What do you think?
Rate this book
Path Of Treasures
A hired killer is no match for an innocent, young mule driver on the Erie Canal.
Bounty hunter Wolfe McKay has another job to do. An easy job. Kill the crew on a small canal boat, then collect his bounty from the wealthy railroad tycoon who hired him. Easy, hell. The misfit crew on Streeter’s Ark are nothing at all what he expected, especially their mule driver.
Sara grew up on the Erie Canal with Jeremiah Streeter and Sam, the Ark’s bully. At 19, she’s playful and mischievous and knows nothing about the wily ways of the world...or men. Not until their helmsman is murdered and they hire Wolfe as a replacement.
As Streeter’s Ark travels from Albany to Buffalo, the crew discovers there is more than one hired gunman trying to kill Sara and Wolfe is the only one who knows why. Will he have a change of heart?
A riveting murder-mystery with an historical account of life on the Erie Canal in 1852, the friction between the canallers and railroads, and the coming of age of a beautiful mule driver.
Bounty hunter Wolfe McKay has another job to do. An easy job. Kill the crew on a small canal boat, then collect his bounty from the wealthy railroad tycoon who hired him. Easy, hell. The misfit crew on Streeter’s Ark are nothing at all what he expected, especially their mule driver.
Sara grew up on the Erie Canal with Jeremiah Streeter and Sam, the Ark’s bully. At 19, she’s playful and mischievous and knows nothing about the wily ways of the world...or men. Not until their helmsman is murdered and they hire Wolfe as a replacement.
As Streeter’s Ark travels from Albany to Buffalo, the crew discovers there is more than one hired gunman trying to kill Sara and Wolfe is the only one who knows why. Will he have a change of heart?
A riveting murder-mystery with an historical account of life on the Erie Canal in 1852, the friction between the canallers and railroads, and the coming of age of a beautiful mule driver.
200 pages, ebook
First published November 16, 2020
5 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Gail Meath
21 books296 followersGail Meath is the author of the multi-award-winning Jax Diamond Mysteries, a fun 1920s series about wise-cracking PI Jax Diamond, his courageous German Shepherd partner, Ace, and Broadway star Laura Graystone, as they, along with a crazy group of friends, solve some of the toughest crimes in New York City. She is alternating that series with her new 1930s Golden Age of Hollywood mysteries series, Stone & Steele, starring Vivian Steele, a widow seeking justice, and Preston Stone, a playboy vigilante. As always, she blends the most lovable characters with a good, solid mystery.
Gail also has a list of other award-winning historical romances, westerns, and fictional biographies of true heroines. She lives in a small village in Upstate New York with her husband and their sweet Boston Terrier, and she spends loads of time with her grandchildren. Connect with Gail at www.gailmeath.com or Facebook @GailMeathAuthor.
Gail also has a list of other award-winning historical romances, westerns, and fictional biographies of true heroines. She lives in a small village in Upstate New York with her husband and their sweet Boston Terrier, and she spends loads of time with her grandchildren. Connect with Gail at www.gailmeath.com or Facebook @GailMeathAuthor.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
April 3, 2021
For lovers of old-school historical romance, this will satisfy. The time period and circumstances are the center of the book, with the romantic relationship slowing building. The history is well researched and doesn’t stumble over made-up facts and nonsense like so many HisFic romances do just to get to the romance fun. The female MC is well handled and genuine. She’s tough as could be expected for a barge crew member, but also realistically feminine and vulnerable, especially considering the time. There’s more to the book than just the history and romance, there’ a cozy little murder mystery involving intrigue and competitor greed, fitting well in the time period of cheap life. On the whole, it was an easy read with some action, relatable characters, and good flow from chapter to chapter. Gail knows her stuff and I look forward to more things from her.
February 28, 2021
This story is full of danger, mystery, love, devotion, and family. This is my first book by Gail Meath but will definitely read more. You take trips by boat, pathways, and horseback. You don't know who you can trust. Reading this story makes you feel like having eyes in the back of your head. At times you will laugh out loud, other times will leave you crying, and heart broken.
February 20, 2021
Streeter’s Gang: What a treasure!
Streeter’s Gang: The Beginning
And what a beginning it was. Gail Meath is a gifted story teller. Path of Treasures is an historical fiction set around the Erie Canal during the 1850s. A few pages in and you immediately cannot put it down. The main characters are endearing, you will love the strong bond they share. The plot has unexpected twits, lots of mystery, action, funny moments as well as very tender ones.
A good story teller is when it is so believable. Gail Meath does not disappoint. And her research and her knowledge of the era brightly shine. Now I am waiting for Streeter’s Gang: « The Next Chapter ».
