Article contributed by Amerie Diaz
As the wealthiest family in a fictional town in southern Massachusetts, the Rosewoods are known for hosting the most extravagant parties. With DJs playing the hottest songs of the season and news reporters capturing the family’s every move, it is no surprise that the Rosewood Manor is flooded with visitors from all over town.
Lily Rosewood wants nothing more than to study fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and to take over her grandmother’s iconic luxury coat company. But when her grandmother dies unexpectedly after the party and the Rosewood fortune is discovered to be missing, Lily’s life takes a turn.
All that Lily’s grandmother left for her is a blank letter and her signature ruby necklace. Or so she thought. Lily’s grandmother was infamous for her tricks and games, and the letter is written in invisible ink, full of riddles.
Soon after, Lily comes to the realisation that she is not the only one who was given a cryptic letter, and she must join forces with four other teenagers on a hunt for the missing money. In this unlikely group, there’s Lily, her former childhood best friend Leo, her influencer cousin Daisy, Daisy’s rival Quinn, and an intelligent boy from another town named Caleb. With tension high between the group, things become increasingly complicated, but each member is determined to find the missing inheritance and win the money for themselves. Together, they set off on a thrilling adventure filled with twists and turns, searching for clues, and solving riddles.
As the hunt for the inheritance progresses, the stakes get higher and more dangerous. Suddenly, people are out to tear the group down and look for the inheritance themselves. Time is ticking, and if Lily and her friends do not find the money fast enough, they may lose it all to their enemies.
Clue after clue, Lily discovers family secrets she couldn’t have imagined, but the most meaningful message Lily learns is that her grandmother’s final gift to her was not only a treasure hunt, but a lesson detailing the power of friendship.
At its heart, The Rosewood Hunt is a story about the choices you make and the friendship that blossoms in times of uncertainty. By far the best part of the book was watching the characters go from strangers to lifelong friends. Their personalities complement each other perfectly, and they each bring something memorable to the friend group. While the friends may have been hesitant to work together at first, the goal of finding the inheritance brings them together in ways they never could have imagined.
Readers seeking a fast-paced treasure hunt with humour and adventure should have The Rosewood Hunt on their radar. This novel has a very classic young adult mystery feel, and I won’t be surprised if Mackenzie Reed becomes a household name in the YA genre.
Suspense is in full bloom in this ambitious debut. With unlikely allies, complicated family issues, secrets, and humour, The Rosewood Hunt is a highly addictive read for anyone who loves a good mystery.
The Rosewood Hunt is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of October 31st 2023.
Will you be picking up The Rosewood Hunt? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
But then Gram dies suddenly, and Lily’s world is upended. When it’s revealed that Gram’s quarter of a billion dollar fortune is missing, Lily can’t fathom what her future will hold now.
Even in death, Gram has a few tricks up her couture sleeve. A last letter from her with a cryptic clue sends Lily and three other teens on a treasure hunt that could change their lives forever-if they can survive it. And if they pull it off, they may be rewarded with more than just money. But they’re not the only ones hunting for Gram’s treasure, and soon the hunt becomes more dangerous than they ever could have imagined.
Irresistible intrigue, captivating suspense, a swoony friends-to- rivals-to-lovers romance, and heartbreaking betrayal drive this thrilling debut novel to its explosive end.
