Date Published: November 11, 2025
What would you risk to uncover a secret buried for over 150 years?
From bestselling and multi–award-winning author David R. Leng comes the
next pulse-pounding installment in the Echoes of Fortune series.
His debut, Echoes of Fortune: The Search for Braddock’s Lost Gold,
captivated readers and earned a 4.5-star rating on Goodreads. Now the
adventure continues with a brand-new novella that plunges deeper into
history’s deadliest secrets.
When historian Jack Sullivan, Smithsonian curator Emma Wilson, and fellow
former Navy SEAL Steve Johnson set out for a Thanksgiving dive off Cozumel,
they expect nothing more than warm waters and forgotten wrecks. Instead, they
uncover a Confederate ghost ship that vanished in 1865—along with a
sealed brass tube containing secrets powerful enough to change history.
But they’re not alone. Shadowy mercenaries and a black-hulled yacht
stalk their every move, determined to silence them before the truth surfaces.
From dazzling reefs to the back alleys of Veracruz, Jack and his team are
forced into a deadly game where history isn’t past—it’s a
weapon.
Some secrets don’t want to be found. And some will kill to stay buried.
Perfect for fans of Steve Berry, Clive Cussler, Dan Brown, and James Rollins,
Shadows Over Cozumel delivers nonstop action, historical intrigue, and a
mystery that spans centuries.
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Cozumel Mexico
Thursday, November 22, 2018
8:56 AM
The black mega yacht waited beyond Cozumel’s harbor mouth, a dark
predator lurking in sunlit waters. Cruise ships gleamed at the pier, fishing
boats slipped out toward the open sea, but this vessel did not belong. Sleek,
silent, and perfectly placed in deeper water, it radiated intent.
At the bow rail, a man in a white Panama hat with a dark band stood with
military stillness, his weathered hands gripping the binoculars trained on the
harbor. A gold watch caught the light as he lifted his wrist to check the
time.
A striking young woman approached in a sheer white cover-up over her swimsuit,
her smile as rehearsed as the silver tray she carried. She might have been a
model from one of the glossy magazines scattered in the salon, another prop in
the theater of wealth the man commanded.
Ice clinking, he took the drink without a glance, eyes locked on the port, as
if even beauty and luxury were beneath his notice.
“Sir,” a subordinate murmured, appearing at his shoulder,
“the Americans arrived last evening. Right on schedule.”
The binoculars never wavered.
“Our marine park contact confirmed they requested to dive La
Sombra.” The man paused, then continued in his Caribbean accent,
“We’ve been tracking them since they arrived. Sullivan—the
professor, the tall one. His Smithsonian curator fiancée. And his
fellow former SEAL friend. Our hacker says he’s been digging into the
Del Rio.”
Through the lenses, he watched three figures board the Maria Elena—a
tall, blond man helping the athletic woman with her gear, the muscular Black
man arranging air tanks with quiet efficiency.
“Possibly lethal. High profile,” he noted. “We should keep
this out of the media if we can. Let them dive.” He lowered the
binoculars, his eyes tracking the dive boat pulling from the pier. “But
if they become a problem…history will bury them too.”
About the Author
 David R. Leng, known for his expertise in risk management and insurance, now
ventures into the world of fiction with his latest historical thriller, Echoes
of Fortune. With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years, David is the
author of International #1 Best Sellers including “Insured to Fail” and “The
10 Laws of Insurance Attraction,” and has saved clients over $42 million in
premiums and overcharges. As Executive Vice President and Partner of the
Duncan Financial Group, David is celebrated for his innovative Risk Profile
Improvement Process and has earned numerous accolades, including Advisor of
the Year by the Institute of WorkComp Professionals. An avid contributor to
industry publications, David’s passion extends beyond his professional
achievements to include boating, skiing, woodworking, and supporting his local
high school’s musical productions. His foray into historical thrillers
reflects his deep storytelling skills and a lifelong commitment to engaging
and captivating audiences.