Streeter’s Gang: The Beginning
And what a beginning it was. Gail Meath is a gifted story teller. Path of Treasures is an historical fiction set around the Erie Canal during the 1850s. A few pages in and you immediately cannot put it down. The main characters are endearing, you will love the strong bond they share. The plot has unexpected twits, lots of mystery, action, funny moments as well as very tender ones.
A good story teller is when it is so believable. Gail Meath does not disappoint. And her research and her knowledge of the era brightly shine. Now I am waiting for Streeter’s Gang: « The Next Chapter ».
February 16, 2021
This story is a treasure to read with its well woven plot and its intriguing characters - loved the quirkiness of some and enjoyed getting to know some. Loved every page and was totally captivated. Full of mystery, action, drama, danger, and suspense and some romance thrown in, I found this book to be a definite page turner. Loved learning about some of the history involving the railroad and canallers; found it to be very informative and interesting. Loved the interaction between the characters, their attitudes, and the special bond that was developed between some.
July 18, 2021
A well written story with a well thought out plot. Intreging, believable characters. A heart pounding adventure. Interesting! Captivating! A real page turner filled with mystery, action, drama, suspense, romance, and danger. What else could one ask for? Read! Enjoy!
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
March 12, 2021
Gail Meath delivers an exciting and intriguing romance in the Wild West with Path of Treasures! A hired gun is sent to kill the crew of a canal boat, but when he runs across a young woman on the boat, will he have a change of heart? Meath captures the feel of the Wild West perfectly, and I really enjoyed the dynamic between the diverse array of characters! The romance was great in this one, but I also really enjoyed that there was a greater plot going on filled with intrigue and building towards a larger series. If you love the West or historical romance with plenty of action, come ford the river in Path of Treasures!
March 28, 2021
This is an amazing book. I like how no matter who she actually is, she knows who she is and she didn't let anything change her. I love that she is smart, and figures things out. Nobody realizes just what she is capable of. Great book, great story, love the characters.
February 15, 2022
I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more of her books.
March 16, 2021
Path of Treasures by Gail Meath took place in the Hudson Valley in 1852. I found this to be a very engaging story. There is so much to love about it. There is the historical aspect, the drama and the romance.
Horace Vanderbrook believes Jeremiah Streeter is blackmailing him. There has been a rivalry between the canallers and the railroads. The canal was still the main route of shipment and transportation for travelers and merchants. Now they have competition from the railroads. Horace hires bounty hunters Cole Anderson and Wolfe McKay to take care of the problem of the blackmailers.
Jeremiah believes that Sara is the daughter sent by the angels to him. He found her floating downstream in a basket some 19 years before. Sara has been loved, cared for and cherished by Jeremiah, or better known as Cappy, and Sam. She is a hard working mule driver on the Erie Canal and knows the canal business well.
Wolfe McKay asks Cappy for a job and he hires him much to Sam’s dismay as he doesn’t trust this half-breed Indian. The story gets more exciting as the adventure progresses and keeps you guessing. Sara faces many challenges and is also awakening to the attraction that she has for Wolfe. There are many twists and turns which made it hard to put this book down. There were also light and tender moments, romantic ones and some that brought tears to my eyes.
I was impressed with this story. I found the historical aspect of the Canals, Packets and donkeys that pulled the packets so interesting that I was doing Google searches about canals. I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am happy to leave this review voluntarily.
Horace Vanderbrook believes Jeremiah Streeter is blackmailing him. There has been a rivalry between the canallers and the railroads. The canal was still the main route of shipment and transportation for travelers and merchants. Now they have competition from the railroads. Horace hires bounty hunters Cole Anderson and Wolfe McKay to take care of the problem of the blackmailers.
Jeremiah believes that Sara is the daughter sent by the angels to him. He found her floating downstream in a basket some 19 years before. Sara has been loved, cared for and cherished by Jeremiah, or better known as Cappy, and Sam. She is a hard working mule driver on the Erie Canal and knows the canal business well.
Wolfe McKay asks Cappy for a job and he hires him much to Sam’s dismay as he doesn’t trust this half-breed Indian. The story gets more exciting as the adventure progresses and keeps you guessing. Sara faces many challenges and is also awakening to the attraction that she has for Wolfe. There are many twists and turns which made it hard to put this book down. There were also light and tender moments, romantic ones and some that brought tears to my eyes.
I was impressed with this story. I found the historical aspect of the Canals, Packets and donkeys that pulled the packets so interesting that I was doing Google searches about canals. I highly recommend this book.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free, and I am happy to leave this review voluntarily.
