Blood & Gold

Title: Blood & Gold: The Curse of Pirate La Buse and the Treasure That Doomed a Thousand Souls Author: Mighty Marie-Therese Genre: Historical Thriller / Adventure Nonfiction BOOK DESCRIPTION: He stole a kingdom's ransom. He buried it where no man could follow. Three centuries later, the hunt—and the curse—live on. In the lawless waters of the 18th-century Indian Ocean, one name struck terror into empires: Olivier Levasseur, the pirate known as La Buse (The Buzzard). A master tactician with a poet's soul and a killer's instinct, Levasseur orchestrated the most audacious heist in pirate history: the plunder of the Nossa Senhora do Cabo, a Portuguese treasure ship carrying a fortune in gold, diamonds, and the sacred Fiery Cross of Goa—a gem-encrusted relic said to bleed the blood of Christ. But it was not gold that doomed him. On the gallows in 1730, Levasseur hurled a cipher into the crowd, igniting a 300-year quest for his buried treasure. The Cryptogram of La Buse, a riddle of symbols and blood-soaked bravado, has lured kings, convicts, and fools to their graves. Some drowned in storm-wracked seas. Others went mad in sun-scorched jungles. All whispered of a curse. Mighty Marie-Therese, award-winning historian and chronicler of maritime legends, unravels the truth behind the myth. From the Seychelles' shadowy coves to Vatican archives, this New York Times bestselling author exposes: The Fiery Cross of Goa—stolen relic or devil's trick? The ghost ship Postillon and its crew of butchered souls. The cursed bloodline of La Buse, still scheming to claim their prize. Modern-day hunters armed with drones, AI, and desperation. Praise for Blood & Gold**:** "A masterpiece of historical suspense. Marie-Therese doesn't just tell La Buse's story—she resurrects him." —Douglas Preston, #1 Bestselling Author of The Lost City of the Monkey God "The pirate epic we've been waiting for. Thrilling, haunting, and utterly unputdownable." —Simone St. James, Author of The Sun Down Motel Why You'll Love It: For fans of The Lost City of Z and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dive into a world of cursed treasure, coded maps, and cutthroat betrayals. Newly uncovered evidence: Marie-Therese reveals never-before-seen documents, including Levasseur's lost letters and forensic analysis of the cryptogram. Cinematic storytelling: Feel the salt spray, hear the creak of the gallows, and taste the madness of obsession. The Treasure Still Waits. The Curse Still Breathes. Will You Dare to Look?