters.  Who am I kidding?  I loved everything about this book and can't wait to see what the rest of the series brings!
299749
Fantastic From The First Sentence! As an author myself, I can tell you the frustrations of creating stories that are deeply connecting to the reader. This is one story I could not put down, and once I did, the sigh of contentment and the feeling of having read a fantastic adventure was more than I have experienced in several years. This was a novel that will sit with you for days afterwards. The characters are that good!

Adventure, strong women characters, historical accuracy, romance, and a great supernatural intrigue are some of the descriptions I would leave for the next reader without spoiling any storyline. This is the first novel I have read from this author, so I am excited to investigate more!

Enjoy!
1342107
I loved the originality of the plot for this story! I wasn't able to guess what was coming next as I often can and the characters had such rich qualities on the page that I fell in love with them. I can't wait to read other books by this author!
642015
Miss Amelia Peabody, the heroine of this adorable mystery is left a small fortune by her father, an antiques scholar.  She is the no-nonsense (almost stereotypical) 'middle aged' English woman who is quite happily, single.  In fact, at 32 years of age, Amelia has no interest in men and enjoys dressing as plainly as possible.  Since the story takes place in the 1880's, Amelia must have a female traveling companion and quite fortuitously rescues the exquisite, sweet, blue-blooded Evelyn Barton-Forbes.  Together the women go on a wonderful journey that leads them down the Nile to the ancient burial chambers of Khuenaten.  It is here where they are reacquainted with the Emerson brothers who are excavating the burial sites.  And thus, the adventure begins.
I loved this little novel.  There is adventure, mystery, a lot of ancient history and even romance.  In fact, I couldn't put this book down!  The title refers to a poem found in an ancient scroll.  Walter Emerson (Evelyn's love interest) translates the hieroglyphics into lovely verses that Amelia explains as, "The crocodile is a symbol of the dangers and difficulties any true lover would risk to win his sweetheart."  And naturally, the poem is a reflection of what happens in the book.  I can't wait to read the next one!
I also want to echo another reviewer and thank AMAZON for their wonderful lists.  I have discovered the best books because of you!
2267442
This book is an absolute Treasure !
 Once I picked it up, I was engrossed, and couldn't put it down. It was engaging and thought provoking for me on many levels.
Flashes Of Light inspired me to forward the action on several projects that have already contributed greatly to my own sense of peace about mySelf and my world. I look forward to continued inspiration.
678235
This book caught my attention from the very first page.  It was intriging and continued to stay that way throughout the book.  The storyline is so interesting, and has many surprises, twists and turns from chapter to chapter.  I got my attention and kept it!  This adventure turned into an important life message for us all.  I recommend this book!  If you are interested in a good mystery that contains something more that will resonate with the possibilities of what we all can become, you will love this book.
3922758
I absolutely loved this book...I can see Tom Hanks in the movie role as the lead character! If you love treasure hunts, murder and mystery all rolled into one then you will love this book!  I really could not put it down and when l came to the last page and closed the book I knew I would be purchasing the next Jefferson Tayte adventure which I am now taking a few minutes break from to write this review and now a few chapters in I am again hooked!
1456964
I must admit, I'm not an avid reader but when I start reading a book as beautifully written and as exquisite as Fortune's Rocks, I can't stop. This book had me, from its first paragraph to the last word, captivated. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough and yet regretted reaching the very moment it would end. I wish there were another 400 pages to continue reading.
 Shreve has done an excellent job in painting the perfect setting and describing beautifully the time period of 1899. She has outdone herself in the creation of Olympia Biddeford and John Haskall. Two characters I wish I could know because I have fallen in love with them both. Olympia is a girl I can't even begin to describe, but she has found a place in my soul and I am envious of the her class, character, and most of all her lovestory. It was very hard to let go of her and her story; it was difficult to close the book after the last page.
I can't begin to describe the love, passion, detail and controversy found within the pages of Fortune's Rocks, but I can tell any reader out there not to pass up this story. It has changed the way I feel about love altogether, not just romance, but love for family and children as well.
