Book Review: Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure by Susan K. Marlow

What a fun novel by Susan Marlow! I don't often get to read young adult fiction with so many suspense novels on my TBR pile, so this was a fun departure for me and a nice break from routine. But though this is a young adult novel, I'd have to say that Susan's pacing, prose, and deft handling of character and details were better than ever. Though the conflicts introduced at the beginning of the novel are clearly aimed at young adult readers, the more serious complications that emerge later are great reading for adults too.

The basic story line is that Andi and her friends, including one of her brothers, Mitch, go on a trip and try panning for gold. The experience is not nearly as glamorous as Andi and her buddy, Jenny, expect it to be, but the trip is far from over. A rattlesnake spooks Jenny's horse,and Jenny falls off, cutting her head. Later, when Mitch is shot, Andi is put to the test—to stop the bleeding and save her brother's life, and to trust God for the outcome. In the end Andi learns that there are more important things in life than panning for gold and striking it rich.

This was a fun, engaging story that had plenty of suspenseful hooks and and plot developments to keep me reading. As usual, Andi is a perky young lady who likes to have fun with her friends and always seems to run into trouble. This novel seemed to show a more mature Andi facing adult-style choices. I was pleased to see a shaken Andi praying to God for help when she knew she couldn't solve her problems on her own. Action packed with a clear faith message, Trouble with Treasure is a winner on several angles. Great job, Susan!

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