September 30, 2022
I find this author's work to usually contain a well balanced match of adventure and romance, and this story continues that approach. I also found the historical aspect particularly interesting. I was aware of the economical importance of the British Canal system during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but had no idea that there was a similar development, slightly later in the Great lakes area of the US. In both cases, the development of the railways meant the decline of the canals, yet the media, at least in my experience, has concentrated on the railways opening up the Western US. Gail Meath has successfully woven the story of her main character, Sara, into the conflict between water and rail.
If I had any complaint, it would be that the ending felt rushed after an impressive build up, although I still consider it worth five stars.
If I had any complaint, it would be that the ending felt rushed after an impressive build up, although I still consider it worth five stars.
January 26, 2021
I love historical romances and this one did not disappoint. I loved the characters and their journey throughout the book. I can't wait to read more by this author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2021
Path of Treasures sends us back in time to the western days of horses, outlaws, boats, pathways and proper manners.
Men like Cole and Wolfe are exceptional. They may be hired hunters but before they take action they make sure who is really the guilty party.
Their latest mission is to kill the crew of Streeter's Ark. Upon further investigation not only do they find the truth but another secret no one is aware of.
You will laugh out loud, shed a tear, be heartbroken and yeehaw!
Thank you Booksirens and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Men like Cole and Wolfe are exceptional. They may be hired hunters but before they take action they make sure who is really the guilty party.
Their latest mission is to kill the crew of Streeter's Ark. Upon further investigation not only do they find the truth but another secret no one is aware of.
You will laugh out loud, shed a tear, be heartbroken and yeehaw!
Thank you Booksirens and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
February 23, 2021
This, yet again, is not my normal genre. I went out of my comfort zone and ordered. Ended up so surprised at how much I enjoyed. Good character development. I loved Wolfe, Cappy, and of course Sara. There were other quirky little characters I enjoyed along the way, too. The storyline is, however, what kept my attention. There were a lot of twists and turns. Once you thought you knew what would happen, the author threw in a twist. Loved that. I'll be looking for more novels by Meith.
February 23, 2021
I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am reviewing it voluntarily
I just loved this story such engaging characters and in a different vein to most romances
I loved Sara her narrative was great what an interesting time for the setting of a romance too
Fell in love with Wolfe myself what an honourable man!
Loved the twist at the end
Fab book
I just loved this story such engaging characters and in a different vein to most romances
I loved Sara her narrative was great what an interesting time for the setting of a romance too
Fell in love with Wolfe myself what an honourable man!
Loved the twist at the end
Fab book
March 14, 2021
Page turning good
Sara is led on a heart pounding journey of mystery, adventure and romance. Plot twists keep you turnjng pages the whole time. Great read!
Sara is led on a heart pounding journey of mystery, adventure and romance. Plot twists keep you turnjng pages the whole time. Great read!
March 17, 2021
Path of Treasures is a unique novel. It is a journey. The story is captivating, the characters are amazing.
Overall, I can say, this book is a great read!
I recommend!
Julie,
BooksShelf Reviewer
Overall, I can say, this book is a great read!
I recommend!
Julie,
BooksShelf Reviewer
November 12, 2022
a walking pace builds suspense and romance
Gail Meath's wonderfully evocative descriptions lend a great authenticity to this historical novel. Set on the Erie Canal in the heyday of the mule-towed freight barges, this story pulls together labor tensions, greed, murder, blackmail, and the coming of age of nineteen year old Saratoga Streeter. Sara disguises her gender and drives the mule team for Cappy Streeter's barge. Sam, the crewman, and Cappy are the only family Sara has ever known, yet she, and Cappy's barge, are somehow targeted by an unknown and determined assailant. Meanwhile, Wolfe and Cole, two bounty hunter/detectives, are hired by a railroad magnate to assassinate one of his rivals in the canal barge business. Their paths cross Sara's, and the tangled threads of mystery, murder, and deceit wrap Wolfe's and Sara's fates inextricably together. The slowest of slow burn romances and the bonds of family - or the lack thereof - are the emotional counterweight to the suspense and violence. It's well written, engrossing, and a long read best reserved for a leisurely winter weekend by a roaring fire, and this is my independent and voluntary ARC review.
