Margaret M MacDonald

The Search

What better time in human history could you imagine to unearth Hope itself?

Logline

A beloved author and daughter of an infamous treasure hunter, who has a secret ability to see into the past, is recruited by an eccentric legend hunter to help her find the real object known as “Pandora’s Box”, with the goal of freeing the mythical creature “Hope” from inside.

Summary

Aurora “Rory” Freeman has a special gift. She can watch the human history anywhere in the world occur exactly as it happened, right before her eyes. Though she has kept this ability secret from everyone but her father Tyler, and his right hand man Dexter, it played no small part in building their fortunes as treasure hunters, and establishing her current fame as a renowned author of historical novels. But there is a price for her ability, witnessing long forgotten moments of human suffering, causes just as much suffering in Rory.

The ever rebellious Rory shunned treasure hunting after her father’s death, but a surprise visit introduces her to Eliza Cruz, a self proclaimed legend hunter, and her well presented business partner, Keo Noguchi. They propose that Rory help them find the Jar which was responsible for unleashing the plagues of misery on humanity, better known as to the world as “Pandora’s Box.” Eliza’s ultimate goal is to free the mythical creature “Hope” from inside in infamous Jar. Though quick to dismiss their mission as lunacy, Rory soon finds herself roped in by Dexter’s pressing need to be back in the field for one last adventure, and her publisher’s demand that she write their story into another bestseller.

Guided by first hand accounts from an ancient society who tried to escape the sudden curses brought on by a mysterious jar, Eliza leads a motley team on a race around the Mediterranean to recover Pandora’s Jar from its final resting place. Rory’s abilities, masked as mere instinct and insight, prove invaluable to their efforts. Rory maintains her casual obstinance as their journey continues, but unexpected travel through a city with a tragic past brings her abilities, and her weaknesses, to the surface.

Now aware of Rory’s priceless gift, the controlling Eliza tightens her grip, assuring that Rory will lead her to Pandora’s Jar and the world healing belief that she is certain the release of “Hope” will bring. Rory soon finds an unexpected ally in the ever calm and controlled Keo. As loyalties in the group fray, and the challenges they face become increasingly dangerous, finding the cursed object proves a more likely reality than Rory ever thought possible, especially when their path leads her back to the most enigmatic find her father ever made, putting her face to face with her own past.