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The Mystery Tomb
Meet Samantha Beck and Rebecca Nisha—two women born twenty-five years and hundreds of miles apart, yet joined together by a shocking family ritual. When Samantha discovers the remains of an ancient tribe in Pennsylvania, she expects to at last prove her grandmother’s Native American ancestry and to make a name for herself as a budding archaeologist. She does not expect to make an enemy and a lover of a fellow descendant—son of Rebecca Nisha—who unwittingly wears a necklace made of his dead mother’s bones.
As the novel unfolds, alternating between Samantha’s story and Rebecca’s twenty-five years before, Samantha becomes more and more determined to discover the devastating mystery that estranged Rebecca’s wealthy Pennsylvania Dutch father from her half-Native American son. Samantha gradually uncovers a troubling secret and decides to risk everything—love and career—to restore harmony to Rebecca’s family.
As the novel unfolds, alternating between Samantha’s story and Rebecca’s twenty-five years before, Samantha becomes more and more determined to discover the devastating mystery that estranged Rebecca’s wealthy Pennsylvania Dutch father from her half-Native American son. Samantha gradually uncovers a troubling secret and decides to risk everything—love and career—to restore harmony to Rebecca’s family.
- GenresMysteryCollectionsEbooks
356 pages, Paperback
First published January 30, 2014
11 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
About the author
Eva Pohler
113 books1,741 followersEva Pohler is a USA Today bestselling author of over forty novels in multiple genres, including mysteries, thrillers, and young adult paranormal romance based. Her books have been described as "addictive" and "sure to thrill"--Kirkus Reviews.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 27, 2014
The Mystery Tomb by Eva Pohler is hard to define in a specific category. It has suspense and mystery, it is a contemporary story with glimpses back to the past, it has romance and conflict, and it is absolutely intriguing.
The story follows Samantha Beck, a young archeologist who is searching for a lost tribe of Indian ancestors. She finds evidence of a lost tribe of Leni-Lenape in Pennsylvania. The story has many twists and turns as Samantha tries convince Tukihela, the local descendant of the tribe, to reveal the tribe's secrets to the world. There are some surprising discoveries made about the customs of the tribe and also about Tukihela's immediate family.
I really enjoyed this story and I was captivated by it. The story was well-researched and well-written. I live in Pennsylvania and many of the areas in PA and NJ that were mentioned in the book were familiar to me and they were all described accurately. As a history buff, and a history major in college, I really enjoyed the historical aspects of the story.
I definitely would recommend this book to other.
The story follows Samantha Beck, a young archeologist who is searching for a lost tribe of Indian ancestors. She finds evidence of a lost tribe of Leni-Lenape in Pennsylvania. The story has many twists and turns as Samantha tries convince Tukihela, the local descendant of the tribe, to reveal the tribe's secrets to the world. There are some surprising discoveries made about the customs of the tribe and also about Tukihela's immediate family.
I really enjoyed this story and I was captivated by it. The story was well-researched and well-written. I live in Pennsylvania and many of the areas in PA and NJ that were mentioned in the book were familiar to me and they were all described accurately. As a history buff, and a history major in college, I really enjoyed the historical aspects of the story.
I definitely would recommend this book to other.
June 12, 2015
Eva Pohler is back with her usual eloquently written, approachable writing style in this tale that melds romance, mystery, and history together into an unforgettable whole. She takes some of the darker, less common ritualistic aspects of certain societies and brings them to the forefront in a captivating and inescapable manner. The history wound through this story is absolutely breathtaking. The past and the present come together seamlessly in this novel to create a work of sheer genius. Pohler’s intricate storytelling is highlighted by her very visual descriptions, allowing you to enter this world completely.
The characters in this novel really help to drive the point home through their actions and reactions. The main characters are very well developed as individuals. It was nice to see two such individuals who would stick to their beliefs and could put said beliefs into words. The supporting cast is also quite unique. I appreciated the fact that each character had a definite purpose in the story and that purpose was integral in some way to the forward motion of the tale.
Overall this was a hauntingly poignant tale that will stick with me in the long run. I can’t wait to read the next novel in the series and would definitely recommend this to others.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The characters in this novel really help to drive the point home through their actions and reactions. The main characters are very well developed as individuals. It was nice to see two such individuals who would stick to their beliefs and could put said beliefs into words. The supporting cast is also quite unique. I appreciated the fact that each character had a definite purpose in the story and that purpose was integral in some way to the forward motion of the tale.
