The Seafarer's Secret

This was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery, set in NC’s Outer Banks. Police chief William and local historian Eva get pulled into mysterious deaths and gold coins, and the mystery soon involves the death a year earlier of William’s wife. The two must figure out how the coins and deaths are linked and who is responsible as they figure out how to move ahead from grieving. I loved the Outer Banks setting, and the mystery centered on Blackbeard’s treasure in a plausible way that didn’t distract from the story. There were a few minor elements that didn’t quite add up for me, but they weren’t central to the plot. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

"The Seafarer's Secret" by Carol Ann Collins is a captivating and thrilling mystery novel that takes readers on a journey filled with secrets, lies, and the allure of lost treasure. Set in the town of Eden, North Carolina, the story centers around William Templeton, a widower and police chief, and Eva Knightly, a historian and Blackbeard expert.

The discovery of an old gold coin in a drowned woman's pocket, identical to one found on William's estranged wife's body a year ago, forces the reopening of Catherine's case. As William steps down as police chief, Eva is brought in to help identify the coins and assist with the investigation. The appearance of more coins at a local church raises suspicions, fueling speculation about Blackbeard, cursed coins, and hidden treasure.

Collins skillfully weaves a narrative that combines elements of history, mystery, and romance. The slow-burning relationship between William and Eva adds an intriguing layer to the story, as they work together to uncover the secrets and lies that lurk in the depths of Eden. The author's attention to detail and the seamless integration of Blackbeard lore into the plot create a sense of authenticity and provide a fascinating backdrop for the unfolding mystery.

The book excels in building suspense and keeping readers guessing. As William and Eva delve deeper into the past, they encounter numerous twists and turns, presenting a tantalizing blend of truth and myth. The author adeptly explores the themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of buried secrets, making the reader question the motives and actions of each character.

The writing style in "The Seafarer's Secret" is engaging and cinematic, transporting readers into the heart of the story. Collins paints a vivid picture of Eden, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the small town and its secrets. The pacing of the book is well-balanced, keeping the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Overall, "The Seafarer's Secret" is a gripping and satisfying mystery, perfect for readers who enjoy a blend of history, suspense, and romance. Carol Ann Collins's ability to create believable characters, evoke a sense of place, and unravel a complex web of secrets makes this book an enjoyable and compelling read.

Thank you NetGalley for receiving this book for an honest review.

What a good book. I honestly enjoyed this one. There were alot of secrets and lies. William and Eva want to have a future but they have to get into the past. Its interesting to see where they go. This one is highly recommended to read.You will not be disappointed.

The Seafarer's Secret by Carol Ann Collins puts a new twist on a tale that is old as time. In a little town called Eden, the infamous tale of Blackbeard The Pirate is far from what we have always assumed of him. There is one person working to make sure we are all informed, Eva Knightly. Eva, who works as the Museum Historian, will receive new information on Blackbeard that will re open investigations of deaths that recently happened. You will be taken by surprise as you are led through a hidden treasure map involving the town, the enticing residents and Blackbeards history. As you navigate your way through this book, you will easily fall in love with the little town of Eden! The ending was absolutely not what I would have guessed and for that I would give the book 5/5 stars!

When I saw the cover and title of this book, I was intrigued to learn more. I didn't know much about Blackbeard or the Outer Banks so I really enjoyed learning more of the history of Blackbeard and reading about the beautiful setting. The mystery in the story - the coins, the treasure, the deaths, made me want to keep turning the pages to find out how it was all connected. I highly recommend this book and will be buying a copy to keep once it hits the bookstores! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Edward Teach or more famously Blackbeard and his life as a pirate is one of wonder. For a pirate to spurn violence and still instill the fear of gods in his opponents is no mean feat. Author Carol Ann Collins uses the pirate’s story and the rumor of his treasure to create a tale with all the ingredients mixed in perfect proportions and also provide us with food for thought as to his marketing skills, so much that 300 years later he is still remembered as this ferocious pirate. The author offers mystery, murder, secrets, and a slow burn romance in this fascinating tale of a treasure hunt set around a small town called Eden in North Carolina.

