The Five-Day Dig

by Jennifer Malin

An invitation to translate ancient inscriptions near Pompeii is a dream for college classics professor Winnie Price. Although the dig is for a television show instead of a scholarly project, it's a way to carry on the legacy of her archaeologist father, who died on their last trip to Italy.Then her department chair horns his way in on the gig. The show host is more sensationalist than scientist. Her cocky young assistant Chaz keeps flirting with her--and getting harder to resist. A looter’s hole appears at the excavation site. Worst of all, it turns out someone forged the referral letter that got her on the show, and the prime suspect is her--or Chaz.Add to the mix a reenactment of pagan rites spiced up with a psychoactive home-brewed beer, and Winnie has a lot more to interpret than Latin.Fans of Tessa Bailey, Nora Roberts and Catherine Bybee will love this international mystery with a vibrant Italian setting and an archaeological plot spiced up with symbolic elements. The novel is also infused with a good dose of intelligent romantic comedy.

Genres: Fiction

302 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2011

About the author

JENNIFER MALIN inherited double copies of the bookworm gene from a mom who reads voraciously and a dad who once spent his downtime writing in the crane he operated.

Her first two novels, AS YOU WISH, a time travel, and ETERNALLY YOURS, a ghost romance, were originally published by Jove (Penguin Group USA). Four works set in Regency England followed--one from Leisure and three from Zebra. Her latest books are TEMPLUM, a time travel with a contemporary heroine and an ancient Roman hero; THE FIVE-DAY DIG, a mystery set near Pompeii; and SEVENTH SANCTUARY, a steamy romance novella of ancient Ur.

Jen and her husband, Martin, an Aussie ex-pat, live outside of Philadelphia and love to travel. She's an art and archaeology enthusiast, a fan of film and Formula 1, and the proud aunt of two brilliant nephews.

Descriptions and sample chapters for all of Jen's books are available at www.jenmalin.com.

Reviews

[C.B. Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminded me very much of the early Elizabeth Peters novels with a plucky heroine, dark deeds among the digs, and a history-based mystery. It was a good read, with a great sense of place.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received an autographed copy of this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Had so many books on my list to read that I just barely finished this one - kept starting it and then putting it aside for something else. Had a little trouble getting interested in the main character and her background story, but once I finally decided to give the book my undivided attention, was able to get involved in the story and the characters and enjoy the result.