Treasure Me by Christine Nolfi

Petty thief Birdie Kaminsky has arrived in Liberty, Ohio to steal a treasure hidden since the Civil War. She’s in possession of a charming clue passed down in her family for generations: Liberty safeguards the cherished heart.

The beautiful thief wants to go straight. She secretly admires the clue’s author, freedwoman Justice Postell, who rose above the horrors of slavery to build a new life in Ohio. According to family lore, Justice left South Carolina at the dawn of the Civil War. Heavy with child, she carried untold riches on her journey north. As Birdie searches for the treasure, she begins to believe a questionable part of the story: a tale of love between Justice and Lucas Postell, the French plantation owner who was Birdie’s ancestor.

If the stories are true, Justice bore a child with Lucas. Some of those black relatives might still live in town. Birdie can’t help but wonder if she’s found one—Liberty’s feisty matriarch, Theodora Hendricks, who packs a pistol and heartwarming stories about Justice. Birdie doesn’t know that an investigative reporter who has arrived in town will trip her up—as will her conscience when she begins to wonder if it’s possible to start a new life with stolen riches. Yet with each new clue she unearths, Birdie begins to discover a family history more precious than gems, a tradition of love richer than she could imagine.


This book has a very interesting premise, a thief who wants to straighten her path, and with a secret ancestry that has led her to a small town to search for her roots…and jewels. It took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I did, I enjoyed it very much.

Birdie, the reluctant thief, is an interesting character, with a believably complex personality that makes the story gel together well. She has witty banter, and attitude enough to make me laugh out loud many times. I loved all the many characters that seem to have little relevance to the plot, but who are actually important to keep the story moving.

The puzzle, the secret that neither Birdie nor the reader knows, is as intelligently crafted as the growing romance between Birdie and Hugh. The many twists and turns that lead us along with them to the truth take many unexpected turns. It will keep you turning the pages.

The writing is spotless, clean and precise, without being cold. There is a style to it that is refreshing, light yet strikingly beautiful. I only had a little bit of trouble at the beginning, it felt just a tad slow, or at least it didn’t catch my attention, but after about two chapters, the writing had submerged me into the story.

I can recommend this to lovers of mysteries and romances alike. Come and find out what Liberty is hiding.