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Imperiled Young Widows #2

A Treacherous Treasure

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Rebecca Heywood thought marriage would make her happy, but that hope was destroyed by her husband’s infidelity. When he is murdered, everyone assumes it was at the hands of the angry husband of one of his paramours. Then rumors emerge of a pirate’s treasure buried somewhere on their estate, and she discovers a long-lost treasure map among her late husband’s grandfather’s papers. Could her husband have been murdered by treasure hunters?

Thomas Westbrook hoped for a quiet life in the country after the horrors of war. But when he hears a gunshot the day after his neighbor is murdered, he finds himself coming to the aid of the young widow. Falling for the widow of his back-stabbing former friend would be a grave mistake. But he feels drawn to the kind and beautiful Rebecca, and when her life is threatened, he realizes he would do anything to save her.

Rebecca can’t imagine marrying again after her husband’s many betrayals. She also can’t deny her feelings for Thomas Westbrook. But how can she ever trust men, attraction, or marriage again—the very things that ruined her happiness?
Rebecca and Thomas must find the treasure first, before the murderers and would-be thieves, even as their growing feelings for each other wage war against all their deepest fears.

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times Bestselling author of The Silent Songbird, The Regency Spies of London series, and Court of Swans.

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2021

107 people are currently reading
748 people want to read

About the author

Melanie Dickerson

41 books6,520 followers
Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author of happily-ever-after romance. She believes in love, laughter, afternoon tea, and the power of story.

With a million books sold and numerous awards, including two Christy Awards, two Golden Quills, a National Readers Choice Award, Christian Retailing’s Best, and Book Buyers’ Best Awards, her books have hit #1 in her category on the New York Times bestseller list.

When she’s not writing, Melanie can be found watching Pride and Prejudice for the hundredth time, cozying up to her handsome hero husband, or shaking her head at her slightly unhinged Jack Russell terrier. She lives in the beautiful foothills of the Appalachians near Huntsville, Alabama.

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5 stars
235 (45%)
4 stars
167 (32%)
3 stars
87 (16%)
2 stars
25 (4%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Lorelei Angelino.
137 reviews11 followers
dnf
November 9, 2022
This book was kind of like a Hallmark movie for me; I read the first few chapters, then I could predict the rest of it. I just skimmed through and read a bit of the ending, and honestly, I was satisfied. I didn't want to waste my time on something not very worthwhile.

It looks cute (and has a beautiful cover!), but it doesn't look like something I haven't read before.

Profile Image for Kjb.
98 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2022
That book was quite boring... I'm not really used to boring books from MD, some of my favorite books are from her, but so far this series is disappointing...
I liked Thomas... Kind of... He is nice but boring... Rebecca is just annoying... And I don't like books being labeled as "christian" just because someone prays or whatever, that is superficial through and through...
Profile Image for Lucy Gould.
Author 3 books58 followers
January 16, 2023
This isn’t my favorite book my Dickerson but I still enjoyed it! The romance was so wholesome and was a joy to read! I loved Rebecca’s character arc and her interactions with her family.
Profile Image for Brenda.
3,471 reviews46 followers
May 14, 2022
Rebecca's husband is murdered and nobody knows why.
It is obvious to everyone that he didn't love her nor she him. Who murdered him and why?
Rebecca Heywood thought marriage would make her happy, but that hope was destroyed by her husband’s infidelity. When he is murdered, everyone assumes it was at the hands of the angry husband of one of his paramours. Then rumors emerge of a pirate’s treasure buried somewhere on their estate, and she discovers a long-lost treasure map among her late husband’s grandfather’s papers. Could her husband have been murdered by treasure hunters?
Thomas Westbrook hoped for a quiet life in the country after the horrors of war. But when he hears a gunshot the day after his neighbor is murdered, he finds himself coming to the aid of the young widow. Falling for the widow of his back-stabbing former friend would be a grave mistake. But he feels drawn to the kind and beautiful Rebecca, and when her life is threatened, he realizes he would do anything to save her.
Rebecca can’t imagine marrying again after her husband’s many betrayals. She also can’t deny her feelings for Thomas Westbrook. But how can she ever trust men, attraction, or marriage again—the very things that ruined her happiness?
Rebecca and Thomas must find the treasure first, before the murderers and would-be thieves, even as their growing feelings for each other wage war against all their deepest fears.
I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.
Profile Image for Natalie.
3,438 reviews122 followers
May 31, 2023
The ending was really rushed and more open than it needed to be. I will say it was less anachronistic than the first book (though there were still some anachronisms) which made for a better reading experience with this book. The characters were fine, the story was mostly fine (I wanted more from the mystery but whatever) and overall this was an enjoyable read.
88 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2022
Beautiful cover. Not my favorite book by this author. The conversations felt stilted. I’m actually not sure why I finished it.
5 reviews
January 1, 2022
Fun Read. Too identical to the first book.

Fun easy read! The plot was very similar to the first in the series. The only true difference was the “enemy.” I normally love her books, but this series is not a fav. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a good book though. In the future I’d like to see a book in this series where she actually loves her first husband and he does from an illness or something. The “terrible husband gets murdered” trope is getting old.
Profile Image for Julie Huggler.
24 reviews
January 28, 2022
not her best but still a good read

It took me a little longer to get into this one, it didn’t seem to follow Dickerson’s same style as most novels, and I wish there was a bit more of a Christian undertone as in her other books. The ending felt rushed. All in all, an enjoyable read, but probably not one that I will read multiple times as I do with her other books. B
Profile Image for K P.
512 reviews9 followers
September 28, 2023

A Treacherous Treasure, by Melanie Dickerson, opens with Rebecca Heywood. She is out visiting neighbors when she is suddenly called home. Rebecca’s husband had been found in the woods. Shot dead! During their marriage, Rebecca’s husband had been unfaithful to her with several women. She wonders - Could it be one of their husbands who that took it into their hands to end his life?

