This One’s Personal (So Much Heart)
5 out of 5 stars
Half Moon Bay by Nicholas Harvey is an absolute gem that perfectly blends adventure, history, and personal stakes, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Cayman Islands. As someone who’s dipped into both the AJ Bailey and Nora Sommers series, I was thrilled to see familiar faces and settings come together in this latest installment. Harvey has a knack for pulling you right into the heart of his stories (even if you’ve never read an AJ or Nora story before). And this one, in particular, felt like an underwater treasure hunt in more ways than one.
The story starts with what seems like a straightforward treasure hunt—AJ Bailey, armed with her new underwater metal detector, is on the lookout for the legendary jewels of Half Moon Bay. She seems to be only finding old soda cans to her dismay. But as they pull up old “junk” a story is taking place.
As is often the case with Harvey’s work, things quickly take a turn, and suddenly, we’re not just searching for jewels but unraveling a decades-old mystery filled with love, loss, and a fierce battle over land. It’s this unexpected twist that really hooked me; it’s as if the treasure hunt was merely the tip of the iceberg, and beneath the surface lay a deeply personal story that resonated on multiple levels.
Kim Bretton’s exceptional narration truly sets Half Moon Bay apart. Bretton doesn’t just read the story—she breathes life into AJ, Nora, and every other character that crosses the pages. I’ve always enjoyed her performances, but this time, it felt like she was channeling the very spirit of the Cayman Islands and the emotions that come with a story so richly layered. Harvey made an excellent choice to pair with Bretton for these stories. I can’t imagine anyone else bringing AJ’s adventures to life so vividly.
Book Description:
A fearsome legend. A long silenced ghost. A modern greed.
When her co-worker and friend, Thomas, suggests they search for the long-lost jewels from an old island legend, dive boat operator, AJ Bailey, is up for the challenge. But their innocent hunt leads them to the run-down shack behind the myth, stirring up far more than timeworn dust.
The struggle over a precious piece of land begins, rekindling a tragic story of young love in the shadow of World War II and the mysteries left unanswered.
Book 11 in this best-selling series set in the beautiful Cayman Islands takes AJ on a wild chase above and below the water.
Listen in series order or as stand-alone novels.
Half Moon Bay by Nicholas HarveyNarrator: Kim Bretton
Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins
Series: AJ Bailey #11
Published by Self Published on June 27th 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Also by this author: Angels of the Deep, Graceless, Deadly Sommer, Solomon's Well
Also in this series: Solomon's Well, Queen of the Island Skies, Valley of the Rays, Neptune's Wall
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