In Shadows Beneath the Shore: Secrets of a Dominican Mine by Victor Acosta, Tony Costa is nothing special, just a high school senior. But he’s about to set off on a journey that will change his life. His father gives him a wonderful graduation gift, a trip to the Dominican Republic with his mother. When Tony finds out his father has died suddenly, and it might not have been from natural causes, things take a sinister turn. Reading his grandfather’s journals leads Tony on a quest to discover his family’s past, and what he uncovers terrifies him. But only by understanding the past can Tony hope to learn what caused his father’s death, and this is one journey he must see through to the bitter end. Will he get to the truth?

Shadows Beneath the Shore by Victor Acosta is a thrilling tale packed with action and plenty of twists, turns, and surprises along the way. It’s a story about uncovering family secrets and the knock-on effect some secrets can have later down the line. This is a culturally diverse mystery that will excite you as you follow Tony on his quest for the truth. The narrative is interspersed with journal entries that add depth and intrigue, and there’s some humor. The characters are exciting, fresh, and realistic people you can easily relate to, and you’ll certainly find it easy to empathize with Tony as he digs deeper into his history. This book is a real page-turner that will keep you reading long into the night, unable to put it down until you find out what happens. A thoroughly enjoyable story and highly recommended reading.

Shadows Beneath the Shore by Victor Acosta is a mystery thriller that follows high schooler Tony Costa's journey to uncover the truth behind his father's mysterious death, initially thought to be an accident. Tony learns that his father, Mario, had been investigating his grandfather Antonio Rossi's past mining activities in the Dominican Republic. As Tony digs deeper, he uncovers a family history involving amber and gold mining, ties to WWII, and a dangerous uranium discovery. His father’s death seems linked to these discoveries, which had drawn the attention of powerful figures, including the Dominican dictator Trujillo. Tony’s investigation, fueled by journals left by his grandfather and his godfather’s guidance, leads Tony on a courageous pursuit to answers about the legacy of his family’s involvement in the mine, the sacrifices they made, and the dangerous political forces they were up against.

In Shadows Beneath the Shore: Secrets of a Dominican Mine, Victor Acosta delivers a supremely unique tale that jumps countries and moves between past and present. I knew absolutely nothing about mining going into this book, nor did I know anything about Trujillo, and I found those aspects very interesting. I enjoy multigenerational mysteries and this one that spans World War II, post-war Europe, and the tumult of Dominican Republic politics. Acosta effectively breathes life into the journals of Tony’s grandfather, revealing a deeply personal history of survival, sacrifice, and ambition that directly impacts the present. The characters all feel authentic, and the author makes them come across as completely human. Overall, this is a well-written thriller with Tony as a protagonist we want to root for in a story that is immersive and entertaining. Very highly recommended.