Please, should the opportunity to read this book land in your lap, take it quickly, for you will have no regrets!
4476911
I could not put down this book! It's now one of my new favorites.
2211617
I am a mother of three and thourghly enjoyed this adventure! I was captured in the first chapter and could not put it down for the next 3 days until I was done. The action, character development and plot twists definitely kept the story moving. I also enjoyed the elements meant for deeper contemplation and the feeling of being uplifted and inspired at the end. The book was a pure joy! I would love to see more by this author.
411037
I was riveted to my chair reading this gem and you will be too! The Secret in the Forest is the first mystery I have been enticed to read in its entirety. Considering I am 67 and have the same name, Nancy Drew (a family name), as the Nancy Drew mystery series (which I couldn't get interested in as a child), I think that is significant. I could not put this delightful book down, so I read it in one evening sequestered on my sunporch with my feline companion. Reminiscent of my childhood, the forest and farm scenes were totally delightful, scarey, intriging and surprising! Loved milking the cow from a child's perspective and countless other scenes! I was very impressed at how the 2 boys cleverly and carefully uncovered the name of the murderer, all the while being forbidden to enter the forest, they did just that time and time again! I was seriously scared for the safety of the 2 boys toward the end when the identity of the murderer was revealed. In my mind this was really happening! I positively loved it, and you will too! Whether you are child, adult or senior!
3339035
I could not put my Kindle down once I started to read!  I first met Dunworthy in To Say nothing of the Dog and now I am reunited with him!  Lovely.  The character of Colin was absolutely delightful even though a bit on the unbelieveable side.  He is so dedicated to Dunworthy and his Great Aunt and gobstoppers!  I hesistated to get this book because, give me a break, who wants to read about "The Plague".  The events leading up to the outbreak and discovery of when Kivrin really landed were very entertaining and thought provoking.  Rosamund's engagement for instance is a subject we've seen in a lot of historical romances, but it was not dwelt upon to the point of nausea.  It only took the author 3 or 4 sentences to make her point.  All in all a grand adventure for a snowy afternoon.  If you love Connie Willis as I seem to have, you will love this book.
101103
This book certainly has everything I want in a good book. Wonderful characters, a good storyline, plot twists and plenty of adventure.  As soon as I started reading, I could not put this book down because the story kept moving at such an exciting pace. I will certainly buy anything this author writes in the future and I have already started on the next book in the series. A wonderful read!
2141206
This is truly and incredible read and it is so worth the purchase. I was so pulled in that I barely wanted to put the book down, and even though life and work forced me to, there was always that strong urge to pick it back up when I had free time. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read. I encourage everyone who comes across this piece to give it the time of day, I laughed, I cried, I  was caught by surprise and I was satisfied. If there were more stars available, all of them would be highlighted.
1162848
This book is such a treasure trove . . . A thrilling read of constant discovery.
We live in a complicated world and this amazing piece of scholarship reveals how it came about. Everything we take for granted. How it happened. From the plough to the microchip, I was constantly surprised and excited to discover how things really came to pass. The story of so many individuals' struggles to improve and innovate is inspiring.
This is a big book. When I began I had no idea of what riches it would be reveal. (the eBook version is easier to handle) but every pages offers new insights. A great and absorbing read.
608236
A wonderful fantasy/romance novel that you won't be able to put down!  The story is rich and detailed, constantly inviting the reader to become lost in the world of Tellanmere and the lives of the characters.  Not only is this a wonderful love story, but also a captivating adventure, pulling the reader through the lives of rangers, pirates, and royal spies.  A definite read for any lover of fantasy!
3611559
The Serpent's Treasure is amazing. I have known Elaine T. Cook since she was a toddler and when I read her book, I couldn't believe that the little girl I have known for over 30 years had written this. It truly is a remarkable story with many twists and unexpected turns that kept me glued to its pages to see what would happen next. I could hardly put it down. I am really looking forward to the next book.