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The Two Hearted: A Native American Historical Mystery Series
From New York Times bestselling authors W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O’Neal Gear comes part four in their compelling mystery series packed with ancient myth.Archeologist Dusty Stewart and Anthropologist Dr. Maureen Cole are still swept up in an eight-hundred-year-old murder mystery that’s been pleading with them to solve it—both literally and figuratively. With their only goal being to bring peace to all the victims left behind, they see no end in sight—until the unimaginable happens.Hearing faint voices of the dead whispering through the darkness of the gravesite and afraid they’re no longer alone, the dig team works faster, finally uncovering tribal stories that say the deceased are the work of an ancient witch of unimaginable power.Across time, a ruthless murderer desperate to restore his wealth and power begins taking villagers one by one. As Stone Ghost finds himself immersed in a bitterly divided and terrified community, the infamous Two Hearts becomes more legend than human, and the question How does anyone track a myth? But when the pieces of the puzzle start falling into place, it becomes clear that those who appear the bravest may actually possess unimaginable darkness.Will Dusty and Maureen finally solve this ancient crime and put innocent souls to rest before the past collides with the present?Venture into the depths of an unfamiliar past, where cryptic puzzles of history must be deciphered…or else surrender to the present’s relentless terrors.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2023
135 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
W. Michael Gear
184 books732 followersW. Michael Gear was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on the twentieth of May, 1955. A fourth generation Colorado native, his family had been involved in hard-rock mining, cattle ranching, and journalism. After his father's death in 1959, Michael's mother received her Master's degree in journalism and began teaching. In 1962 she married Joseph J. Cook, who taught tool and die making, and the family lived in Lakewood, Colorado, until 1968. At that time they moved to Fort Collins so that Joe could pursue his Ph.D.. During those years the family lived in the foothills above Horsetooth Reservoir.
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
It was there that Mike developed a love of history, anthropology, and motorcycles. They would color his future and fill his imagination for the rest of his life. During summers he volunteered labor on local ranches or at the farm east of Greeley and landed his first real job: picking up trash at the lake and cleaning outhouses. It has been said that his exposure to trash led him into archaeology. We will not speculate about what cleaning the outhouses might have led him to. On his first dig as a professional archaeologist in 1976 he discovered that two thousand year old human trash isn't nearly as obnoxious as the new stuff.
Michael graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1972 and pursued both his Bachelor's (1976) and Master's (1979) degrees at Colorado State University. Upon completion of his Master's - his specialty was in physical anthropology - he went to work for Western Wyoming College in Rock Springs as a field archaeologist.
It was in the winter of 1978 that he wrote his first novel. Irritated by historical inaccuracies in Western fiction, he swore he could do better. He was "taking retirement in installments," archaeology being a seasonal career, in the cabin his great uncle Aubrey had built. One cold January night he read a Western novel about a trail drive in which steers (castrated males) had calves. The historical inaccuracies of the story bothered him all night. The next morning, still incensed, he chunked wood into the stove and hunkered over the typewriter. There, on the mining claim, at nine thousand feet outside of Empire, Colorado he hammered out his first five hundred and fifty page novel. Yes, that first manuscript still exists, but if there is justice in the universe, no one will ever see it. It reads wretchedly - but the historical facts are correct!
Beginning in 1981, Michael, along with two partners, put together his own archaeological consulting company. Pronghorn Anthropological Associates began doing cultural resource management studies in 1982, and, although Michael sold his interest in 1984, to this day the company remains in business in Casper, Wyoming. During the years, Michael has worked throughout the western United States doing archaeological surveys, testing, and mitigation for pipelines, oil wells, power lines, timber sales, and highway construction. He learned the value of strong black coffee, developed a palate for chocolate donuts, and ferreted out every quality Mexican restaurant in eight states. He spent nine months of the year traveling from project to project with his trowel and dig kit, a clapped-out '72 Wonder Blazer, and his boon companion, Tedi, a noble tri-color Sheltie.
That fateful day in November, 1981, was delightfully clear, cold, and still in Laramie, Wyoming. Archaeologists from all over the state had arrived at the University of Wyoming for the annual meetings of the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists. It was there, in the meeting room, way too early after a much too long night, that Mike first laid eyes on the most beautiful woman in the world: Kathleen O'Neal Gear. The BLM State Archaeologist, Ray Leicht, introduced him to the pretty anthropologist and historian, and best of all, Ray invited Mike to lunch with Kathleen. It was the perfect beginning for a long and wondrous relationship.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/wmicha...
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 19, 2023
The Two Hearted: A Native American Historical Mystery Series (The Anasazi Mysteries Book 4)
by W. Michael Gear, Kathleen O'Neal Gear
Publisher : Wolfpack Publishing (November 21, 2023)
Publication date : November 21, 2023
ASIN : B0CL1BVS23
ISBN 9781639773947 (ISBN10: 1639773940)
The second half of the Summoning God book, and the fourth edition in the WolfPack Republishing of the series.
As a reader you step into the middle of the mystery in the prior books, this book brings many of the pieces into focus.
In the prehistoric storyline the tragic lives of the people at war, on the brink of an apocalypse caused by political infighting and drought. The personal revelations of the inter connections of the generations and people is startling. Fans of the series will get a kick with connections to some of the greatest characters in the First North American series revealed. My excitement was enhanced by the mention of some of my favorite characters. This book weaves the tapestry of the prehistoric fictional world the Gears have created in their 29 book series. The connection of the twins mythos, and the book reveal much of the known history of the southwest.