Gail Meath's wonderfully evocative descriptions lend a great authenticity to this historical novel. Set on the Erie Canal in the heyday of the mule-towed freight barges, this story pulls together labor tensions, greed, murder, blackmail, and the coming of age of nineteen year old Saratoga Streeter. Sara disguises her gender and drives the mule team for Cappy Streeter's barge. Sam, the crewman, and Cappy are the only family Sara has ever known, yet she, and Cappy's barge, are somehow targeted by an unknown and determined assailant. Meanwhile, Wolfe and Cole, two bounty hunter/detectives, are hired by a railroad magnate to assassinate one of his rivals in the canal barge business. Their paths cross Sara's, and the tangled threads of mystery, murder, and deceit wrap Wolfe's and Sara's fates inextricably together. The slowest of slow burn romances and the bonds of family - or the lack thereof - are the emotional counterweight to the suspense and violence. It's well written, engrossing, and a long read best reserved for a leisurely winter weekend by a roaring fire, and this is my independent and voluntary ARC review.
January 31, 2022
A little treasure.......
This is a little treasure of a book, with a well-thought out plot, captivating characters and a journey into the life of working on the Erie Canal in the 1850s.
The story is tenderly woven together and has a beautiful balance of bringing mystery, suspense and danger together with love, devotion and family. The main character, Sara, is incredibly likeable and endearing alongside a colourful and eclectic mix of other characters.
It is evident that Gail is a talented storyteller and a fantastic researcher into history. She has a special talent of bringing the past to life.
This is my first Western style book that I have read and initially thought that it might not be quite me. However, I have absolutely loved this read and have gained a glimpse into a time period and way of life I didn't know anything about.
Thank you so much to the author, Gail Meath, and Book Sirens for a free copy of this book. I received an advance reading copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a little treasure of a book, with a well-thought out plot, captivating characters and a journey into the life of working on the Erie Canal in the 1850s.
The story is tenderly woven together and has a beautiful balance of bringing mystery, suspense and danger together with love, devotion and family. The main character, Sara, is incredibly likeable and endearing alongside a colourful and eclectic mix of other characters.
It is evident that Gail is a talented storyteller and a fantastic researcher into history. She has a special talent of bringing the past to life.
This is my first Western style book that I have read and initially thought that it might not be quite me. However, I have absolutely loved this read and have gained a glimpse into a time period and way of life I didn't know anything about.
Thank you so much to the author, Gail Meath, and Book Sirens for a free copy of this book. I received an advance reading copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 24, 2020
There was a little bit of everything to appeal to all readers as well as a swoon worthy leading man. I find it interesting that the author chose the name Wolfe for the lead and it fit this character well. Gail did an awesome job with character development and the storytelling was at the right pace, unfolding nicely throughout. There are a couple of things that need a bit of polishing, but nothing to detract from lovely story. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves murder, mystery, romance and a touch of humor.
July 5, 2021
This is a must read! Characters are awesome. The plot is exciting and intriguing. Saratoga is precious and someone you will admire. I got such a kick out of her! I don’t like to say to much but enough to pique your curiosity so you’ll want to read this awesome story. Gail Meath is definitely an author you’ll want to add to one of your favorite authors. Thank you Gail for suggesting this story for me too read! I simply loved it and couldn’t put it down!
Happy reading every one!😊
Happy reading every one!😊
March 4, 2021
From the opening paragraph of Path of Treasures to the stunning last line this adventure is filled with danger, romance and mystery. The history of the Erie Canal is brilliantly interwoven into the story of Cappy, and Sara. I highly recommend this page turning jewel of a story.
January 5, 2021
This is the Beginning of the Streeter’s Gang series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Saratoga Streeter and Bounty hunter Wolfe McKay's story of suspense, drama, danger, murder, secrets, and romance. I want to read the next book. This is a new Author to me. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 24, 2021
James Magnus, Reader's Favorite - 5 STARS
"Gail Meath’s Path of Treasures is a riveting look at an aspect of American history few know about. I loved reading about Sara’s adventures as a hoggee, typically youths who guided tow mules along the pathways lining the Erie Canal in the nineteenth century. Meath’s plot outlines the growing friction between canallers and the railroads, educating her readers as they follow the story of a powerful railroad magnate determined to destroy Sara’s family and the mystery of the culprit behind the escalating violence following trains and canallers alike.
Her characters are well-defined and credible, and watching as Sara comes of age under pressure is memorable indeed. Path of Treasures is well-written and fast-paced. The story is illuminating and powerful, and the hints of romance spice up the tale. It’s most highly recommended."
"Gail Meath’s Path of Treasures is a riveting look at an aspect of American history few know about. I loved reading about Sara’s adventures as a hoggee, typically youths who guided tow mules along the pathways lining the Erie Canal in the nineteenth century. Meath’s plot outlines the growing friction between canallers and the railroads, educating her readers as they follow the story of a powerful railroad magnate determined to destroy Sara’s family and the mystery of the culprit behind the escalating violence following trains and canallers alike.
