What’s so lucky about Lucky Strike? Considering the theme of vengeance and the ensuing deep-seated criminal conspiracy, not so much. In fact, we see several crimes in the pages, including threats, kidnapping, unlawful imprisonment, torture, and murder. What’s it all about? Well, that is the big question, isn’t it?
The story doesn’t depend entirely on information from the previous two books in the Traces of Treasure series, but having that firm background certainly doesn’t hurt. Of course, Sam Milton returns along with his paramour Smidgeon Toll. Lance Norton, one of the main characters in the second book, is part of the story as well. The story also introduces an old lawman, a private investigator named Mule Hollis, who is following a parallel trail that leads directly to our heroes.
Still, I think a fledgling reader can enjoy the book as a stand-alone but here is a brief primer. The first book involves Sam Milton’s long obsession with a lost Gold Mine. As he becomes increasingly desperate, he gets careless and the book follows his struggles with the situations he finds himself in. The second book follows up with a seeming curse that throws a cloud over all the characters and introduces several ghostly associates who have a deep interest in what transpires, as one person after another falls victim to a hidden killer.
So much happened in the second book, it had to have made the news. The bad thing about news coverage is that it sometimes attracts unwanted attention. That’s what happens in Lucky Strike and the repercussions are profound.
An innocent search for some answers to what at first seems to be a small mystery results in a series of desperate acts and the villainous activities eventually involve everyone as they all scramble to make some sense of the situation.
Wait. What about the ghosts? They’re back as well, but they are also confused by the dire situation.
Various twists and turns lead Smidgeon on a long quest from Texas to North Carolina, collecting a confusing array of clues she must somehow piece together.
All the while a mysterious stranger creates havoc as he follows his own trail of vengeance, crime, and destruction.
Add it all up and … well, it doesn’t sound too lucky, does it?
Do you think you can figure it out?
Feeling lucky?
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Find out for yourself … experience the Traces of Treasure
Book 3: Lucky Strike
Book 2: A Curse That Bites Deep
Book 1: The Fever
All three are available in both eBook and Paperback and they are also available on KindleUnlimited.
Scratching the Surface 