When Nazi and Japanese spies plan to dive on a shipwreck off Ocean City, New Jersey in 1941, history professor Luke Stone is saddled with a strong-willed female rookie agent to prevent stolen Chinese treasures from falling into the wrong hands, again!

SYNOPSIS:

In Ocean City, New Jersey, in 2005, ELIN GRUDEN STONE (82) recalls the most exciting weekend of her life. We flashback to July 3rd, 1941, when young history professor, LUKE STONE (25), is eager to test Jacques Cousteau’s latest Aqua-Lung and retrieve a 500-pound Golden Buddha from the Sindia, a shipwreck just 50 yards offshore. However, Hitler wants the Golden Buddha for his art collection, and Japanese spies want two 40-pound Jade Dogs buried with the Golden Buddha for their emperor. Luke reports seeing a German U-Boat on his first dive, and the government sends a strong-willed rookie agent, ELIN GRUDER (23), to assess the claim. No one believes Luke, opening the door to enemy spies, who are after Luke’s new diving gear and the treasure.

Luke is chased by two German THUGS (30) under the direction of U-Boat Commander, FRITZ WOLF (35). Luke battles German sympathizers at every turn, including Elin’s Papa, HEINZ (50), and members of the Hitler Youth. At a local Biergarten, Luke uncovers plans to arm German sympathizers, but he gets little help from Elin’s supervisor, FRANKY (30) and his partner, MORT (35). Fritz and the Japanese spies steal Luke’s new Aqua-Lung, and the race for the treasure is on.

The Japanese spies hunt down survivors of the 1901 shipwreck for information, while the Germans prepare for a Bund Rally (allegiance to Hitler). Along with the feisty Elin, Luke faces additional obstacles at every turn: a Nazi wrestler, BIG OTTO (30), a double-agent (Franky), and Elin’s kid-brother HANS (18), who is in the Hitler Youth. With assistance from John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (JUNIOR; 66), Luke and Elin take their case to FDR’s Chiefs of Staff, but still, no one believes them.

Luke and Elin find love as they are continually hunted by Nazis, but their situation appears hopeless when the Japanese spies kidnap Elin’s mother.

The first showdown is the night of July 4th; the Bund Rally. Fireworks fly as Luke foils Fritz’s plans to distribute rifles to the crowd. Elin, her Papa, Hans, and pro-U.S. Germans help. The second showdown is the sunrise dive on the Sindia. Luke must stall the Nazis and Japs, despite Elin’s parents being held at gunpoint in view of the dive site. Luke leads the treasure hunt, with Fritz and the Japanese spies armed with explosives and spearguns. The explosives open the Sindia for a glimpse of the Golden Buddha. Luke battles underwater to protect the treasure as the U-Boat closes in. In the end, Luke saves the day, the treasure remains buried, and help from FDR finally arrives. We flash forward to meet OLD LUKE (84) who shows old Elin a new plan to retrieve the Golden Buddha!

LUKE STONE AND THE SECRET OF THE GOLDEN BUDDHA BY TOM STOHLGREN AND STANLEY N. LOZOWSKI