City of Gold by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Description:
Finding the Inca’s lost City of Gold would be the discovery of a lifetime. But failing could mean her death…

Archaeologist Matthew Connor and his friends Cal and Robyn are finally home after a dangerous retrieval expedition in Cambodia. While they succeeded in obtaining the priceless Pandu artifact they sought, it almost cost them their lives. Still, Matthew is ready for the next adventure. Yet when new intel surfaces indicating the possible location of the legendary City of Gold, Matthew is hesitant to embark on the quest.

Not only is the evidence questionable but it means looking for the lost city of Paititi far away from where other explorers have concentrated their efforts. As appealing as making the discovery would be, it’s just too risky. But when Cal’s girlfriend, Sophie, is abducted by Matthew’s old nemesis who is dead-set on acquiring the Pandu statue, Matthew may be forced into action. Saving Sophie’s life means either breaking into the Royal Ontario Museum to steal the relic or offering up something no one in his or her right mind can refuse—the City of Gold.

Now Matthew and his two closest friends have to find a city and a treasure that have been lost for centuries. And they only have seven days to do it. As they race against the clock, they quickly discover that the streets they seek aren’t actually paved with gold, but with blood.

Review:

City of Gold by Carolyn Arnold is the 1^st book in her new Matthew Connor Adventure series. I have read two of Carolyn’s other series, which are Police/FBI themed stories. It was a surprise that she was going a different direction with this new series, which is more like an Indiana Jones mystery archaeology theme; especially since Arnold is one of the best at police stories, with her wonderful knowledge of police procedurals. I am happy to say, even to my own surprise, that I really enjoyed City of Gold.

Matthew Connor is our hero, and a well known Archaeologist. From the start, the story begins with Matthew and his friends Cal and Robyn having just found a priceless artifact, running for their lives, literally over the cliff. Now safely back home at a Gala celebrating the finding, Cal tells Matthew about his girlfriend’s worry that someone is following them. A short time later, they learn information that could possibly lead to finding the legendary myth, City of Gold. All three are interested, though doubtful that it was real, since many people have searched for this for centuries. They are also very tired and need time, maybe months to consider if this adventure is worth undertaking.

As best laid plans do not always work out, someone is watching them, and wants the Pandu artifact that is now securely locked in a museum; and they have kidnapped Sophie, Cal’s friend. Matthew knows he cannot get the artifact anymore, and uses the temptation of finding the City of Gold to bargain with the kidnapper to save Sophie.

What follows is an exciting action packed adventure that will take Matthew, Robyn and Cal, as well as two people from the kidnapper’s side to Bolivia to join two guides who will help them try to find the City of Gold. For every step they take, danger and death threaten from all sides. The adventure was pulsating, and Arnold does a fantastic job of taking us through the jungle, caves, underground with many traps along the way.

Is the City of Gold real? Will Matthew and his team find it? Will they survive, and save Sophie? You need to read this book to find all the answers. This was a fun and exciting book, which I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed so much. I look forward to more from the Matthew Connor Adventure series. Carolyn Arnold has another winner.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author