Review of Gold among the Trees

[Kibet Hillary]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Gold among the Trees" by Peter King.]

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3 out of 5 stars

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Professor Peter Holroyd is happily married to Pearl. However, when Meredith invites him to dinner at the Athenaeum, Peter's enthusiasm is noticeably lacking. To discover the reason behind his reluctance, you'll need to delve into the pages of this book. In the narrative, a search for an ancient ship, one that has sailed the seas for over 300 years, unfolds. Authorities suspect it may be linked to a money-laundering scheme. Meredith informs Peter of an enticing opportunity—a visiting professorship at a university on Vancouver Island with a research grant that will fund his work, including an investigation into the mysterious ship.

Gold Among the Trees by Peter King is a gripping work of historical fiction, guaranteed to keep readers eagerly flipping through the pages. The author masterfully intertwines various storylines to craft a captivating tale. Peter Holroyd's arrival at the university is marked by surprises, including a clash of cultures, and his initial happiness is short-lived. He soon finds himself facing formidable adversaries, such as Professor Paul van Vervoort, who are determined to discredit his theories. Can Peter find an ally in a world seemingly set against him?

I enjoyed following Peter's quest to substantiate his theory that the Chinese were the earliest explorers of the West Coast of the Americas, along with an exploration of the seaworthiness of their vessels for Transpacific voyages. He encounters staunch opposition from both the university administration and students. Some of his remarks, as pointed out by the dean, jeopardize the university and its plans. The narrative also sheds light on the injustices endured by the First Nations, with Elisa, one of the characters, playing a central role in this battle. Thus, this story artfully weaves together themes of theory validation, historical injustice, and crime-solving.

While I did enjoy this book, three issues hindered my overall enjoyment and a perfect rating. First, there were noticeable editing oversights, particularly punctuation errors, that affected the reading experience. Second, certain sections of the narrative felt flat and read like historical textbooks. Finally, a few subplots seemed out of place and failed to significantly enhance the overall story. Taking these factors into account, I rate Gold Among the Trees three out of five stars. I recommend this book to ardent readers of historical fiction.

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Gold among the Trees
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[Nenye Charles]

This book is a historical fiction set back in the medieval era. I love these kinds of books. I wonder why Peter was less enthusiastic over Meredith’s invitation to dinner. Thanks for a good review.

[Nenye Charles]

This book is a historical fiction set back in the medieval era. I love these kinds of books. I wonder why Peter was less enthusiastic over Meredith’s invitation to dinner. Thanks for a good review.

[Nenye Charles]

This book is a historical fiction set back in the medieval era. I love these kinds of books. I wonder why Peter was less enthusiastic over Meredith’s invitation to dinner. Thanks for a good review.

[Nenye Charles]

This book is a historical fiction set back in the medieval era. I love these kinds of books. I wonder why Peter was less enthusiastic over Meredith’s invitation to dinner. Thanks for a good review.

[Nenye Charles]

This book is a historical fiction set back in the medieval era. I love these kinds of books. I wonder why Peter was less enthusiastic over Meredith’s invitation to dinner. Thanks for a good review.

[Nenye Charles]

This book is a historical fiction set back in the medieval era. I love these kinds of books. I wonder why Peter was less enthusiastic over Meredith’s invitation to dinner. Thanks for a good review.

[Nenye Charles]

This book is a historical fiction set back in the medieval era. I love these kinds of books. I wonder why Peter was less enthusiastic over Meredith’s invitation to dinner. Thanks for a good review.

[AdrianCarranza28]

Peter's struggles against adversaries, both academic and personal, provided a layer of tension that made the story even more compelling.

[RutvikPatel]

"Gold Among the Trees" by Peter King weaves a captivating tale of historical exploration and injustice, although marred by editing issues and occasional flat sections. Recommended for historical fiction enthusiasts.

[NetMassimo]

Academics can be such cutthroats and Peter has to struggle to bring evidence of his historical theory. This part seems really strong in a novel that needs more editing to improve other parts and proofreading. Thank you for your honest review!

[Chinenye Achilike]

Historical stories are not my kind of thing, however, I think I might enjoy the crime solving aspect of the book. Thanks for the detailed review.

[Chandrakant Patel]

Your review of Gold Among the Trees by Peter King is comprehensive and well-written. You have highlighted the key plot points and themes of the novel, including the search for the ancient ship, the clash of cultures, and Peter's quest to validate his theory. I particularly appreciate your insights into the injustices endured by the First Nations and the author's masterful weaving of these different elements into a captivating tale.

[Kgothatso Mampe]

It brings in unnecessary historical features that pro long the main point of the story

[Upphilan Paul]

I haven't been reading crime thrillers novel, but I believe there are lessons to be learnt from them. This is a captivating and mind-hacking read with a compelling review and I long to read this book and see what you've read.
I like your review, well detailed. Good job.