A Derek Starr Thriller
Releasing September 12, 2026
Coming This Winter
The Collection
Browse every Kevin Hartman novel — scroll the shelf.
Book List
A sixteenth-century cross. A centuries-old cipher. A secret someone has killed to keep buried.
When marine archaeologist Derek Starr discovers a sixteenth-century cross buried beneath the waters of Florida’s Gulf Coast, he believes he has uncovered a forgotten relic of the Hernando de Soto expedition. Within hours, the artifact disappears. What remains is a mysterious astrolabe, a centuries-old cipher, and evidence that someone has spent years searching for a secret hidden since 1539. Joined by historian Elena Vasquez and former intelligence officer John Cox, Derek follows a trail through shipwrecks, archives, and the forgotten history of Spanish Florida. As the clues converge, they uncover a conspiracy stretching across five centuries—one powerful enough to inspire theft, deception, and murder. But the greatest discovery may not be a lost treasure. It may be a hidden record capable of rewriting a chapter of American history.
Book List
A secret buried before liberty. A conspiracy that could destroy it.
A secret buried before liberty. A conspiracy that could destroy it. When forensic investigator Derek Starr accepts a routine commission at a colonial estate in Annapolis, he expects portraits and plaster ceilings. What he finds — hidden inside a two-hundred-year-old picture frame — changes everything. A concealed document. A cipher with no key. And a single line in a hand that hasn’t moved in two centuries: “For the Republic, when the Republic needs it.” As Derek follows the trail — through Philadelphia archives, Revolutionary War graveyards, and a hidden tunnel beneath Valley Forge — he begins to understand what he has found: the last safeguard of the founders, buried where it would survive any catastrophe, meant only for the moment it was most needed. But Derek isn’t the only one who has been looking. Victor Ashworth has spent thirty-six years on this trail. He is patient, well-resourced, and prepared to do what is necessary to reach the end of it first. The founders buried it for a reason. Some men spend a lifetime searching for things that were never meant to be found.
Book List
A gothic descent into old blood and older secrets.
A gothic descent into old blood and older secrets, where an ancient evil stirs beneath candlelight and ritual. In a world of privilege and shadows, where old families guard older mysteries, one woman stumbles upon a truth that the powerful would kill to keep buried. The blood of centuries demands to be reckoned with, and some debts can only be paid in the dark.
About the Author
Growing up with dyslexia, I discovered that writing wasn't just a way to communicate—it was a challenge that transformed my life.
Writing has been a part of who I am for as long as I can remember—a way to challenge myself, express my imagination, and build confidence in my own voice.
For many years, writing remained a personal passion. I've always been someone who enjoys taking on new challenges, and eventually I decided to pursue one of my biggest goals: writing and publishing a novel. What began as a personal challenge quickly became one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Today, I'm excited to share my stories with readers and bring the characters and worlds I've imagined to life. My hope is that my writing offers an escape, sparks curiosity, and leaves readers eager to discover what happens next.
When I'm not writing, you'll usually find me learning something new, working on creative projects, or looking for the next challenge to take on. Thank you for being part of this journey.
Creative people worth discovering.
I believe some of the most interesting work comes from independent writers, artists, and makers. This is a place to share a few I've encountered along the way.
Independent Jewelry Studio
Mavens & Ravens is an independent jewelry studio creating hand-fabricated pieces in sculpted sterling silver and stone. Founded with an emphasis on craftsmanship, individuality, and an alternative to mass-produced jewelry, each piece reflects the character of the materials and the hand of its maker. It's exactly the kind of independent creative work The Independent Shelf was created to highlight.
Visit Mavens & Ravens