The opening scene of four oldies getting together to gossip over coffee and Eva Knightly shamelessly eavesdropping on the foursome to gather the shenanigans happening in the town was like an instant attention grabbing one that I felt invested wholly into the story from the word go. Eva as the town historian has more than a passing interest in the coin discovered with the body of a drowned victim and to know that the same had been found with Catherine, her best friend’s body also spikes her curiosity. Knowing that the town views William, Catherine’s husband, and the police chief with suspicious eyes, Eva decides to get to the bottom of both suspicious deaths.

The Seafarer’s Secret has the plot going wondrously in parts but losing steam somewhere in the middle. Even though the murder mystery begins as the central plot point, the investigation I felt could have more gripping. The author beautifully crafted the romance between Eva and William as the reader connects to the emotions of William as he doubts his ability to give his 100 percent to another woman after being burned by the previous one. There are minor discrepancies in the story, like William, despite being the police chief unaware of the coin found on his wife. Definitely not a big deal just me being a weirdo, especially coz the author has very skilfully merged the history of Blackbeard thru snippets of diary entries and giving glimpses of his love story with Mary. Though I did guess the suspense and the identity of the murderer there were still things that were cleared up only with the reveal and made it thoroughly enjoyable,

Carol Ann Collins writes with an ease that the reader gets transported to the little town of Eden and its secrets effortlessly. The secondary characters including Amelia, and her grandfather Elbert, Julia, and Emmerson have been sketched with depth that they feel like people you meet in real life.

Sold for Blackbeard and his treasure.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Books Go Social, Beaufort Books, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

Enjoyable read mixing modern day murder and historic story.. Eden, NC is gearing up for the annual Bluebeard's Festival celebrating their infamous pirate and his lost treasure. Then a young woman is murdered and the body has a gold coin on it. This is followed by the appearance of more gold coins, now linked to the death of the local police chief's wife a year ago - deemed accidental. Whilst the "baddie" was pretty obvious from their first appearance I feel that the journey was worth more than the ending, making it a mutli-thread story. Clearly based on a real-life town with a lot of artistic licence, I suspect, about Bluebeard. However, none the worse for that. The two main characters, Eve, the historian and William, police chief, are a 'nice pair' and work well together. Love the gossipy town characters, completely relatable this side of the Pond too. I know the area slightly from family visits and descriptions certainly matched that. The author mentioned the Lost Colony, Roanoke, I wonder if she would like to write a story about that, they're only about 100km apart after all? Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When two women are found dead on the coast of North Carolina with identical unidentified coins in their pockets, the town is left wondering if these deaths are truly accidental or connected murders. The town has a rich history focused on Blackbeard, including a Blackbeard Festival only a few weeks out, when two more coins are discovered and an expert is brought in to identify them. Are the coins part of Blackbeard’s lost treasure? Are the coins cursed as legend says? Is there a murderer on the loose waiting to strike again?

This books focuses on Eva, a historical expert, and the police chief, William, as they work together to figure out the mystery behind the deaths of Catherine, William’s late wife and Eva’s friend, and another local woman named Gabby. I enjoyed the depth of the history given about Blackbeard and felt like I learned more history as well as enjoyed this thriller. I also enjoyed the emotional struggle William dealt with over the death of his wife and the town’s speculation on him. He was an easy character to love and sympathize with. Eva’s personality and respect for her friend also made her a character that was easy to cheer for and connect to. I never found myself bored reading this book and looked forward to picking it back up when I had a free minute. The pace wasn’t insanely fast, but it did hold my attention well and didn’t drag.

I would read another book by this author, and I would be happy to see this book have a sequel. All the way around, great job! It was a lovely read.

The Seafarer’s Secret by Carol Ann Collins


Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Mystery: 5/5
Overall Enjoyment: 5/5


“ Secrets are revealed. Lies are exposed. And in order to have a future, William and Eva will have to delve into the past”


I wanted to read this book for a few reasons. First, I live in NC and have a house on the outer banks that I so much enjoy visiting. Second, the blurb sounded great and thirdly, the author. I absolutely was NOT disappointed.