Overall this was a hauntingly poignant tale that will stick with me in the long run. I can’t wait to read the next novel in the series and would definitely recommend this to others.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 3, 2014
Once again Eva Pohler has written a story that kept me up late reading because I physically couldn't put it down! I really don't read mysteries in general but I believe The Mystery Tomb can't be classified just as mystery. It had romance with conflict, historical aspects, and a touch of paranormal along with mythical references on top of the mystery. I loved it!
We meet Samantha Beck, a younger archaeologist, searching for her lost Indian ancestors. She finds the evidence of her ancestors, the tribe of Leni-Lenape in Pennsylvania. After Sam and the team uncover their findings, she meets the local descendant Tukihela, who wants nothing to do with her. Samantha tries to get Tukihela to let her give a voice to the tribe, but he refuses. As the story unfolds, we meet Rebecca Nisha, mother of Tukihela, and hear her story 25 years before, along with tribe secrets.
Eva does a remarkable job of alternating and weaving the two stories together effortlessly. The Mystery Tomb has many twists and turns that will make it impossible to put down! I truly loved this book and would recommend it to everyone!
We meet Samantha Beck, a younger archaeologist, searching for her lost Indian ancestors. She finds the evidence of her ancestors, the tribe of Leni-Lenape in Pennsylvania. After Sam and the team uncover their findings, she meets the local descendant Tukihela, who wants nothing to do with her. Samantha tries to get Tukihela to let her give a voice to the tribe, but he refuses. As the story unfolds, we meet Rebecca Nisha, mother of Tukihela, and hear her story 25 years before, along with tribe secrets.
Eva does a remarkable job of alternating and weaving the two stories together effortlessly. The Mystery Tomb has many twists and turns that will make it impossible to put down! I truly loved this book and would recommend it to everyone!
March 8, 2014
I have become a fan of Eva's novels. This is my favorite so far! Samatha's character is so easy to like, and from the beginning I connected with her. I was cheering for her and Tuki the whole book. I love how she blended in the backstory. This book is very well written and I loved every minute of it.
April 25, 2017
The Mystery Tomb offers plenty of mystery and lots of fascinating research, well-placed in a well-paced blend of Native American tradition, Catholic faith, and different types of inheritance. How does a family reclaim its Native American ancestry? How does a son honor his dead mother? How does one culture judge another culture’s respect for history, nature and ancestors?
The myth of Misink blends nicely with the culture of Bigfoot, as does the innocence of Santa with the risks of archeology—risks that go far beyond the danger of cave-ins, and threaten caved-in relationships and shattered traditions. But Eva Pohler’s characters prove well able to look beyond the obvious, and a pleasing welcome awaits the reader, with beautiful scenery, haunting ritual, and a cool exploration of the meaning of family, heritage and forgiveness. A book to enjoy with open mind and heart.
Disclosure: I won an ecopy and I offer my honest review.
The myth of Misink blends nicely with the culture of Bigfoot, as does the innocence of Santa with the risks of archeology—risks that go far beyond the danger of cave-ins, and threaten caved-in relationships and shattered traditions. But Eva Pohler’s characters prove well able to look beyond the obvious, and a pleasing welcome awaits the reader, with beautiful scenery, haunting ritual, and a cool exploration of the meaning of family, heritage and forgiveness. A book to enjoy with open mind and heart.
Disclosure: I won an ecopy and I offer my honest review.
August 22, 2018
5 stars for history lessons and character development but only 2 stars for lack of intrigue and mystery. It’s a well written story but lacking in the mystery part as the name suggests. Not as enthralling as her “mystery box” story.
May 11, 2014
A Great Adventure!!!
I absolutely loved this book!!! First of all, I have always been fascinated by archaeology/anthropology, and this book is a great adventure in respect to those fields. The romance in this book if frustrating at times, but ultimately fulfilling, and Tuki is kind of a babe to put it bluntly. Ultimately though, I feel like the most important aspect of this book is that it teaches not to be judgmental of other peoples and cultures, especially when you don't have all the facts. I loved this book from beginning to end, and my only complaint is that it ended at all. A MUST READ FOR ALL!!!
I absolutely loved this book!!! First of all, I have always been fascinated by archaeology/anthropology, and this book is a great adventure in respect to those fields. The romance in this book if frustrating at times, but ultimately fulfilling, and Tuki is kind of a babe to put it bluntly. Ultimately though, I feel like the most important aspect of this book is that it teaches not to be judgmental of other peoples and cultures, especially when you don't have all the facts. I loved this book from beginning to end, and my only complaint is that it ended at all. A MUST READ FOR ALL!!!
July 31, 2014
I enjoyed this second installment of the mystery box series. This one was not as engaging as the first but still good. Enjoyed the Native American aspect of story. Not certain about cannibal stuff. Kind of icky.
