The Price of Gold Is Blood.

Treasure has a price—and it is always paid in blood. When the wreck of the Spanish galleon Santa Isabella is discovered off Florida’s Gulf Coast, it awakens more than history—it stirs dark memories of violence, betrayal, and greed. For Federal Game Warden Charlie Palmer and his wife, Dr. Miranda Palmer, the find reopens wounds they thought had long healed. Years earlier, a similar discovery drew ruthless treasure hunters into their lives, ending in bloodshed. Now, history is repeating itself. Miranda’s estranged father, disgraced archaeologist Antonio DePalma, has resurfaced at the center of the storm. Obsessed with reclaiming lost Spanish gold and restoring his shattered reputation, he is leading an illegal operation to recover treasure hidden deep within the wildlife refuge Charlie is sworn to protect. When Charlie’s junior wardens uncover the treasure hunters’ camp, a violent firefight erupts, leaving multiple casualties and Charlie fighting for his life. DePalma escapes with much of the treasure, setting off an international pursuit that stretches from the Florida Gulf Coast through the Keys and into the Caribbean. As organized crime syndicates close in and federal agencies join the hunt, Charlie and Miranda must confront an unsettling truth: the gold that once transformed their lives may be nothing more than blood money. With the fate of the Santa Isabella’s treasure hanging in the balance, the Palmers are drawn into a final reckoning where loyalty, justice, and family collide—and where the cost of gold may once again be measured in lives.

Nick West is a native Floridian who has spent his life immersed in the landscapes that shape his fiction. Nick graduated from Gainesville High School and attended the University of Florida. He draws inspiration from the ranches, rivers, and wild refuges of north-central Florida, where his family has deep roots. This is the fifth installment in his acclaimed series following Federal Game Warden Charlie Palmer and Dr. Miranda Palmer as they navigate danger, devotion, and the enduring spirit of Old Florida.