Her characters are well-defined and credible, and watching as Sara comes of age under pressure is memorable indeed. Path of Treasures is well-written and fast-paced. The story is illuminating and powerful, and the hints of romance spice up the tale. It’s most highly recommended."
February 5, 2021
1852, Hudson Valley. Cole Anderson (white, hired killer/bounty hunter) & Wolfe McKay (Apache, 1/2-breed bounty hunter partner) came to see Horace Vanderbrook (52, wealthy railroad baron).
Captain Jeremiah Streeter (canal coalition leader) is the owner of Streeter’s Ark (freighter), & he/crew have used want to destroy my railroad business.
The final offer agreed upon by the 2 hired guns was: $10 grand, $1,000 up front & the rest when Streeter & his crew are dead/buried by this time next week.
Fultonville, NY, Inn/Tavern. Cole started up a conversation with Zach (62, barkeep).
Erie Canal. Sara (19, mule driver) was hard at work & suddenly something Lundy (tiller) fell overboard.
By the time Sam (lifelong BMF, deckhand) got there Lundy had disappeared down/under the river.
Sam had pulled the dead body out of the water.
Fairport (village), NY. Captain Jeremiah “Cappy” Streeter (Canallers Coalition head, peg leg) reported Lundy’s death to George Ripley (area law officer).
Folks were still talking about the steersman who was found hanging over the Rensselaer Bridge.
Mallet’s Tavern was full to the capacity.
Wolfe (wanderer) were conversing with Cappy (1/2 Irish) & Sam.
Cappy wanted to hire Wolfe for the steersman job.
A shipment of lumber had to be delivered to Rochester, NY then pick up a cargo of grain & head for Buffalo, NY.
Sara Saratoga got all cleaned up & headed for the arcade.
But 1st she got caught stealing 5 licorice sticks.
Mr. John Fletcher (wealthy) paid the owner for them & bailed her out with Constable O’Malley.
John took Sara to get ice cream & listen to her life story.
Sara came to check on her mules, 2 of them Shem & Eve had their bellies sliced open & gutted.
All the innards were thrown about the room.
Cappy didn’t waste any time bought her 2 new mules.
1 night Sara listened to Wolfe’s life story.
Gertie tavern. The owner had Sara cleanup & gave her 1 of the former roomers cloths.
No one had ever seen Sara like that, & now they knew she wasn’t a boy.
Wolfe McKay had taken off on horseback headed for Rome.
Cappy introduced Cole to everyone.
Dick Howser’s (canal liaison) boat had been sabotaged. It sank at Schoharie Crossing when that storm hit.
He/his crew were trapped underneath & all drowned.
Cole (20+) was going to walk the mules with Sara.
The Ark was loaded & ready to go.
Japheth, Esther, Cappy (tiller), & Wolfe (Apache, 20) were all aboard.
The Ark reached the Albany, NY docks. The lumber/cargo were unloaded.
Land’s End Cemetery (Hudson River) Father Gooden said the eulogy for Cappy.
Sheriff Yudelson (Kingston) informed the crew members the witness to Cappy’s murder Pamela Dusky’s (Vanderbrook’s maid) body was found beaten/stabbed.
What will Sara find out later?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written historical fictional western book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great 19th-Century western movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Captain Jeremiah Streeter (canal coalition leader) is the owner of Streeter’s Ark (freighter), & he/crew have used want to destroy my railroad business.
The final offer agreed upon by the 2 hired guns was: $10 grand, $1,000 up front & the rest when Streeter & his crew are dead/buried by this time next week.
Fultonville, NY, Inn/Tavern. Cole started up a conversation with Zach (62, barkeep).
Erie Canal. Sara (19, mule driver) was hard at work & suddenly something Lundy (tiller) fell overboard.
By the time Sam (lifelong BMF, deckhand) got there Lundy had disappeared down/under the river.
Sam had pulled the dead body out of the water.
Fairport (village), NY. Captain Jeremiah “Cappy” Streeter (Canallers Coalition head, peg leg) reported Lundy’s death to George Ripley (area law officer).
Folks were still talking about the steersman who was found hanging over the Rensselaer Bridge.
Mallet’s Tavern was full to the capacity.
Wolfe (wanderer) were conversing with Cappy (1/2 Irish) & Sam.
Cappy wanted to hire Wolfe for the steersman job.
A shipment of lumber had to be delivered to Rochester, NY then pick up a cargo of grain & head for Buffalo, NY.
Sara Saratoga got all cleaned up & headed for the arcade.
But 1st she got caught stealing 5 licorice sticks.
Mr. John Fletcher (wealthy) paid the owner for them & bailed her out with Constable O’Malley.
John took Sara to get ice cream & listen to her life story.
