Legend of the Jade Jaguar

About the Book

A successful rock musician, Travis Marlowe, disappears while vacationing with his fiancée in Cancun. Falsely accused of a crime he did not commit Travis crosses paths with a ruthless drug lord before being thrown into a notorious prison known as ‘Mexico’s Alcatraz’.
While in the remote island prison of Islas Marias, Marlowe befriends an older political prisoner named Emilio de Felipe Mendoza, a once acclaimed archeologist who fell out of favor with the new ruling party and was imprisoned. In his dying confession Mendoza entrusts Travis with an incredible secret that he has kept concealed from the new regime regarding the location of the funeral chamber containing the fabulous riches of the fabled Mayan Jaguar Queen.
Unbeknownst to Travis, ambition, jealousy and greed within his band’s inner circle conspired and seal his fate to obtain control over his musical legacy. Back in the States Travis has largely been forgotten except by his fiercely loyal fiancée, Cassidy Armstrong, who despite her grief and longing struggles to hold off a bandmate’s romantic advances while keeping the flame of hope alive.
Aided by a teenage kitchen boy named Mateo, Travis escapes from the island prison and the two of them begin a harrowing journey across Mexico in search of the lost treasure of the Jaguar Queen to fulfill a promise made to Emilio Mendoza. Along the way they are hounded by Federales and pursued by the leader of the Los Zetas cartel. Evading capture Travis travels to the Mayan ruins of Palenque seeking the lost fortune where he encounters the last remaining Mayan shaman.

About the Author

A former insurance executive, award-winning songwriter, author, historian and filmmaker Dave Hart is a family descendent of a Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey. He is a former Trustee for the Trenton Historical Society and an Advisor for the Ewing Township Historic Preservation Society. He is the author of SEARCH FOR THE MISSING HUNTER and several books in the McKenzie ‘Mac’ Cole, PI series: ALL THE PRETTY PIECES, TIPPING POINT, ALL THAT REMAINS, DARK MERCY, SISTERS OF THE MOON and SINS OF SIOBHAN, JUSTICE JERSEY-STYLE. Other publications written with former collaborator John Calu include TRENTON, a historical novel and ADVENTURES ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE featuring myths, legends and everyday mysteries of the Garden State. Dave is also the writer-director and producer of the two feature length documentaries, John Hart: Portrait Patriot and The Ballad of the Blue Heron & Red-Tailed Hawk, plus the writer - producer of two music videos entitled “If Only” featuring songstress Lisa Bouchelle and “Better Than It’s Been” featuring renowned Trenton rock ‘n roller, Ernie White.