The Boat House

Book 0: Twin Lights

by Fern Michaels

Genres: Siblings; Women's Fiction

Synopsis

Running their inherited marina in a quirky, picturesque New Jersey shore town, siblings Madison and Lincoln Wainright discover what could be a map to Captain Kidd’s lost treasure in this fresh, adventure-filled Twin Lights novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels.

An unexpected inheritance from their late uncle brought Madison (Taylor) Wainwright and her brother Lincoln to Smuggler’s Cove. But it’s the quirky, close-knit locals who’ve convinced them to stay for the summer. The little town may be worlds away from the privileged existence the siblings knew before their father was arrested for fraud, but here, they’ve found a sense of belonging.

After renovating the dilapidated boat house that once served as a local marina for crabbers and clammers, Madison and Lincoln are settling in for a true Jersey Shore summer, complete with the town’s famous Seafood Festival. Visitors love learning about the area’s history—the tales of pirates and privateers, cryptic maps and buried treasure. Those stories seem like harmless fantasy until a seemingly worthless map is stolen from their boathouse.

Could their uncle’s rudimentary map show the true location of Captain Kidd’s treasure? Or was there another, more sinister motive behind the theft? As Madison and Lincoln dig deeper, they learn that the legends underpinning Smuggler’s Cove’s history may also have the power to tear it apart, unless they can quickly separate fiction from fact, and guilty from innocent…

Release date: August 25, 2026

Publisher: Kensington Books

Print pages: 256

Sample

Present Day: Memorial Day Weekend

A crowd of over a hundred onlookers, reporters from the local newspaper, and friends gathered along the dock. Madison held a large pair of shears, and Lincoln’s hand was on a rope. The group began to cheer with a countdown: “Five, four, three, two, one!” In unison, Madison cut the ribbon as Lincoln unveiled the new white sign with a steel-blue frame. In the center was a modern, nautical logo, designed by Madison, announcing KIRBY’S MARINA. As the spectators expressed their delight with whistles, hoots, and a muffled air horn, Charlie, Hannah, and Crusty tossed marina-logo baseball caps to the enthusiastic crowd. “You gotta buy the next one!” Charlie shouted, with the biggest smile he could remember having. Madison, Lincoln, Olivia, and Giada hugged almost everyone in the crowd. Everyone except Viggo, who stood to the side with his arms folded. He, too, had one of the biggest smiles he could remember. He assured himself that he would get his hug at some point. He hoped.

The next night was the awards ceremony. The party was in full swing, with local musician Bobby Bandiera rousing the crowd. Madison could not remember the last time she felt this happy. She was truly part of this community. But her delight faltered when Detective Burton approached with a serious look on his face. Lincoln noticed, too, and walked over to his sister.

“I have some bad news,” Burton said to the siblings.

“What is it?” Madison asked with great concern.

“The shed was robbed,” Burton announced.

“Robbed?” Lincoln looked incredulous. “What on earth could they take?”

Burton looked over his shoulder. Madison followed his gaze and saw Josh Hanover, the teenager who worked part-time at the marina. He was visibly shaken.

“Josh, are you okay? What’s wrong?” Madison asked, unnerved.

“I left my jacket there yesterday and went back to get it. That’s when I noticed the door was off its hinges. When I went inside, the first thing I saw was the empty space on the wall.”

“Empty space?” Lincoln was puzzled. “Wait, do you mean the map? Why would anyone steal that?”

Madison was confused, too. “Was anything else taken?”

Burton stepped forward. “I hate to pull you away from the reception, but I suggest we walk over and see if anything is missing.”

Madison took a deep breath. “Yes. Of course.”

Viggo had joined them when he first saw the look of concern on Madison’s face. He touched her arm. “I’ll go with you.”

From across the room, Hannah saw the commotion and came rushing over. “What’s going on?” she asked, out of breath.

Madison filled her in quickly. “We know they took the map that was hanging in the entrance, but we’re heading over there now to check what else they took.”

“Well, we’re going with you,” Hannah declared, looking around for her husband. She saw Charlie across the room, chatting with a few of his pals. She began to flap her arms and call out his name.

When Charlie noticed, he excused himself from the conversation and rushed to his wife. Hannah breathlessly gave him what little details she had.

“Someone stole the map! We’re going to the boat house now.”

“The what?” Charlie asked with a look of confusion on his face.

“The map!” Hannah slapped him on the arm.

“Oh, geez,” Charlie grumbled.

