Track of the Scorpion

Nicolette Scott Mystery #1

by Val Davis

Nicolette Scott is an archaeologist with an unusual specialty--the recent past--and an even odder passion--uncovering lost airplanes. But ancient civilizations are where the funding is, and the New Mexico badlands are where her father is, so Nick bides her time on a dig of prehistoric Anasazi dwellings.

When a prospector brings word of his unexpected find--an airplane buried in the shifting sands of the desert--Nick is eager to investigate. What she finds is an American B-17 bomber, shot down over friendly territory, its long-dead crew still inside. As Nick tries to trace the warplane's origins and crew, she soon realizes she's triggered a massive cover-up. Within days, the newspaper that reported her discovery has retracted its story, the B-17 itself has disappeared completely, Nick's career is in serious jeopardy...and people who saw the plane are starting to die. And it will take every survival instinct Nick's learned in the brutal desert to keep her from being the next.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

336 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

A pen name used by Robert Irvine with his wife Angie.

Val Davis studied anthropology and archaeology at the University of California at Berkeley and now lives in Northern California.

Reviews

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taking place in New Mexico, while on a dig with her well known father, our heroine hears about a plane found buried in the desert, the archaeologist has to do investigate. When she starts to dig (pun intended) into how a B-17 from WWII could be shot down over friendly skies.....the cover-up is massive. The sense of place is a highlight, with you feel the sweltering heat, sweating off the pounds and getting really thirsty. A pretty good debut.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was really just all right. I wanted to finish the book to find out what the big secret was, and it was an unlikely secret indeed! The main characters were fairly well developed, with retrospectives to a very unhappy and unlikely childhood...in fact, I wonder why Nick revered her father...he was a total creep! The plot turned and twisted, with good guys becoming bad guys and crazy old widows with strange fantasies. I'm glad I read it, but I'm done with this author!

[Chb4usc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent adventure-mystery with a "Indiana Jones" type heroine. First in series.

[Jek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it! A bit oddly paced at some times and glosses over a few things but the spirit of archeology and desert were there

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little over the top but entertaining. Will read more!

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Nicolette Scott, archaeologist
SETTING: New Mexico
SERIES: #1 of 5
RATING: 3.5
WHY: Nicolette Scott is an archaeologist who is helping her father in a project in New Mexico involving his special, the Anasazi. A local discovers a downed plane buried in his property. It turns out to be a B-17 from WWII which is of special interest to her since she specializes in historical aircraft. It turns out that there's an elaborate cover-up, and several people are killed to stop the secret from being revealed. The book moved along well, but it seemed odd that so many murders could take place without attracting attention. I was disappointed in the conclusion--the book just ended abruptly without resolving several threads.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and exciting but preposterous premise with cartoonish villains. Nicky finds WW2 B-17 bomber buried in N. Mexico desert with bodies still inside. Arch villain who was part of the team developing the atom bomb joined plot to prevent peaceful end to WW 2. A Japanese diplomat was on the bomber going to Washington DC to negotiate, but plane was shot down. Suspenseful ending as Nicky outwits the mercenaries hired by the villain; she leads them into the desert with no water but she finds a hidden well and kills the bad guys using her wilderness skills. Best of the series.