A woman’s body is found and inside her pocket is a coin. Not just any coin though. One that was identical to the coin found in William Templeton’s dead wife’s body about a year ago. William is the police Chief for Eden NC and now wants to open up his wife’s death investigation that was deemed accidental when it happened a year ago. Eva Knightly is a historian who will help with the investigation due to the rarity of the coins found and of course the towns history is focused on Blackbeard and his discoveries. Now the two are focused on investigating the death of the two women and the coins that are showing up in various places. They find out that the coins are supposed to be cursed. Can the two find who the killer is before someone else is dead or is there something else more sinister happening?

The story goes into depth on the history of Black beard but not so much that you would get bored. I really enjoyed learning about the outer banks and the rich history with pirates. The police procdural aspect was well done and the characters were so well formed and developed. I truly found this book to be very informative and yet also a very well written mystery that you will wait patiently for the ending on. I promise you will want to know how it ends.


⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

I really enjoyed this small town mystery. Carol Ann Collins does a great job at sucking you into the story and making it feel like you're there in the small town. It is such an immersive story and writing that you completely forget that you're reading it. I flew through the book.

Also the slow burn between William and Eva was just amazing. They were such well developed characters! The struggle that William faced with his emotions was well written and made me feel sympathy for him.
At times this book wasn't always really fast paced for me but I was never bored.

Ill be looking forward to read more book Collins will publish in the future because this one was absolutely amazing.

Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Hidden treasure, pirates, murder investigation, and budding romance - what more could you want! I loved this book and all the little twists and turns along the way kept me hooked from the beginning.

Two women are dead within a year in a small town on the coast of North Carolina. Each of them were found with a gold coin - is it a coincidence, could it be a signature from a killer, or is it part of a pirates treasure that has been discovered?

Small town murder mystery. Pirate history. Subtle, slow burn romance. Reunited friends. These themes are weaved into this book to keep you interested and to hook you into the story. I really enjoyed the writing and the plot line of the book. Hints about twists are given so that you’re able to work alongside the main character and figure out what’s going on and how everything is connected, but also aren’t so obvious that you figure everything out too quickly. I would definitely recommend this one to anybody looking for a good historical-fiction mystery read.

Thank you NetGalley, BooksGoSocial, and Beaufort Books for the advanced copy!

Many thanks to both Beaufort Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Seafarer's Secret, by Carol Ann Collins.

Expected Publication date: January 30, 2024

With the entire town whispering about Blackbeard, cursed coins, and lost treasure, it becomes hard to separate what is true and what is a myth. Sounds like my kind of town! And even though The Seafarer's Secret differs from the type of books I usually gravitate towards, I really liked it!

I loved reading about Blackbeard and I'm glad those parts were included in the book. (Not to worry. It was more of a sideline and didn't take away from the primary story at all.) The Seafarer's Secret has murder, unidentified coins, buried treasure, long-lost friends, and more! I recommend it.

The cover and title of this story immediately grabbed my eye before I had a chance to check out the description. Admittedly, I knew almost nothing about the history of Blackbeard but enjoyed getting to learn about it as the mystery of the coins and deaths unraveled. I liked the balance of realistic and mythical stories, as well as the mix of suspense and romance. This book feels very well-written for a screen adaptation that I’d love to see in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Beaufort Books for the opportunity to read the eARC of “The Seafarer’s Secret”! All opinions are my own.

I absolutely loved this!! Police procedural/thriller that has a pirate theme. Yes please! I loved how the pirate aspect was woven into the murder mystery! So perfect! I can't wait to see what comes next for William and Eva.
I just reviewed The Seafarer's Secret by Carol Ann Collins. #TheSeafarersSecret #NetGalley
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The Seafarer’s Secret by Carol Ann Collins is a very well-written, straightforward, small-town whodunit with a twinge of romance in the background. I enjoyed reading this book as much for its setting as the carefully constructed plot – not too many clues, timed and released well. William Templeton is a widower and the police chief in Eden, North Carolina. A dead woman’s body is found with an old gold coin in her pocket – identical to a coin that was discovered on his ex-wife’s body more than a year ago. Her death then was treated as an accidental drowning but now, similar as it is to the recent death, her case is reopened. An historian, Eva, is brought into the investigation team to identify the coins which are assumed to be part of Blackbeard’s pirate treasure. Eva had visited Eden as a young child and is gradually reunited with the friends she made back then, one of whom is not as he seems and that’s where I should stop. A highly-recommended summer time read.

Title: A Riveting Pirate Treasure Hunt Murder Mystery - "The Seafarer's Secret" by Carol Ann Collins

"The Seafarer's Secret" by Carol Ann Collins is a delightful and engaging tale that effortlessly combines elements of pirates, treasure hunts, and murder mysteries, resulting in a quick and easy-to-read adventure that captivates readers from start to finish. With a plot that keeps you on your toes, this book is perfect for both beginners and those looking for a fast-paced, enjoyable read.

Set in a coastal town with a rich maritime history, the story follows when Catherine and Gabby drown within a year apart. The temptation of untold riches and the thrill of adventure lead Eva Knightley, Historian and Blackbeard expert along with William Templeton, the town cop to embark on a journey filled with danger and intrigue. Along the way, they encounter a cast of well-developed and mysterious characters, each with their own motives and secrets.

What stands out about "The Seafarer's Secret" is the author's ability to maintain a steady pace throughout the narrative. The story never loses momentum, making it an easy page-turner that keeps you hooked until the last chapter. Carol Ann Collins does a fantastic job of weaving together elements of history, suspense, and subtle romance, adding layers of depth to the overall reading experience.

One of the book's major strengths lies in the vivid descriptions of the coastal landscape and maritime ambiance, which transport readers to the world of salty sea air. Furthermore, the mystery element is skillfully crafted, keeping readers guessing and speculating about the true nature of the treasure and the identity of the murderer.

Overall, "The Seafarer's Secret" is an enjoyable and entertaining read, perfect for anyone seeking a thrilling pirate treasure hunt murder mystery that doesn't demand an extensive time commitment. Carol Ann Collins has crafted a captivating tale, showcasing her ability to tell an engaging story while leaving readers eager to explore more of her works. Whether you're new to the genre or a seasoned mystery enthusiast, this book promises an adventure that will leave you satisfied and eager for more.

#TheSeafarersSecret #NetGalley

Thanks to Netgalley and Beaufort Book Publishing for letting me read the ARC from this book.
I really like the opening sentence of the chapter, "For anyone who ever dreamed about growing up to be a pirate, fighting a pirate, or falling in love with a pirate."

This story opens with the conflict over the discovery of a woman's body which was found in the cave when people were fishing. Not only that, because a gold coin was found in the corpse of a woman named Gabby Clark. The same gold coin was found a year ago from the body of Catherine Harper – the wife of an Eden, police officer named William Templeton.

Gabby is a cleaning service who likes to clean an office and Doris's house. Gabby's death is still being investigated as to whether she was killed or drowned. Meanwhile Gabby really hates the sea, so it's impossible for her to swim. Moreover, Gabby's relationship with her very toxic boyfriend named Hamilton. Hamilton is suspected of having a hand in Gabby's death, but he is out of town.

“I know what people say about her, and I saw how toxic her relationship with Hamilton was, but there was more to her than that. She was one of my best employees. Probably the best.” Doris said.

Because the coincidence is the same as those gold coins. Gabby's death is also investigated by William. And William is assisted by Eva who is a historian who works at the Historical Society. They investigated the gold coins, whether they belonged to Blackbeard's treasure or Devil's coin.

So, each chapter must end with one or two sentences from The Journal of an Unknown Woman, Early 1700's. So he talks about Mery and Blackbeard in the past, about Mery's married life and the birth of his son.

I really like Carol's writing, because since the beginning of the chapter there has been a trigger for conflict that keeps me interested in turning every page and makes me wonder who the real culprit is. The lack of writing is not too detailed in writing narrative, I feel I have lost the integrity in several places and the interactions between characters.

"The Seafarer's Secret" by Carol Ann Collins is a delightful and enchanting read that truly captivated me. The atmospheric setting drew me into the world of seafarers, and I felt transported to their adventures on the high seas. Collins' writing style is beautifully crafted, with elegant prose that painted vivid images in my mind.
The way the story unfolded kept me engaged from start to finish, with unexpected twists and turns that added to the excitement. The characters were well-developed and relatable, making their journeys even more compelling.
I can't wait to read more from Carol Ann Collins; her storytelling is a true gem. "The Seafarer's Secret" left me yearning for more of her enchanting tales, and I eagerly anticipate what she has in store for her readers next.

absolutely incredible. heart warming, and just all consuming. this book gave me all the feels and I will be sharing it widely.

An enjoyable tale switching between past and present, a dash of historical romantic interest interlaced with an unexpected aspect of Blackbeard's character. I knew nothing about the pirate history of that area prior to reading this book and I always appreciate a book that teaches me something. I received this as an advance copy from the author via NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed this book a lot.

Thank you to the writer, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.

I enjoyed very much reading this book because it is funny, maybe I should say hilarious! The story is set in North Carolina, fully describing all of its beauty. Twists are unexpected; what keeps us turning the pages. It is a great vacation reading.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable mystery. There were a few minor elements that didn't quite add up for me, but they weren't central to the plot. Overall, great read!

Before anything, I would like to thank you for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Seafarer's Secret was a nice book to read, with a cozy small town vibe and themes mixing history and fiction. It has an interesting mystery, though it could have been more in depth. It was a quick read and I enjoyed every second of it.

**Positives**
- The diary entries every chapter are super interesting and highlight the theme of the story.
- The small town vibe is very well executed.
- I enjoyed the writing style and the reading flew quickly and easily.
- The subplots are interesting and cozy. I specially loved the quartet the six-pack and hoped for more scenes with them.
- The characters are interesting and lively.
- I liked how William acknowledged his mistakes as well as Catherine's during their marriage and is able to respect her memory, even after what she did and despite his feelings for another woman.

**Negatives**
- A few pieces of dialogue felt too long and unnatural.
- Eva and William's feelings are a bit too on the nose from the beginning. The scenes of them together showed how they felt quite well, so it would've felt more interesting if we weren't told from the get go that they were attracted to each other.
- The mystery of the story could have been a little more flashed out, with more suspicious activities from the suspects.
- The antagonist has a personality transplant in a second to fit the crazy villain stereotype.

Carol Ann Collins's The Seafarer's Secret is a unique rollercoaster trip! Dive into Eden, North Carolina, where widower cop William and Blackbeard expert Eva discover a drowning woman's coin.

A furious treasure quest, Blackbeard legends, and sparks flying between them await. This intriguing story seamlessly blends history, romance, and mystery.

William is a widower and the police chief of Eden a town in North Carolina and the scene where he is currently working a coin has been found that is similar to a coin found on his estranged wife a year ago which leads to her case being reopened.

this was a lovely read as the pace was just right and didn't feel like a drag. I look forward to reading a book by this author in the future.

A nice interesting read, with a different aspect to the story. Some nice sounding characters and an unusual setting. It is a strange mix of murder and mystery and romance, so it should suit several people in the same story. I enjoyed it,

An old gold coin found on a dead woman, which is identical to the Old Gold Coin found on William Templetons estranged wife a year ago. Opens the case again as it was once thought the death of his wife was an accident but was it?. William the Police Chief of Eden has to now step down from the investigation.
This is a book with mystery that has the town talking about Blackbeard, cursed coins, and possible lost treasure.
A facinating book that had me hooked with the first page. William and Eva the historian work together to try to understand how these women have the coins with them when they died. The past will be investigated and looked at in depth to find what is going to happen next
A great read

I loved this quote and had to share.
“Memories are funny, aren’t they? What you remember and what you don’t. How does your brain decide? And how it is something long forgotten can be triggered by the most random things?”
How true this is!! One of the best saying or quotes of all times because it speaks so many volumes.
I believe I will use this quote for the setting of my review
I'll be honest here and say that I really loved the book. A very different but fun read with a little romance tucked in. What's not to love?!
Oh I forgot the legend of Blackbeard the pirate. He's an interesting character himself. He's actually the stuff that legends are made of!
I really enjoyed getting to know Eva and William. They are a great team to figure out what's going really going on in Eden, N. Carolina. I also liked this small town since I'm from one myself.
I loved the setting of The Outerbanks.
Sometimes, it's the settings of a book like this one that is my favorite thing.
Makes me want to go and visit for real now.
I think my favorite thing in the story was the secrets of this small town. I was kept on the edge of my seat to find out who the culprit was.
I sort of figured it out early on but wanted to finish this book anyways. I like reading it to see how it turns out.
I love what Eva tells William
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all of this,” she said, “It’s that you’ll never regret taking a risk for what you want. You’ll only regret what you were too afraid to do.
My favorite quote from this book because it's proof that life goes on.
In my opinion its called life's journey that God will take you on. His destiny for you no matter what happens or what you do. It's all in His timing not ours. It's why I loved this book so much.
I loved this book for the awesome read that left me feeling full and satisfied. I'll be looking forward for more of Ms. Collins books in the future.
Wow! Just loved this wonderful tale and I highly recommend it.
5 stars for realistic and relatable characters.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

This thriller/mystery is set in North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
It focuses on Eva, a historical expert, and the police chief, William, as they work together to figure out the mystery behind the deaths of two women found dead on the coast.

Everyone in the town is left wondering if the murders are accidental or if they are actually really connected.

This was such a fun read and I enjoyed learning more about Blackbeard! It was also pretty rich in History.

William and Eva were both very likable characters and you can see how they develop as the story goes on.

This book took me right back in time. Loved every minute of it! The characters were so dynamic and found myself rooting for them all.

I really liked this book, it was different than anything else I've read which was a breath of fresh air. I will be recommending this to my friends, and auto buy this author!

Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you like pirate related content like The Goonies or Outer Banks, you will like this book. I found it slightly predictable, but the story was fun. It will make a great summer, beach read.

Love, betrayal, along with a dose of history. A lovely story (especially Blackbeard’s). Perfect reading for a day by the pool, or if you are really lucky, watching the waves at your favorite beach. I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed are my own.

A good story about pirates, treasure ,mystery and murder.
Even some history on Blackbeard the pirate.
Drama, twists, suspense.
Liked the characters and story.
Voluntarily reviewed.

(3.5 stars rounded up to 4)

This was a lovely, enjoyable mystery! Dare I say, it was almost borderline cozy mystery-esque for me? Maybe that's because I read a lot of thrillers that are grittier and darker. If you're looking for a mystery without the violent/gory/bloody details, or if you're a history buff, then I'd definitely recommend this one.

I went into this book blindly, and it was quite serendipitous that just weeks ago, I watched a documentary on the History Channel about Blackbeard. As such, some of the details were familiar to me, and I loved the way in which Collins created a fictitious diary and happenings with regards to Mary and their child. The idea of descendants of Blackbeard was so cool!

The gossiping quartet of seniors at the local dinner was quite funny and so representative of small-town living. There are some poignant moments surrounding grief and loss, and they were seamlessly intertwined with the mysterious deaths.

This book gave me coastal small town Gilmore Girls vibes, but with mystery and pirates. I really enjoyed the murder mystery interwoven with the (somewhat fictional) historical mystery surrounding Blackbeard. The characters were fun and intriguing, and I immediately preordered this book as a gift when I finished reading it. I highly recommend checking it out when it releases in March!

A small-town mystery involving the death of a local woman found washed ashore with a gold coin in her pocket. Her friend tells Police Chief William Templeton hat she couldn’t have drowned, as she was deathly afraid of water. He soon learns that his estranged wife, who died a year earlier, was also found with a gold coin. Are the two cases connected and if so, how? He will get assistance from Eva Knightly, a close friend, a local historian and an expert on everything Blackbeard. Eva contacts an expert that she knows, to authenticate the coins. William had been told that the death of his estranged wife was accidental, but now he wonders if she was also murdered. When two more coins are found in the local church, the mystery deepens. When Eva’s life is in danger, will they find and stop the killer in time? The story was a bit slow in the beginning, but moved along as I became more aware of the characters and their history. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

The Seafarer's Secret is a cute mystery set on the North Carolina coast. I loved the accuracy of what living on the NC coast is like and all of the references to the pirate, Blackbeard who was known to frequent the NC barrier islands. The story brings the question, is Blackbeard's curse wreaking havoc on the town of Eden or is it something more sinister?!

I recommend this book to those looking to read a lighter hearted thriller with a splash of historical fiction!

Thank you @beaufortbooks for allowing me to read this book ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

(This same review was shared on the Barnes & Noble website)

The Seafarer's Secret by Carol Ann Collins is a thriller with a historical mystery that is deeply intertwined with the present. This book is full of romance and adventure and historical legends like Blackbeard. I think this book would appeal to readers of many genres. It was definitely fun to read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

This was slow to start with it detailing William and Eve’s personal life both past and present which if I’m honest I enjoyed reading about, this sets the scene nicely for what was to come.

William’s wife Catherine ( also Eve’s friend) died a year previously, it was ruled an accident but now a year later another body is found also ruled an accident but both bodies had a mysterious gold coin on them.

I really enjoyed this story it was something a little different with the Pirate/Blackbeard element but it still had the gritty crime plot that everyone including me loves too.

I particularly enjoyed the Outer Banks setting which had the Small Town mystery Vibe which is my absolute favourite in these types of books.

I’ll definitely look out for more from this author.

Murder, treasure, and mystery combine for an interesting story. William's drawn in when the death of his wife a year ago gets tied into a more recent death, and Eva by the appearance of some very old coins believed to be part of a pirate treasure. Eva was William's wife's friend before she died, so she also has a bit of a personal stake in solving the mystery, although her historical knowledge is what sets her on the case. Collins did a great job of building tension, and dropping clues that keep you turning pages trying to solve the mystery along with William and Eva. It wasn't obvious from the start what the solution was, but all the loose ends were tied up in the end. If you enjoy mysteries, you're going to want to grab this!

What a good book! It has a good mystery surrounding the murder of two women. There’s also a hunt for Blackbeard’s treasure. It’s a hard to put down book that keeps you guessing to the end.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I loved this book and the story of the gold.
The trail and the twist and turns trying to find the truth and the heir.

Murder, treasure and Blackbeard?! Yes, please!! I found this book to be thoroughly enjoyable. For me, it was a quick, entertaining read. 2 murders and a historical mystery thrown in as well, who could complain?!

"The Seafarer's Secret" is an enjoyable tale of murder, mystery and pirates (namely, Blackbeard!).

Eva Knightly had fond memories of the last summer she was truly happy; the year she and her family had vacationed in the Outer Banks before her mother died. Now that she's an adult, she's chosen to live in the town that captured her heart and rekindle friendships with people from that summer long ago.

Her lifelong love of all things historical, but especially related to Blackbeard, makes her a prime candidate for working at the historical society, and when gold coins suddenly start showing up, she's as intrigued as everyone else to get to the bottom of things.

But she soon finds out, not everyone in town can be trusted, even when you've known them forever...

Thanks to Carol Ann Collins, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

The Seafarer's Secret combines history, murder, mystery, friendship, with a bit of a cozy vibe. The story is set in Eden, North Carolina in the Outer Banks. Police Chief William Templeton has been a widower for a year. His wife Catherine was found dead in a sand hole on the beach, determined to be an accident, with her alcohol content high. A year later, a woman is found on the beach, apparently drowned, also intoxicated. When they find a gold coin on her body, it is finally revealed that Catherine also had a coin when she was found. Catherine's death is reopened with the police believing both these women were killed and by the same man. The coins are brought to Eva Knightly, a local historian and Blackbeard expert. When two more coins are brought to Eva by a local pastor, things begin to heat up.

I enjoyed this story a lot. I love cozy mysteries, and although the police are investigation this one, Eva is doing a bit of her own investigating. I am also a huge history buff, so I was pulled in on both fronts. I really liked the characters in this book. William is torn. He is attracted to Eva, but still carries a lot of guilt over Catherine's death. He is a great detective and excellent at this job. He has stepped down as chief until the investigation into Catherine's death is solved. The foursome in the restaurant each morning sharing gossip are a wonderful addition to the story. I loved how they seemed to have information that others didn't have. Eva's friend Amelia, is her sidekick. She is also an amateur genealogist and is able to share some information with Eva. They have each other's backs and I loved their friendship. At the end of each chapter, there is a journal entry or a portion of a letter from either Blackbeard, his wife Mary or an unknown companion to Mary. The murderer had me stumped, and although there weren't any apparent suspects, I really liked who it was and how the ending played out. The setting was wonderful, the history of Blackbeard and the great characters pulled me in and held me captive from start to finish. The mystery had lots of suspense and some scary moments that kept me on the edge of my seat. I read the author's notes which share what is fiction and what parts of the Blackbeard story are based on historical facts. A wonderful story that I recommend to those who enjoy mystery, a great setting, some history and little bit of romance.