An eclectic cast of characters search for a buried treasure in Tom Ryan's latest murder mystery
The Cape Breton author discussed writing his first non-YA novel, The Treasure Hunters Club
The Treasure Hunters Club, Tom Ryan's newest murder mystery, is a tale of seaside towns, eccentric neighbours and a hidden pirate treasure.
The story begins when Cass, an author whose book recently flopped, is asked to house-sit in the fictional town of Maple Bay set in Nova Scotia. There, she finds inspiration for her breakout book in solving the mystery that has gripped the town for centuries.
In some ways, this echoes the Cape Breton author's own experience.
After a string of success writing YA thrillers, including I Hope You're Listening, a YA novel that won the 2021 Lambda Award for best 2SLGBTQ+ mystery, and Keep This to Yourself, a 2019 YA novel that has been optioned for television, Ryan told CBC Books that he took a year to write another one.
However, this time it didn't go as smoothly.
Despite feeling like it was his "best work yet," the book ended up dying upon submission.
I've always wanted to write an adult mystery, and this is going to be my opportunity.- Tom Ryan
"It was really discouraging for me because I didn't know what to do next. I felt like I put everything I could into young adult fiction and it hasn't really paid off the way I expected."
"It was at that point in my life where things hadn't worked out. This book that I thought was so great hadn't landed anywhere. And in the midst of this, I was invited by my in-laws to house sit for them in their seaside house."
It was there, in a house by the ocean in November, that Ryan found the spark for his latest novel.
"At the time, I figured, well, this could be as good a time as any to start a new book. And because of all that experience with the YA I decided, you know what? I've always wanted to write an adult mystery, and this is going to be my opportunity. And I began to realize that I was kind of in the midst of this perfect atmosphere and scenario for a murder mystery."
A step away from YA
For Ryan, the disappointment of his YA novel not getting accepted propelled him into trying something different with his writing.
"When I gave myself the freedom to jump into something completely new, it liberated me and I think it really opened up all of these new possibilities. And I just had so much fun writing this book. It was an absolute blast."
"I just felt like I had kind of landed exactly where I needed to be."
The most important thing for me, whether it's YA or adult, is to write a really fun, gripping story.- Tom Ryan
The main feature distinguishing The Treasure Hunters Club from a YA book is the age of the main characters — most of whom are adults — and the occasional swear word. But just like while writing YA, Ryan wanted to write a good story.
"Beyond that, the most important thing for me, whether it's YA or adult, is to write a really fun, gripping story that keeps you turning the pages and hopefully satisfies readers by the time they get to the end."
A nod to Nova Scotia
The Treasure Hunters Club is also inspired by the folklore of Nova Scotia, specifically Bluenose Ghosts, a collection of ghost stories, mysteries and family legends compiled by folklorist Helen Creighton as she travelled across Nova Scotia in the 1920s and 1930s.
"It really kind of sold to me the idea that every corner of our province is full of fun legends and mysteries and sea stories, and I hope that some of the vibes of this book made it into my book."
Born in Nova Scotia, Ryan describes it as a beautiful, creative place. What surprised Ryan, he explained, is the readers' fascination with the province after reading his book.
I didn't really know whether a book about a small town in Nova Scotia would have wider appeal.- Tom Ryan
"Something that's been absolutely terrific and really surprising to me is I didn't really know whether a book about a small town in Nova Scotia would have wider appeal. And we're finding that readers in other parts of North America are really responding specifically to the Nova Scotia thing.
Ryan said that he receives notes, comments and reviews from readers saying they loved the small-town setting and that they want to visit Nova Scotia.
"And so feeling like this book in some small way has maybe brought Nova Scotia to the attention of people in other parts of the world is really fantastic."
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
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