Burton motioned for them to walk with him to the dock, which was a few blocks away.

“I’m having trouble separating facts from folklore.” Madison sighed.

“You’re not alone. This area is a gold mine of stories and tales, especially when it comes to treasure,” Rob Burton responded. “I grew up in Smuggler’s Cove and have heard everything, from giant water snake monsters devouring local clammers, to hidden treasures somewhere along the shore. Then there were the shipwrecks off the coast that bred many tall tales. I’ve heard a multitude of iterations.”

Madison had to chuckle. “I am sure you have. And it seems like Uncle Kirby believed some of these tales, too.”

“Burton nodded. “Legend has it that both Captain Kidd and Blackbeard buried their treasures in various areas along the Jersey Shore’s inland waterways. The locations of these riches remain a mystery, and an obsession with many fortune seekers.”

“So, you think someone thought that map was real and would lead them to a hidden treasure?” Madison asked.

“Could be.”

As they neared the marina, Madison looked in the direction of the newly remodeled fishing shack that now served as a permanent food truck for Hannah’s clam rolls, and a small rental office for clamming and crabbing boats. It would hopefully also serve as a gathering place where folks could come and trade fish tales and community news.

For the second time in a couple of months, the boat house was the site of a crime scene. Her so-called inheritance from her uncle seemed to be rife with issues. Madison was an inch from her initial desire to get rid of it. She quieted her racing thoughts and focused on the friendships she developed. They were certainly worth every ounce of aggravation the family project claimed. But now this? Another bad situation?

As they approached the dock, Madison recalled her first visit to the marina. She had been wearing her usual white attire and white patent-leather stilettos. The creosote planks were unforgiving, with just enough space between the gaps to pull on her 800-dollar shoes. She went face-first into a mess of chum, clamshells, and other unidentifiable slime. The white off-the-shoulder cocktail dress she was wearing now was even more inappropriate, but at least she was wise enough to remove her Louboutins. They dangled from her fingers as she made her way barefoot down the dock. With her free hand, she linked arms with the still-shaken Hannah.

Josh’s account was correct. The door had been jimmied and hung askew on its hinges. Burton stepped inside first, then gestured that it was safe to enter.

Nothing looked out of place, except for the blank wall where the old treasure map Madison had reframed once hung. She folded her arms. “Seriously? That old map?”

Burton shrugged. “As I said, lots of lore. There are dozens of rumors; there’s more than a handful of people who believe they’re true.”

She walked over to the cash drawer. “But they didn’t take any money. There’s at least two hundred dollars here.”

“Apparently they got what they came for.” Burton nodded to the empty wall.

“Do you really think that map was worth anything?” she asked with a furrowed brow.

“They think it will lead them to something worth something,” Burton said dryly.

Madison shook her head. “A treasure? Really?” she asked.

Burton shrugged. “Like I said, legends and lore.”

Crusty stood outside on the dock and stared in disbelief. His eyes were watering, and he pulled his brand-new baseball cap down to cover them. Even the embroidered lettering that spelled out KIRBY’S seemed to frown. He made his way inside and began to apologize. “I’m so sorry. So, so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” Madison placed her hand on his trembling, bony shoulder.

“I shoulda stayed around and kept an eye on the place,” he mumbled.

“No one expected you to,” Madison said kindly. “The place was locked up.”

“I shoulda known them scavengers would be back,” he hissed through the gap between his front teeth. “You gonna go after ’em, Chief?” Crusty insisted on referring to Burton as Chief, since the town was without one. Everyone believed it was only a matter of time before Burton got the promotion.

“I’ll get Viggo to check the CCTV to see who’s been in and out of the inlet.”

“They prob’ly went downriver.”

“We can ask some of the waterfront restaurants if they have any footage from their cameras,” Viggo responded.

Burton turned to Madison. “How much do you think the map is worth?”

She couldn’t help but let out a guffaw. “I suppose it depends on where it leads. But according to the historian at the Twin Lights museum, it isn’t worth any money itself. Just another old piece of parchment with a rudimentary drawing of the shoreline. He said it wasn’t to scale or accurate.”

“I’m telling ya, it’s them Farrell boys,” Crusty spat. He was referring to the surviving brothers of the dead body found tangled in the ropes under the dock a few months earlier.

“Do they have real jobs?” Madison asked curiously.

“If you can call petty larceny a job, I suppose so,” Burton said with a grunt. “They have a salvage and diving business, but word around town is that the company is in financial trouble and they haven’t turned a profit in years. Dennis, the oldest, is dead, and the bank’s been breathing down Mikey’s neck. Maybe they’re looking for a windfall but it seems unlikely.”

Madison stood silently. Should she put a claim into her insurance company? For what amount? The cost of hinges? A framed what? Pretend treasure map? No. She decided to suck it up, get the door fixed, and move on. But where? Pack it up after the summer and head back to the city?

For the past few weeks, she had spent time musing about her life. She wasn’t sure of the exact moment, but at some point, she began to embrace the simple, easygoing lifestyle of Smuggler’s Cove. Her appreciation for the scenery, and the connection with down-to-earth people, began chipping away at her hard shell.

Madison was comfortable here. A charming captain added to the magic of the coastal surroundings, and Madison discovered she had been reinventing herself once again. This time, it was voluntary. Not mandatory.

But now, another slap of reality: someone had invaded her sense of feeling grounded. Perhaps that was the riddle she had been wrestling with: could one truly be grounded on the Navesink River?

Madison braced herself and refused to show any emotion, but Hannah could not contain her dismay. She was on the verge of tears. Madison wrapped her arms around her new friend and looked at the distressed faces around her. In that moment, she began to regard the incident as a personal assault on her and her friends. She may not know who her adversaries were, but she was determined to find out. They had no idea whom they were dealing with. She was shaken, but surely not rattled. There was more to this. She could feel it.

Madison realized she had to set her priorities, but for now, she put on a brave face. Clearly the group was disheartened, but Madison injected a bit of humor. “Uncle Kirby would be proud that someone thought enough of his artwork to steal it!” A few responded with nervous chuckles. “Come on, everyone! We have an award to accept on Uncle Kirby’s behalf!” She smiled reassuringly.

Hannah wiped away a tear and turned on her heels. “Shake a leg! We need to celebrate Kirby! She motioned for the group to follow her. “Then, after the ceremony, we’re heading back here for my famous fried clams. Free rolls for everyone!”

The atmosphere lightened as the group proceeded back to the festivities.

Viggo was hesitant. Should he put his arm around Madison’s shoulder? She answered his silent question by threading her arm through the crook of his. During the short time that he knew her, he had developed a keen appreciation for Madison. She was beautiful, bright, and had a will of steel. No one would accuse of her of being a “softie,” but she was also kind, and she wasn’t shy about her compassion for people, pets, and Mother Nature. No doubt she was a champion of truth and justice. She set a high bar for herself and the people in her orbit. If people didn’t share her values, she would keep them at a congenial arm’s length. No sense in making enemies. If they were in distress, she would find a way to lend a hand without compromising her values. But if you were a cheat and got caught, she showed no mercy. The scars were deep from when her father put her, her family, and many unsuspecting clients in financial peril. Toss in a good helping of extreme humiliation. Hence her tough exterior.

Things were different now. She was different now. Perhaps it was the surroundings that softened her edges or gave her permission to be herself. Viggo appreciated the duality of Madison Wainwright. He sensed she was being valiant for everyone’s sake. He smiled to himself, gave her arm a slight squeeze, and whispered, “We’ll figure this out.”

Aside from her brother, Madison never had anyone else figure anything out for her. Could this be something she could get used to? It was a stretch. It would require lowering her defenses. As much as she wanted to, she wasn’t quite sure she was ready for that. A few walls could serve as protection without being a fortress, she thought to herself. In spite of the assault on her property, at that moment, she felt safe.

On their way back to the ceremony, they passed a small park with a bench and a garden. It was the first time Madison noticed the inscription on the sign on the slope of the hill. It read: GERTRUDE EDERLE PARK. “I didn’t realize there was an association with Olympic swimmer Gertrude Ederle.”

“Yes! She used to practice swimming here,” Hannah remarked with pride. “She actually came here in 1975 to dedicate the park herself! ‘Queen of the Waves.’ I was in high school at the time, almost the same age as she was when she got her medals. In 1924, at the age of eighteen, Ederle took a gold and two bronze medals in the Paris Olympic Games. Imagine that.” Hannah continued to recount some of Ederle’s accomplishments. “She wanted to be the first woman to swim the English Channel. In 1925, she swam from Battery Park in Manhattan”—she pointed past the other marinas—“to right there in Sandy Hook. Imagine that! Twenty-two miles! She was getting ready for her big challenge!”

Madison smiled at Hannah’s enthusiasm. She was happy her mood had shifted. “And she accomplished her goal,” Madison added, encouraging Hannah to continue.

“She sure did. The first woman to ever do it, too! And she was only nineteen years old! Imagine that!” She repeated one of her favorite expressions. “Ya know she went deaf from having the measles when she was a kid.”

“No, I didn’t know that,” Madison replied.

“Yep. Happened somewhere around 1940. And she started a school to teach swimming to deaf people.”

“Impressive. That’s what I call giving back.” Madison mused. What was she going to give back? She was confident something would inspire her, but for now, it was time to get back to celebrating Uncle Kirby. There was nothing she could do about the burglary. Burton and his capable team would take the necessary measures.

Bobby’s band was on a break when they returned, and a number of people were dancing. Madison was glad the news of the robbery hadn’t spread; no use spoiling everyone’s night.

Caroline Broullon, the town’s mayor, caught Madison’s eye and smiled. She hopped on the stage, grabbed one of the music stands, and set it up as a podium for her speech. Madison and Lincoln made their way toward the front while Hannah, Charlie, Crusty, Josh, and Viggo stood along the side of the seated crowd.

Viggo watched Madison carefully. She looked stunning. With her heels back on, she stood regally at the side of the stage. Her hair was brushed behind one ear, exposing a silver starfish earring. He thought she resembled a slightly younger Cate Blanchett. He recalled Madison telling him that her mother was akin to Jessica Lange. He could see the similarities. But he was more impressed with her calm demeanor, considering what had transpired at the boat house.

Several minutes passed before the band’s song ended and the mayor walked across the stage and stood in front of the microphone. “Hello, good people of Smuggler’s Cove, and all our visitors!” Whistles, hoots, and applause filled the summer air. “Welcome to the thirtieth annual festival!” More applause and whistles. “I hope everyone is enjoying themselves. It’s great to have Bobby and the Bobcats back this year. They sure know how to keep a party going!”

The crowd whistled and clapped in agreement.

“But before we let Bobby back on stage, we have our annual ceremony to honor a devoted member of our community. It saddens me to say that he is no longer on this earthly plane, but if I know Kirby, his spirit is most definitely here!” More applause. “As many of you know, the Taylor marina was Kirby’s pride and joy. He welcomed anyone who wanted to go clamming or crabbing, giving them tips on the best places, and the best time. He wouldn’t rent you a boat if he knew you’d come back empty-handed or wouldn’t come back at all.” Another round of applause and chuckles emanated from the onlookers. “But when the big storm hit last year, the marina got clobbered, leaving Kirby a massive job. But before he could begin the repairs, Kirby took one last ride to watch the sunrise. Of course he didn’t know it would be his last, but then again, perhaps he did. As Crusty put it so eloquently, ‘Kirby sailed to the other side, doing what he loved most.’”

Crusty smiled proudly at the mention of his name.

The mayor continued her brief speech. “When we heard Kirby left the marina to his niece and nephew, many of us were skeptical of the marina’s future. But when we saw the work being done with Charlie overseeing the project, we knew it would be something everyone would be proud of, including Kirby. So, I want to take this moment to introduce Kirby’s family and present them with the Annual Seafood Festival Award for outstanding contributions to our community in memory of Kirby Taylor. Please welcome Madison and Lincoln Wainwright.”

The audience burst into a raucous ovation. Someone yelled, “We wasn’t sure about you city folks, but yer o-right by me,” which was followed with more chortles and clapping.

Madison took the mic. She’d already made a short speech at the ribbon cutting yesterday, and kept most of the script. “Thank you. Thank you very much,” she said with an open smile. “I have to admit when we first saw the marina, I was taken aback. Then the dock took my shoes.” More laughs. “It became widely known that the city lady fell flat on her face.” She waited for the laughter to stop, then continued. “Yes, it came as a surprise. All of it, actually. We had no idea Uncle Kirby planned to leave it to us, but he must have known Lincoln and I would do something worthwhile with it.” Applause. “Thanks to my brother’s mathematical skills, Charlie’s connections, and Hannah’s clam rolls, we are very proud of what is now Kirby’s Marina.” Applause and whistles. “I’d like to turn this over to my brother, Lincoln.” The audience clapped loudly again.

“Thanks, Madison.” Lincoln nodded toward his sister. “Actually, there are many people to thank, especially the people of this great town.” Hoots traveled through the throng. “As my sister . . .