Sara came to check on her mules, 2 of them Shem & Eve had their bellies sliced open & gutted.
All the innards were thrown about the room.
Cappy didn’t waste any time bought her 2 new mules.
1 night Sara listened to Wolfe’s life story.
Gertie tavern. The owner had Sara cleanup & gave her 1 of the former roomers cloths.
No one had ever seen Sara like that, & now they knew she wasn’t a boy.
Wolfe McKay had taken off on horseback headed for Rome.
Cappy introduced Cole to everyone.
Dick Howser’s (canal liaison) boat had been sabotaged. It sank at Schoharie Crossing when that storm hit.
He/his crew were trapped underneath & all drowned.
Cole (20+) was going to walk the mules with Sara.
The Ark was loaded & ready to go.
Japheth, Esther, Cappy (tiller), & Wolfe (Apache, 20) were all aboard.
The Ark reached the Albany, NY docks. The lumber/cargo were unloaded.
Land’s End Cemetery (Hudson River) Father Gooden said the eulogy for Cappy.
Sheriff Yudelson (Kingston) informed the crew members the witness to Cappy’s murder Pamela Dusky’s (Vanderbrook’s maid) body was found beaten/stabbed.
What will Sara find out later?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written historical fictional western book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great 19th-Century western movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Goodreads; Making Connections; Making Connections discussion group talk; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
February 20, 2021
I made the mistake of leaving this download on my kindle for about a week, and reading several other books in that week, so that by the time I turned to reading Path of Treasures, I had forgotten it's description.
Thus, when I began reading it one night, I concluded after about an hour, that it was a Young Adult book aimed at tweens, albeit with the occasionally odd borderline inappropriate bit of content.
This assumption largely arose from my sense early of one of the main characters, Sara, as much younger than it turns out she's actually meant to be.
Part of this assumption arose from the fact that she's apparently successfully hiding her female-ness from most people, and, if she's doing this at nineteen, as she is apparently actually meant to be, than she must be much less, um, physiologically developed then a lot of nineteen year old women.
This is probably a pet peeve of mine, when young women do this "I'm pretending I'm a boy!" thing successfully so much in fiction - looking like a boy at relatively close quarters hasn't seemed remotely like an option (without medical intervention) for me since I was about 12. Perhaps I'm a bit envious?
Also, I found early on that the story used relatively simple language (with some historical exceptions) and the plot seemed fairly straightforward, reinforcing my belief it was meant for young adults.
But it's not!
And so I read on the next morning with this new knowledge that I was not reading a book targeted at young adults after all.
By the fourth day of reading, when I finally got around to finishing this book, I'd concluded that this is perhaps a "New Adult" book - I'm not sure because I don't think we even had a "new adult" category waaaay back when I was one.
It doesn't really matter. What this is mostly is, is a historical novel set along the Erie canal, with murder, conspiracy, romance, and mules.
There were some things that grated against my (non-expert) sense of how things worked historically - one of the characters is, I believe, black, but he faces no racial bias that I could perceive even though the story is meant to be set in 1852. I was also left unsure of his relationship to another character - were they - employer/employee - "just friends" or - life partners? There were also some word choices that struck me as 'suspicious' - did people really refer to others as 'hard core' in the 19th century?
Plus there were a few typo and grammatical errors, I noted.
But the setting is unusual, and that there is knowledge of the Erie canal demonstrated here is not in doubt. The story moves along relatively quickly, with some fairly melodramatic twists and turns.
Due to some gruesomeness and violence, I would say if this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13. There is one scene in particular where animals are killed that is fairly grisly.
The romantic aspects are described in a very PG way.
I wasn't particularly enchanted by this tale, but then, I'm not a big fan of romance. Perhaps for someone more interested in the romance genre, this story would garner greater appreciation.
I am rounding up my personal rating of 2.5 stars out of five to 3 stars for online rating purposes.
I do appreciate being given an advance reader/review copy for free, and leave this honest review in return. Thank-you.
Thus, when I began reading it one night, I concluded after about an hour, that it was a Young Adult book aimed at tweens, albeit with the occasionally odd borderline inappropriate bit of content.
This assumption largely arose from my sense early of one of the main characters, Sara, as much younger than it turns out she's actually meant to be.
Part of this assumption arose from the fact that she's apparently successfully hiding her female-ness from most people, and, if she's doing this at nineteen, as she is apparently actually meant to be, than she must be much less, um, physiologically developed then a lot of nineteen year old women.
This is probably a pet peeve of mine, when young women do this "I'm pretending I'm a boy!" thing successfully so much in fiction - looking like a boy at relatively close quarters hasn't seemed remotely like an option (without medical intervention) for me since I was about 12. Perhaps I'm a bit envious?