In the modern storyline, Dusty and Maureen are again placed together. Many of the cultural icons from Kopopelli to Kachina are discussed. Archeological practices, and methods are laid bare and described so the reader understands the scope and precision of the process. Cultural beliefs are elaborated on, many things about clans, and matrilineal societies are explained.
by W. Michael Gear, Kathleen O'Neal Gear
Publisher : Wolfpack Publishing (November 21, 2023)
Publication date : November 21, 2023
ASIN : B0CL1BVS23
ISBN 9781639773947 (ISBN10: 1639773940)
The second half of the Summoning God book, and the fourth edition in the WolfPack Republishing of the series.
As a reader you step into the middle of the mystery in the prior books, this book brings many of the pieces into focus.
In the prehistoric storyline the tragic lives of the people at war, on the brink of an apocalypse caused by political infighting and drought. The personal revelations of the inter connections of the generations and people is startling. Fans of the series will get a kick with connections to some of the greatest characters in the First North American series revealed. My excitement was enhanced by the mention of some of my favorite characters. This book weaves the tapestry of the prehistoric fictional world the Gears have created in their 29 book series. The connection of the twins mythos, and the book reveal much of the known history of the southwest.
In the modern storyline, Dusty and Maureen are again placed together. Many of the cultural icons from Kopopelli to Kachina are discussed. Archeological practices, and methods are laid bare and described so the reader understands the scope and precision of the process. Cultural beliefs are elaborated on, many things about clans, and matrilineal societies are explained.
January 25, 2024
This is a good addition to the Anasazi Mystery series. This is the 4th in a series of 6 books. Current day archeologists are excavating a site in the American Southwest. They uncover a mass grave that is centuries old. The book also describes the Anasazi people whose remains have been found. I really enjoy how the authors take true archeological finds from the region and incorporate them into the narrative. Both the present day and the old-time Anasazi stories are interesting. The book is not a "stand alone" novel. One must read the previous book to be up to date and the ending of the current volume leaves one wanting more. There is not a lot of progress in the overall story in this volume. There are some interesting additions towards the end of the book. I am enjoying the series and will continue to read the subsequent volumes. I give the book a 4/5 because it seems like the authors have a contract for 6 books and they are moving the story along slowly so that they meet their quota. However, overall, good historical fiction of the American Southwest.
December 3, 2023
Brutal Storytelling
I’ve very much enjoyed the previous books by these authors’ collaborative and individual releases. This series takes such lengthy (4 books to date) dark and morbid unresolved twists and turns that I’m a quite a bit put off.
I can handle quite a lot of well placed violence, but when it comes to extreme and repetitive rape, torture, ritualistic murder, and post mortem mutilation, I can only handle so much. While I trust that the authors have written this story using historically accurate researched atrocities, I just am having a difficult time with it personally. I highly recommend the other books by these authors, but just want readers to be forewarned on this one.
I’ve very much enjoyed the previous books by these authors’ collaborative and individual releases. This series takes such lengthy (4 books to date) dark and morbid unresolved twists and turns that I’m a quite a bit put off.
I can handle quite a lot of well placed violence, but when it comes to extreme and repetitive rape, torture, ritualistic murder, and post mortem mutilation, I can only handle so much. While I trust that the authors have written this story using historically accurate researched atrocities, I just am having a difficult time with it personally. I highly recommend the other books by these authors, but just want readers to be forewarned on this one.
December 5, 2023
This series continues to teach and entertain. The juxtaposition of present time with the time of the Anasazi is absolutely chilling. A definite must-read series for anyone interested in the history of the southwest.
February 10, 2024
A tale of civilization gone but evil that lives on.....
Even as the truth struggles to emerge and have the light of truth shown upon it, the evil continues to grow and spread. This series highlights the history of past and present and the horror that continue to repeat....
Even as the truth struggles to emerge and have the light of truth shown upon it, the evil continues to grow and spread. This series highlights the history of past and present and the horror that continue to repeat....
November 24, 2023
Intriguing
As always well done with a passion. In a time when the dedicated reader is searching for a story with soul the Gears never fail you. That is their benchmark.
As always well done with a passion. In a time when the dedicated reader is searching for a story with soul the Gears never fail you. That is their benchmark.
February 20, 2024
Fascinating
I enjoy how this series jumps back and forth through time. I am also enjoying learning about the Anasazi and their customs and culture.
I enjoy how this series jumps back and forth through time. I am also enjoying learning about the Anasazi and their customs and culture.
February 21, 2024
LOVE THIS BOOK
The history that could have been in the book is soul stirring. I have read all the prehistory native American books the Gears have written. Loved them all.
The history that could have been in the book is soul stirring. I have read all the prehistory native American books the Gears have written. Loved them all.
April 18, 2024
The two hearted: a native America mystery series ( book 4)
I suggest you read the series in order. It's a long trail to the end of a journey for these ancient people.
I suggest you read the series in order. It's a long trail to the end of a journey for these ancient people.
May 16, 2024
Amazing writing!
What a incredibly good book that gives you the shivers! I had read 80% and tried to go to bed, now it's 3am and I hope I can sleep without dreaming about this book!
What a incredibly good book that gives you the shivers! I had read 80% and tried to go to bed, now it's 3am and I hope I can sleep without dreaming about this book!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews