Maria's Reviews > Ryder: American Treasure

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley as a part of a book tour for a fair and honest review. I received no additional payment for my opinion of the reading material provided. I rated this book 5 out of 5 Stars.

An ex-Fedayeen fighter turned scholar, Ayesha Ryder finds herself in a strange and unique position. Awarded the “George Cross”, England’s highest honor for civilian gallantry, for her actions in bringing the new “Holy Land” together, she finds herself framed for a colleague’s murder and having to solve a century old mystery to prove her innocence. So begins Ryder: American Treasure, the second book in the Ayesha Ryder series by Nick Pengelley. Filled with fast paced action, political intrigue and betrayal, and even a little romance, Mr. Pengelley once again captured this reader’s attention and never let it go.

Hoping to escape a party being given in her honor for her contribution to the new peace in the Middle East, Dr. Ayesha Ryder finds herself between a rock and a hard place; follow her seemingly dead end investigation into the current whereabouts of the Arc of the Covenant, or assist the U.S. Secretary of State locate valuables stolen from the White House by the British during the War of 1812. Reluctantly agreeing to look into the matter of the “stolen valuables”, Ayesha soon realizes that Lawrence of Arabia and the American items are somehow connected. Framed for murder, Ayesha and an unexpected partner become involved in a race to solve hidden clues before the police, or a secret group of killers, get in their way.

Continuing to develop Ayesha’s character, Mr. Pengelley, reminds us that our actions in the past will always play a part in our future. Even though Ayesha has made a huge contribution to the new peace in the Middle East, she’s plagued by memories of her participation with the Fedayeen and the violence she was personally involved in. As Ayesha continues to search for the Arc of the Covenant, it’s clear that her interest is not just scholarly – she’s hoping it will help her make up for some of what happened. We also get to see more of Ayesha the woman, who misses having a significant man in her life.

We also get to re-connect with a couple of the secondary characters from the first book, and of course meet some new secondary characters. I especially enjoyed re-connecting with Dame Imogene Worsley, the head of England’s MI-5, Sir Norman Eldritch, Her Majesty's Home Secretary for Great Brittain and Northern Ireland (who happens to be Imogene’s lover and new fiancée), and Susannah Armstrong, the Prime Minister. They all play a part in Ayesha’s new adventure. We also get to meet Yael Stenger, a “diplomat” from the Embassy of the Holy Land, Diana Longshore, the U.S. Secretary of State, and Thomas Madison, the U.S. President’s Chief of Staff, and a relative of James Madison, the president during the War of 1812. They too play an important part in Ayesha’s new adventures.

Will Ayesha locate the stolen valuables looted by the British before she and her partner becomes victims of the killers determined to stop them? Will she find the clues she needs to locate the Arc of the Covenant and finish what Lawrence of Arabia was doing before he was killed? And will Lady Madrigal Carey, Ayesha’s new best friend, be able to help her survive her new adventures? You’ll have to read Ryder: American Treasure to find out. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read Ryder: Bird of Prey, Ayesha’s next adventure, which will be released this May and involves The Maltese Falcon.