When Rebecca escapes the house to find some quiet away from her wailing mother-in-law, she encounters a man in the woods. This man is holding a gun and actually shoots at Rebecca. As she runs for her life, she encounters Thomas Westwood, the neighbor her husband had warned her to stay away from!

It seems people believe there is a chest of gold doubloons somewhere on her husband’s property. When Rebecca discovers that Thomas is actually a man she can trust, they join together to discover why she was shot at and why the man CBC a was actually digging a hole on her property. After Rebecca discovers clues about the actual existence of gold on her land, she and Thomas dive in to see what they can discover!

Rebecca, Thomas and his family are soon busy on a treasure hunt. You will not believe what they discover at the end of all the hunting!
Profile Image for Hannah DCamp.
361 reviews9 followers
January 5, 2023
3.5 stars.

Here's the thing. This book is pure book candy. It's not the cleverest mystery (kind of convoluted and somehow too obvious simultaneously), and the writing is not what I'd describe as complex, but it was squishy and lovely. Nice if you want to read something that's just sweet and fluffy and clean, but maybe not entirely substantial. I have to add that this one seemed to involve a bit more kissing than the previous book, and the leads seemed to be struggling with prudence, but the descriptions are never too bad.

The religious element to this is passive and sweet; I do wish they'd go to church once in a while, but the frequent brief prayers offered by the heroine were nice. There were lots of sweet thoughts about being married and having a family - and I'm particularly glad that Rebecca realized that she was putting all her hopes in finding a human man to love her, or having human children to love, instead of putting them in God.

This series continues to be nothing groundbreaking, but enjoyable nonetheless.
1 review
December 27, 2021
I didn't think this book could exceed the first book in this series but I'm happy to say that I was wrong. I enjoyed this book immensely, so much so that I read all of it just over a day. As I read Thomas and Rebecca's story, with every scene and sentence, I felt as though I could see both their souls sparking and reaching for each other amidst the mystery and chaotic events that surrounded them. The bantering between Thomas and his siblings as well as the heated retorts Ben slammed Thomas with had me reeling as well. I eagerly wait in anticipation for the third book.
Profile Image for English .
832 reviews
September 17, 2022
I actually liked this book, but the only reason for this lower rating was that I found it a bit dull and predictable. I wasn't really captured by the characters nor did I connect with them, except maybe Thomas.
I'd like to have heard more about his experiences in the Napoleonic Wars, but I felt that he was simply the "love interest" and little else.

I will continue reading this series though. Good if you like Regencies with a hint of mystery.

2 reviews
April 4, 2025
Strong lady but ready for love.

I really liked the storyline. It had some romance, a little mystery, and few twists that I didn’t see coming. Of course you know they will end up together but with the “who did it” story it made you want to keep reading and not put it down. I would recommend this book to readers, young or old.
514 reviews2 followers
January 7, 2022
A Treacherous Treasure

There is a reason why Melanie Dickerson is one of my favorite writers. Once again she has told a captivating regency romance with this book. I recommend this book.
325 reviews
June 22, 2022
A story of betrayal and finally love

Rebecca is a sweet, kind and smart young lady who is good to others in spite of betrayal by her husband and mother-in-law. She finds good friends and a new love in her close neighbors.
31 reviews
August 6, 2022
Great description

The characters are flawed and real. In felt the Enron’s in my own heart. I love how scripture is used and God relied upon in simple and true ways. It reminds me to keep leaving on Good myself.
Profile Image for Hannah.
2,833 reviews1,437 followers
October 1, 2023
Fun story of a widow whose husband gets murdered and local gossip soon mentions a legend of lost treasure on her land. Thomas, her neighbor, witnesses some strange things happening on her land, and joins the effort to catch the murderers--plus try to find the treasure first.
103 reviews1 follower
January 4, 2024
Not enough treachery

Dickerson manages to build the suspense - yet even til the end I was hopeful there was more to the story…plot seemed rushed & rather flat - that was it? Happy ending - yes…believable - not really!
Profile Image for June.
1,542 reviews17 followers
December 30, 2021
I enjoyed this latest release by Melanie Dickerson. The story kept my interest and moved along smoothly. It had a few interesting twists and turns.
Profile Image for Carol R Gehringer.
343 reviews24 followers
December 31, 2021
Enjoyed this new book from Dickerson. Historical, clean romance, intrigue/mystery - what's not to like? Somewhat predictable, but still enjoyable.

Nice light read on New Year's Eve.


Profile Image for Martha.
1,940 reviews74 followers
January 12, 2022
Mystery with a regency era setting

Sometimes you want some light intrigue and mystery in your reading, but nothing too heavy. This satisfies that, between heavier reads.
1,072 reviews
May 6, 2022
I liked this book but it didn't have the same feel as most books by Melanie Dickerson.
Profile Image for Marlo Schalesky.
Author 20 books73 followers
May 13, 2022
Liked this one even better than the first of the series. Looking forward to Book #3.
Profile Image for Karen Hadley.
540 reviews19 followers
May 22, 2022
Good

A treasure map, a widow and a enemy of her late husband, come together as you seek to discover where or who the treasure is.
Profile Image for LaShunda.
612 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2023
I like

I am truly enjoying these female characters in this series. Through many trials they persevere and conquer fears to get their happily ever afters. A nice read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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