Thursday, January 12, 2012

Come in and Cover Me by Gin Phillips

Title: Come In and Cover Me
Author: Gin Phillips
ISBN: 9781594488443
Publisher: Riverhead Books, 2012
Hardcover, 352 pages
Genre: Fiction, (very light) Paranormal
Rating: B+
Source: Publicist

First Line: Ren stood perfectly still in the dark, listening.

Ren's beloved brother Scott died in a car crash when she was twelve. Since that time, Scott has always been a presence in her life even though it may only be in the few notes of a song or a shadow in the moonlight. Twenty-five years later, her ability to connect with the ghosts around her makes her especially sensitive as an archaeologist. Ren has dedicated her life to breathing life into those people who lived in this world long before us. She is focused on recreating how they lived, in telling their stories. 

Now she's on the verge of the most important discovery of her career. The spirits of two Mimbres women are guiding her-- and not just to the remnants of their own lives. They are also trying to deliver a message to Ren about her developing relationship with a fellow archaeologist who's working on the dig with her.

This book is enjoyable for the New Mexico setting as well as the archaeology and the information about the Mimbres culture. For those of you who tend not to like anything that smacks of the paranormal, you'll be happy to note that Phillips has an extremely delicate touch with it here. As you get to know Ren, the ghosts that surround her seem to be more a coping mechanism than spooky things that supposedly go bump in the night.

No matter how interesting the archaeology or the setting or the pottery-making skills of ancient tribes, Come In and Cover Me is all about Ren, and she is a fascinating character. Yes, she has dedicated her life to recreating the lives of those long-dead and to telling their stories, but in the process she's avoided living her own life. As the pages turned, I began trying to will Ren to change. I think you will, too.


8 comments:

  1. Cathy - Oh, I've always liked archaeology, and Ren's character does sound interesting. Put in the New Mexico setting and I'm interested. I'm not much of a one for the paranormal so it's good to hear it's done well...

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  2. I don't enjoy paranormal unless it's handled with a light touch - then it seems natural for some reason. This sounds good to me.

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  3. Margot-- I knew that several of my readers aren't fans of the paranormal, so that's why I made a point of sharing that! :)

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  4. Kathy, I did enjoy it. You might, too.

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  5. My brother is an archeologist and we have had several field trips with him into ruins, digs and more. When we visited the ruins (Chaco Canyon)in New Mexico it was hard NOT to feel the presence those who've gone on and passed this way but once. This sounds like one book I might like to dip my little piggie toes into. Thanks!!

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  6. IaB-- I would love to go to Chaco. Denis and I have been in Canyon de Chelly as well as Mystery Canyon in Monument Valley, and it's almost impossible not to feel the spirits of those who have gone before.

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  7. I skipped to your last paragraph because I want to read this. I'm of course attracted to anything anthropology / archaeology.

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  8. Candace-- Yes, I thought about you as I was writing this review!

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