Also, I found early on that the story used relatively simple language (with some historical exceptions) and the plot seemed fairly straightforward, reinforcing my belief it was meant for young adults.
But it's not!
And so I read on the next morning with this new knowledge that I was not reading a book targeted at young adults after all.
By the fourth day of reading, when I finally got around to finishing this book, I'd concluded that this is perhaps a "New Adult" book - I'm not sure because I don't think we even had a "new adult" category waaaay back when I was one.
It doesn't really matter. What this is mostly is, is a historical novel set along the Erie canal, with murder, conspiracy, romance, and mules.
There were some things that grated against my (non-expert) sense of how things worked historically - one of the characters is, I believe, black, but he faces no racial bias that I could perceive even though the story is meant to be set in 1852. I was also left unsure of his relationship to another character - were they - employer/employee - "just friends" or - life partners? There were also some word choices that struck me as 'suspicious' - did people really refer to others as 'hard core' in the 19th century?
Plus there were a few typo and grammatical errors, I noted.
But the setting is unusual, and that there is knowledge of the Erie canal demonstrated here is not in doubt. The story moves along relatively quickly, with some fairly melodramatic twists and turns.
Due to some gruesomeness and violence, I would say if this book were a movie it would likely be rated PG-13. There is one scene in particular where animals are killed that is fairly grisly.
The romantic aspects are described in a very PG way.
I wasn't particularly enchanted by this tale, but then, I'm not a big fan of romance. Perhaps for someone more interested in the romance genre, this story would garner greater appreciation.
I am rounding up my personal rating of 2.5 stars out of five to 3 stars for online rating purposes.
I do appreciate being given an advance reader/review copy for free, and leave this honest review in return. Thank-you.
January 14, 2021
4 1/2 stars
Just like the leading man amongst its pages, this book was easy to get into, said all the right things, mysterious on the surface, deep and loving underneath and left you wanting more.
A railway baron out for vengeance, a humble canal driver in the crosshairs, a hard, intelligent gun for hire and a innocent women caught in the middle.
This book was wonderful. The drama unfolding with each page urged me to read on, with intelligent story telling that didn’t throw everything in your face immediately but revealed snippets of intrigue, danger all the while the characters became more than just names on a page. They were fleshed out, with well defined backstories and relationships that felt real. I found myself invested in these people.
The romance, although typical of the romance/mystery genre, was sweet and innocent but still contained that slow burn romance lovers crave.
The books I usually read set in this era is England based so it was fun to explore a different part of the world. It was enjoyable learning about the New York canal drivers and their hard working beasts of burden that walked along the shore pulling the floating the cargo. A livelihood that was in jeopardy as the railways started crisscrossing the country.
I had a hard time putting this book down. The mystery, the characters, the scenery were all wonderful. Very much recommended to anyone who likes a little innocent love with their mysteries.
I was given the privilege of reading this book from book sirens in lieu of an honest review.
Just like the leading man amongst its pages, this book was easy to get into, said all the right things, mysterious on the surface, deep and loving underneath and left you wanting more.
A railway baron out for vengeance, a humble canal driver in the crosshairs, a hard, intelligent gun for hire and a innocent women caught in the middle.
This book was wonderful. The drama unfolding with each page urged me to read on, with intelligent story telling that didn’t throw everything in your face immediately but revealed snippets of intrigue, danger all the while the characters became more than just names on a page. They were fleshed out, with well defined backstories and relationships that felt real. I found myself invested in these people.
The romance, although typical of the romance/mystery genre, was sweet and innocent but still contained that slow burn romance lovers crave.
The books I usually read set in this era is England based so it was fun to explore a different part of the world. It was enjoyable learning about the New York canal drivers and their hard working beasts of burden that walked along the shore pulling the floating the cargo. A livelihood that was in jeopardy as the railways started crisscrossing the country.
I had a hard time putting this book down. The mystery, the characters, the scenery were all wonderful. Very much recommended to anyone who likes a little innocent love with their mysteries.
I was given the privilege of reading this book from book sirens in lieu of an honest review.
January 4, 2021
Sara was found as a baby by Jeremiah Streeter and Sam, who have brought her up since she was about a month old. They live aboard their barge, the Ark, and sail the Erie Canal wherever their loads take them. Wolf McKay has been hired by a ruthless railroad tycoon to stop the Ark and kill those aboard her. Wolf needs to be sure that the crew are what he has been told they are before he does anything, and finds that he hasn’t been told the whole truth by his employer.
