FeaturedAction & Adventure

Something Found: A Coin

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Loved it! 😍

In Something Found, we take a ride through the Florida Keys, and encounter plenty of adventure along the way.

Many of us read to seek out some insight into the human condition, some understanding of what makes us tick and why we do the things we do. In his new title “Something Found: A Coin,” Troy Aaron Ratliff captures experiences to which most of us can relate, and those about which most of us know little. 


When the tale starts, we meet Todd Freeman (his last name is often used to refer to the idea of being freed from that which has troubled him) as he ambles about on the beaches of Key West. He locates treasures that have been buried beneath the sand or swept in with the tides, and when possible returns them to their owners. When not possible, Todd incorporates them into his thriving artwork scene that, along with said returnable treasures, he advertises online. He also displays his art at a gallery he has bought and converted himself. 


As the story winds on, we learn the tragic reasons why Todd has chosen to relocate to this paradise, which I will not reveal in their entirety but will say they give understanding to what families of fallen service members experience. Many have dealt with and are still dealing with the trauma that comes with deployment and serving one’s country. 


Todd’s quiet life is interrupted when he happens on a coin that, unbeknownst to him, has big consequences not just for his own life or death, but in all of the world’s events. Discovery of this coin leads him on a wild chase through Florida where he encounters an old man who is not whom he seems to be, and ends up in the busy streets of Miami. 


As one who has also fallen in love with Miami and the Florida Keys after taking a honeymoon there, I reveled in the deep descriptions of the flora and fauna Todd sees as he makes the arduous trek along US-1, the Overseas Highway. The look at what life is like on smaller, lesser-known keys such as the one where Hamok, the old man, lives, was also fascinating. And while it takes a little while for the action to begin, it is well worth the wait as the reader will delight in the unexpected twists and turns. 


I would recommend reading this book, and especially to those who love tropical settings mixed with outlandish storytelling based on legends, if one can call them that, that we have probably all heard of at least in passing. The author makes clear at the end that there will be a sequel, and in fact that this book is part of a trilogy. So I look forward to seeing where Todd’s encounters carry him next. 

Reviewed by

‪An avid reader, I have consumed books of many genres. I have reviewed several on my blog, including a few author requests because they know of my potential to reach varied audiences. I also do mini-reviews via Twitter and tag the author if available. ‬

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About the author

Troy Aaron Ratliff was born and raised in Hamilton, Ohio and self educated in writing, art and voice impersonations. When he's not reading, writing, sketching, or cooking up his next monstrosity, you can generally find him stuck in traffic somewhere in Southern California on his magic carpet. view profile

Published on November 18, 2020

50000 words

Contains mild explicit content ⚠️

Genre: Action & Adventure

Reviewed by