Return to Breakneck Island - (Treasure Hunters Club Mystery) by Tom Ryan (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Long-buried secrets resurface in this alluring mystery from the bestselling and award-winning author of The Treasure Hunters Club that welcomes readers back to Maple Bay--a seaside town "that has all the cozy charm of Jessica Fletcher's Cabot Cove, with almost as many murders" (Library Journal, starred review)

Breakneck Island: nestled precariously off the coast of Maple Bay, the lighthouse atop this rocky outcrop is all that stands between safe passage and nautical disaster.

For generations, the MacLeary family lived on Breakneck Island in an isolated and physically-demanding existence. One night in 1932, after a ruthless storm battered all of Maple Bay, the MacLearys disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only whispers of a missing fortune.

Nearly a century later, three people are drawn to Breakneck Island and its perplexing past: Peter Barnett, a recent Maple Bay transplant who's piecing his life back together and possibly catching feelings for a charming professor; Dandy Feltzen, a wistful teenage girl searching for new beginnings while juggling the arrival of an unexpected visitor; and Cass Jones, a successful author given a cryptic tip for a haunting new story.

As Peter, Dandy, and Cass are drawn into the orbit of one of Maple Bay's darkest mysteries, dangers past and present collide on the rocky shores of Breakneck Island, and the real story of the MacLearys finally comes into focus. But if the island is to reveal its oldest secrets, it may demand fresh bodies in return.

Review Quotes

Praise for Return to Breakneck Island:

"Readers [will be] sighing in satisfaction as they realize how skillfully Ryan dots the path with clues. Returning to Maple Bay is like returning to a favorite classic mystery, updated to welcome a broader audience. Now that this is a series, readers will crave further Treasure Hunters Club adventures, replete with clever reveals and engaging characters."--Library Journal (starred review)

"[A] charming sequel to The Treasure Hunters Club . . . Ryan remains dedicated to character development, deepening his leads' relationships in ways that consistently enhance the story's genre beats. Fans of Richard Osman will love this."--Publishers Weekly

"Secrets, buried treasure, and a family that vanished without a trace drive Ryan's gripping follow-up to The Treasure Hunters Club . . . Ryan keeps the mysteries baffling right to the final pages, and the characters shine throughout. Here's hoping readers can make another trip to Maple Bay and its isolated neighbor, Breakneck Island."--Criminal Element

"Ryan has created a cozy thriller that delivers murder, secrets, treasure hunting, small town charm, humor and plenty of twists without losing sight of the characters at its heart. The way the clues are planted along the way and all come together at the end? Perfection! . . . Tom Ryan has once again given me a clever, entertaining mystery with a cast I genuinely enjoy spending time with."--Best Thriller Books

"Ryan's fans are sure to like this pleasing keep-'em-guessing story."--Booklist

"Tom Ryan is a must-read author for me, and Return to Breakneck Island delivers everything I love about his books: a captivating voice, surprising twists, and a storyline from the past that brings a historical treasure to life."--USA Today bestselling author Gigi Pandian

Praise for The Treasure Hunters Club:

2025 Edgar Award Finalist for the Lilian Jackson Braun Memorial Award

USA Today Bestseller

"An ingeniously plotted adult mystery that cleverly combines a marvelously entertaining cast of characters, writing embellished with a wonderfully wry sense of wit, and a vividly realized setting that has all the cozy charm of Jessica Fletcher's Cabot Cove, with almost as many murders. Readers who fondly remember Ellen Raskin's The Westing Game and newer fans of Gigi Pandian's Secret Staircase Mysteries will find Ryan's cleverly crafted adventure to be a real treasure."--John Charles, Library Journal (starred review)

"A labyrinthine tale of lies, greed, murder, and retribution. The mind-boggling, nail-biting twists will keep readers guessing, with a finale that's as shocking as it is satisfying."--Emily Melton, Booklist

"Ryan's masterful interweaving of multiple storylines, surprising plot twists, and often eccentric characters makes for a novel that is as enjoyable as it is suspenseful. An edge-of-your seat, page-turning delight."--Kirkus Reviews

"Ryan's ambitious and atmospheric latest centers on a seaside town's century-old legend of buried jewels . . . with an immersive setting and a truly surprising final twist. This Goonies-esque caper delivers the goods."--Publishers Weekly

"If you love The Goonies, or Stranger Things, or big-hearted, full-throated tales of suspense and surprise . . . well, open the book already!"--A.J. Finn, #1 bestselling author of End of Story

"A lovingly crafted blend of classic tropes--Hidden treasure! Family secrets!--and modern thrills, including a twist that left me gobsmacked."--Riley Sager, New York Times bestselling author of Middle of the Night

"One of those rare unexpected gems, a mystery that stands out from the crowd, somehow managing to be both utterly original and an homage to the great lost treasure stories at the same time. The real treasures here are Tom Ryan's lyrical prose, a twist that will make your jaw drop, and a tender story grounded in a young girl's love for her grandfather."--Alex Finlay, USA Today bestselling author of If Something Happens to Me

"A romp of a thriller, as cozy a mystery as it gets. Tom Ryan writes with a sharp wit; he weaves together intricate plotting with a deft eye for pace. Rare is a novel that manages to both thrill and charm its reader. I adored The Treasure Hunters Club; it swept me away."--Amy Stuart, #1 bestselling author of A Death at the Party

"An action-packed and heartwarming treasure hunt with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the end."--C.L. Miller, USA Today bestselling author of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder

"A meticulously crafted mystery fueled by a large but memorable cast of unique characters . . . The addictive blend of family secrets, small town quirkiness, and a high stakes treasure hunt makes for an atmospheric and fast paced ride. Readers will be holding their breath until the very last sentence. Perfect for fans of Jennifer Lynn Barnes and Ruth Ware."--B.R. Myers, Edgar Award-winning author of A Dreadful Splendour

"Hidden coves and buried bodies. Ornate mansions and dark family lore. A legendary pirate ship and rumors of gold. Tom Ryan spins a fascinating tale of adventure and skullduggery. It's a lot of fun--and surprisingly poignant."--Will Ferguson, Giller Prize-winning author of 419

About the Author

Tom Ryan is an award-winning author, screenwriter and producer. He is the author of two adult mysteries: We Had a Hunch and The Treasure Hunters Club, which was a USA Today bestseller and Edgar Award nominee. His YA mystery Keep This To Yourself was the winner of several awards, including the 2020 ITW Thriller Award for Best YA Thriller, and is currently being adapted for television. His follow-up YA mystery I Hope You're Listening was the winner of the 2021 Lambda "Lammy" Award for Best LGBTQ Mystery. He was a 2017 Lambda Literary Fellow in Young Adult Fiction. Tom, his husband, and their dog live in Nova Scotia.