This is an atmospheric story of life in the USA in the 1850s; at a time when the canals took precedence over the railways, but when the owners of the new railway companies were determined to turn it in their favour. There was money to be made and this made men dangerous in their pursuit of it. Add to this the naive young girl Sara, still being taken for a boy but discovering she is becoming a woman, and you have a romp through the Wild West which makes for an interesting read. It is a bit predictable in that it’s quite easy to guess who is the real bad guy but it doesn’t detract from a really well told tale. I look forward to what I’m sure will be the second book in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is an atmospheric story of life in the USA in the 1850s; at a time when the canals took precedence over the railways, but when the owners of the new railway companies were determined to turn it in their favour. There was money to be made and this made men dangerous in their pursuit of it. Add to this the naive young girl Sara, still being taken for a boy but discovering she is becoming a woman, and you have a romp through the Wild West which makes for an interesting read. It is a bit predictable in that it’s quite easy to guess who is the real bad guy but it doesn’t detract from a really well told tale. I look forward to what I’m sure will be the second book in this series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 23, 2022
In "Path of Treasures" we have a coming of age story about Saratoga Streeter, a nineteen year old mule driver working as a canaller along the Erie Canal.
As the pages turn Gail Meath’s pen unveils to us a Sara, who is admittedly a scrappy tomboy, but who in truth is actually a beautiful young woman. We watch as she blossoms out from under her hair concealing cap and lets her radiant red curls fall to her shoulders, bewitching every male around her.
The unveiling is the start of a well written 1850’s historical novel full of mystery, danger, murder and romance. Ms. Meath’s attention to historic detail regarding the canals and locks that allowed boats to move goods from the Atlantic to the inland shores of Lake Erie mixes in well with her characters who quickly become very real and believable.
There’s a bit of a Three Musketeer’s camaraderie in "Path of Treasures", which makes the story that much more endearing. It’s a well written cozy drama, filled with all the twists and turns of a murder mystery, and complete with the tenderness of young love and one that I think you will enjoy.
As the pages turn Gail Meath’s pen unveils to us a Sara, who is admittedly a scrappy tomboy, but who in truth is actually a beautiful young woman. We watch as she blossoms out from under her hair concealing cap and lets her radiant red curls fall to her shoulders, bewitching every male around her.
The unveiling is the start of a well written 1850’s historical novel full of mystery, danger, murder and romance. Ms. Meath’s attention to historic detail regarding the canals and locks that allowed boats to move goods from the Atlantic to the inland shores of Lake Erie mixes in well with her characters who quickly become very real and believable.
There’s a bit of a Three Musketeer’s camaraderie in "Path of Treasures", which makes the story that much more endearing. It’s a well written cozy drama, filled with all the twists and turns of a murder mystery, and complete with the tenderness of young love and one that I think you will enjoy.
February 28, 2021
In the first pages, we meet Wolfe, Cole, and a railroad baron who is bent on vengeance. The book almost didn’t hold me at this point. Until we meet Sam and Streeter, and Sara. And we find out Wolfe and his colleague are not what we first thought. The story takes on a life of its own and this is where Meath takes Path of Treasures on its own treasure hunt.
There’s much more to this narrative than what the hapless reader might first surmise. A skillful blend of intrigue, deceit, hidden agendas, and greed that all combine to make this among my favourite reads of the Winter Games this year. I’m sure you will too; I highly recommend it and will be searching out more by Meath myself.
[I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
There’s much more to this narrative than what the hapless reader might first surmise. A skillful blend of intrigue, deceit, hidden agendas, and greed that all combine to make this among my favourite reads of the Winter Games this year. I’m sure you will too; I highly recommend it and will be searching out more by Meath myself.
[I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book from the author through the 2021 Winter Games Reader Challenge, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
January 9, 2021
I found it totally fascinating.
This bit of historical information about the railroad and canallers was new to me and I found it outstanding. It appears that anytime one industry is fighting with another murder seems to take place. In this book, a young mule driver has a contract out on for her life. A bounty hunter decided this is an easy one to take get rid of a pesky canaller and pocket some cool cash. Things were not what he expected. This is not a sweet romance there is action, danger, and death long before there is a conclusion to the piece. This is a book I really hope you take a look at it is well written with a unique tale that I found totally fascinating to read. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
This bit of historical information about the railroad and canallers was new to me and I found it outstanding. It appears that anytime one industry is fighting with another murder seems to take place. In this book, a young mule driver has a contract out on for her life. A bounty hunter decided this is an easy one to take get rid of a pesky canaller and pocket some cool cash. Things were not what he expected. This is not a sweet romance there is action, danger, and death long before there is a conclusion to the piece. This is a book I really hope you take a look at it is well written with a unique tale that I found totally fascinating to read. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews