A Baby's Bones by Rebecca Alexander

First Line: It was a bone from a baby's arm.

When called upon to excavate a sixteenth-century well, archaeologist Sage Westfield finds something completely unexpected. The bones of a woman and a newborn baby make it clear that she and her team have stumbled upon an historical crime scene-- one that is interwoven with local legends of witchcraft no less.

But there's more than meets the eye to this four-hundred-year-old mystery. The cottage that sits on the same piece of property as the well is claimed to be haunted, and the local vicar is being plagued with abusive phone calls. Then a tragic death occurs, making it all too clear that there's a modern-day murderer at work.

Rebecca Alexander's A Baby's Bones is a well-paced, engrossing mystery with sympathetic characters and two timelines that really compliment each other. Lovers of archaeology and anthropology should enjoy this mystery that touches on witchcraft, alchemy, French embroiderers, and the usual lineup of unrequited love, jealousy, and a few other sins.

Archaeologist Sage Westfield is a strong, interesting main character who can't rest until she puts together as many pieces of this centuries-old puzzle as she can. I was thrilled to see that this is the first book in a new series because I wasn't ready to leave Sage and the other characters that Alexander has created. A Baby's Bones strongly reminded me of my favorite Wesley Peterson series by Kate Ellis, which also has two timelines and an archaeological context, although there's no strong police presence here.

If your preference is for strong mysteries, full-bodied characters, and a bit of history, I highly recommend Rebecca Alexander's first Sage Westfield mystery.

A Baby's Bones by Rebecca Alexander

ISBN: 9781785656217

Titan Books © 2018

Paperback, 473 pages

Archaeological Mystery, #1 Sage Westfield mystery

Rating: A

Source: the publisher


 

Findings by Mary Anna Evans

First Line: A good day at work typically left Faye Longchamp covered in sweat, rain, dust, dirt, or mud, depending on weather conditions.

Archaeologist Faye Longchamp can't believe her good fortune: she's being paid to excavate a site that once belonged to her family-- something she would've done for free. But all that good fortune turns to tragedy when the dear friend who's funding the dig is found murdered by intruders who left him to die amongst the remains of Faye's artifacts.

Even a grief-stricken Faye can see that something's not right about her friend's death. The safe in the house is untouched, and everything of any real value has been left behind. The only thing Faye can think of is that the intruders were aware of the existence of the fabulous emerald that Faye had found that evening. With the blessing of the local police, Faye begins to track down the history of the mysterious emerald. How is her work connected to her friend's death, and how long will it take for the killers to come for her?

For any crime fiction fan interested in archaeology, Mary Anna Evans' Faye Longchamp series is a treasure trove. Faye runs on too little sleep, so she's able to get dirty doing her job as well as to take time to investigate murders. A topic that's an important part of the story is the depredation of archaeological sites by illegal "pot hunters" who dig up (and ruin) sites, taking away anything of value to sell on eBay or to private buyers. Furthermore, Evans incorporates oral history, letters, diaries, and other things to bring the historical aspects of her books to life. In the case of Findings, readers can follow along on a treasure hunt that ties into the lives and letters of a married couple who lived during the Civil War. To make matters worse, the killers are doing their own research, and they will stop at nothing to get what they want.

There are so many layers in this book, but actually Findings is all about love-- Civil War era Jedediah and Viola, Faye's friend Douglass and his wife Emma, police chief Mike and his wife Magda.... Love touches Faye, too, and she has some soul searching to do while she's not doing research or dodging killers. Will she choose life in Atlanta with Ross, or staying at Joyeuse with Joe? If you've read previous books in the series, you'll probably have a choice, but if you're new to these characters, you won't feel lost.

Love, treasure, history, and murder set on islands off the coast of Florida. In the hands of Mary Anna Evans, it's a slice of magic.

Findings by Mary Anna Evans

ISBN: 9781590586235

Poisoned Pen Press © 2008

Paperback, 265 pages

Amateur Sleuth, #4 Faye Longchamp mystery

Rating: A-

Source: Purchased at The Poisoned Pen. 

American Caliphate by William Doonan

First Line: Early November was a confusing time of year, if neighborhood decorations were any indicator.

The north coast of Peru is one of the driest places on Earth. It's possible to find burial sites that are over 1,000 years old that contain skeletons still wrapped in their shrouds. But El Niño is a weather pattern that can destroy delicate remains that archaeologists uncover. That's why Professor Beckham has a mere thirty days to complete a dig at the Santiago de Paz pyramids-- and why archaeologists Jila Wells and Ben Juarez are rushing to join him and his team.

After a near-fatal attack on the previous dig the two worked together, Jila isn't all that enthusiastic about going, but she is enthusiastic about what they're trying to uncover. According to information that's been discovered, these Inca ruins contain a document that will have grave ramifications in the Islamic world-- and once Jila and Ben arrive on site, they learn that others want to keep that document hidden.

American Caliphate is a book that will appeal to anyone who loves a good tale of adventure, a good fast-paced mystery, and archaeology. Doonan is skilled at sharing historical detail without lessening the pace of his story. As a reader who's always been interested in archaeology, I appreciated the book's verisimilitude: the dig felt like a real dig, and not bare-bones window dressing.

The premise that there was an illegal expedition charged with bringing the word of Allah to Spanish Peru in the sixteenth century is an intriguing one, and not at all unbelievable, since I was already familiar with the Parana area. South America isn't just for Catholics, and hasn't been for a long, long time.

Although-- as in almost all thrillers-- the characters aren't quite as fleshed out as I prefer them, I have to admit that I wouldn't mind seeing Jila Wells make an appearance in another book. I'd definitely like to know more about her.

Fascinating historical detail, a fast pace, lots of action, shadowy, scary bad guys, and a high altitude setting that will leave readers breathless. American Caliphate is one very enjoyable read.
 

American Caliphate by William Doonan

ISBN: 9781610090438

Oak Tree Press © 2012

Paperback, 260 pages

Thriller, Standalone

Rating: B-

Source: the publicist 

The Gold of Thrace by Aileen G. Baron

First Line: "I saw it all," the American woman was saying.

Archaeologist Tamar Saticoy has discovered a wonderful Roman mosaic floor in the ruins of a building at her dig in Turkey. In order to be properly studied, it must be very carefully removed and transported offsite. However, the entire floor is stolen overnight. Couple the theft with the murder of a member of the archaeological staff, and Tamar knows something deadly serious is going on, and she wants to get to the bottom of it.

While Orman tries to follow the route of the stolen mosaic, the other director at the dig, Andrew Chatham, has left, traveling to Bulgaria where he finds a hoard of ancient Thracian gold. Tamar finds clues to the mosaic that lead her to Basel, Switzerland and the antiquities dealer, Gilberto Dela Barcolo. Then other members of the team die, and Tamar finds herself deep in a labyrinth of theft and forgery.

Archaeologist Aileen Baron knows how to bring her subject to life. Her settings in Turkey, Bulgaria, and Switzerland, the scenes at the dig, her descriptions of Roman antiquities, and her telling of the legends surrounding the Thracian gold are wonderful. I have a fondness for archaeological mysteries, and Baron's talent at describing the work, the setting, and the rewards are among the very best. The book's foundation is rock solid.

Where the book fell apart a bit for me was in the mystery. Tamar never once impressed me as someone who could go undercover in such a deadly enterprise and come out in one piece. She made rookie mistakes that the bad guys should've noticed immediately. Also, the other three members of the team-- Mustafa, Orman, and Chatham-- scatter in all directions. We seldom know what Mustafa is up to, Orman basically disappears like a wisp of smoke, and Chatham remains as the only other character we get to follow for any distance. These characters and their actions needed to be woven more tightly into the narrative instead of dangling like loose threads.

The mystery is a complicated one. With so much going on, the story needed more than 190 pages to be well told. Just as I thought I was beginning to piece things together, the solutions were presented. Game over.

Although I did have a problem or two with the mystery, there was more than enough in The Gold of Thrace for me to like. I will definitely be looking for more of Baron's books.

The Gold of Thrace by Aileen G. Baron

ISBN: 9781590587737

Poisoned Pen Press © 2010

Paperback, 190 pages

Genre: Archaeological Mystery, Amateur Sleuth, #1 Tamar Saticoy mystery

Rating: C+/B-

Source: Purchased at The Poisoned Pen

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.

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Effigies by Mary Anna Evans

Title: Effigies
Author: Mary Anna Evans
ISBN: 9781590584545, Poisoned Pen Press, 2007
Genre: Amateur Sleuth, #3 Faye Longchamp mystery
Rating: B+
Source: purchased at The Poisoned Pen

First Line: Faye Longchamp had work to do, but it would wait.

From her ramshackle ancestral home on an island off the coast of Florida, Faye Longchamp and her assistant Joe Wolf Mantooth have traveled to Mississippi to help excavate a site near the sacred mound where tradition says the Choctaw Nation was born. Carroll Calhoun refuses to allow the archaeologists on his farm to investigate an even larger mound, and they are disappointed, but Calhoun breaks their hearts when he tries to bulldoze the ancient site into oblivion. When the farmer later turns up dead, Faye finds herself trying to find the killer before Joe Wolf Mantooth is thrown in jail.

I love mysteries laced with a strong dose of archaeology, and in my opinion, Evans' series featuring Faye Longchamp is the best of the bunch. She's got a fine cast of characters; she uses her settings to advantage; and she always seems able to include more history and archaeology into her stories than many other writers. Effigies is no exception. Ever since I visited Cahokia as a child, I've been fascinated with the Mound Builders. Evans added to my knowledge in an entertaining way. She also threw me right in the middle of the heat and humidity of Mississippi amongst rednecks, scholars, law enforcement, the Choctaw and handed me a mystery to sort out. The only weakness in the whole thing was the identity of the bad guy. I figured it out early on, but I didn't much care because I still had to deduce the Why. Well, that and the fact that I was enjoying playing around in the dirt with Faye again.

If you're in the mood for mysteries with interesting, multi-faceted characters, an excellent sense of place, and a good dose of history and archaeology, you can't go wrong with Mary Anna Evans' series. Go ahead. Pick up a trowel and work in a trench with Faye. You'll be glad you did.