May 9, 2014
Pretty intriguing story line the author is great
June 5, 2015
Loved the book!!! Wasn't sure how it was going to end but Im happy the way it did. Different storyline from her other books.
October 26, 2021
This was so different from the author’s Underworld saga. But so so good! I’ve only seen a few other authors who can pull off writing so well in different genres. And this one certainly can! It was suspense and romantic at the same time. There aren’t any cliffhangers but I was so hoping Samantha’s “seizure spells” were more than what was told. But that was only a small part to it and there’s so much that has you guessing all through the book. I was leery of the people no matter how good they seemed. After all, it was a hostile tension in the back of everyone’s mind against each other, Native American and whites. What secrets lay in wait, buried in the tombs for so many years? And are they all buried or do they live within some people who were around in the day? Something caused so many of the women to die during childbirth in the Native American clan. Or was it just an ancient traditions that involved cannibalism? Brandon is sure he lost his daughter that way. Yet there is his grown grandson he raised that is a part of both worlds. He will find out the answers to what his grandpa won’t talk about. And Samantha will find her dream in the archeology world. But will the two of them hate each other in the end or love? So much is going on and I loved it all.
If you like audiobooks, this is fabulous! I love this narrator. Her voice is so soothing and she puts so much life and feeling behind it. It’s like you are living in the world as you listen.
If you like audiobooks, this is fabulous! I love this narrator. Her voice is so soothing and she puts so much life and feeling behind it. It’s like you are living in the world as you listen.
October 15, 2019
I was hooked from the very beginning. It was so hard to put this book down. I listened to the audiobook and I loved it. This story is so much more than just mystery. It has hints of historical, romance, and paranormal. I absolutely loved it!!
The story follows Samantha who is an archeologist while she searches for her ancestors. She runs into Tukihela who at the beginning doesn’t support her research. To avoid giving away spoilers, just know that you will love this book and I highly recommend it. I listened to the audiobook which I also recommend. I enjoyed it and it was nice to hear the narrator do the chanting etc as well.
The story follows Samantha who is an archeologist while she searches for her ancestors. She runs into Tukihela who at the beginning doesn’t support her research. To avoid giving away spoilers, just know that you will love this book and I highly recommend it. I listened to the audiobook which I also recommend. I enjoyed it and it was nice to hear the narrator do the chanting etc as well.
August 4, 2021
This story is a well written, entertaining mystery story that has small splash of supernatural, some native American folklore and a nice bit of romance too. Samantha is an archeologist who is searching for the remains of a native American tribe in Pennsylvania in order to prove her grandmother’s ancestral roots, but she meets unexpected resistance to the research from a descendant of the tribe. I really enjoyed this story, it has some great characters, intrigue, suspense and mysticism. I also enjoyed the narration and thought the narrator kept a good pace and did a great job of giving the characters individual voices. Overall it is an enjoyable, engaging story.
April 20, 2023
Audiobook format:
Extremely disappointed. I was excited to delve into a story of Native Americans.
At 20% into the book: I hate abandoning a book; however, I can’t continue. I believe the storyline could have been worth the read. Unfortunately, it was too juvenile in its presentation. I would expect this level from a student in a creative course. The characters were too one dimensional. The plot wasn’t finding connections without forced repetition or lack there of by the characters. In all fairness, my observations may have been influenced by the tone, inflections, & lack of diversity of the narrator’s voice.
Extremely disappointed. I was excited to delve into a story of Native Americans.
At 20% into the book: I hate abandoning a book; however, I can’t continue. I believe the storyline could have been worth the read. Unfortunately, it was too juvenile in its presentation. I would expect this level from a student in a creative course. The characters were too one dimensional. The plot wasn’t finding connections without forced repetition or lack there of by the characters. In all fairness, my observations may have been influenced by the tone, inflections, & lack of diversity of the narrator’s voice.
March 25, 2019
I debated between 1 and 2 stars for this book. It was pretty awful. The story was boring and didn't always make a lot of sense. And you can't go from calling a character "Dad" to "Luther" without telling me that the dad's name is Luther. Pohler pulled that several times and it really threw me, trying to figure out when another character had suddenly popped into the scene. Eventually, I'd decide, "Oh...I guess that's her dad..." or her mom, or her grandmother. Seriously, it happened WAY too many times.
January 30, 2021
The Mystery Tomb: The Mystery Book Collection was a good read by Eva Pohler. Samantha Beck and Rebecca Nisha are two women born twenty five years and a hundred miles apart. But they are joined together by a shocking family ritual. Samantha discovers the remains of an ancient tribe in Pennsylvania. She wants to prove her grandmother's Native American ancestry. She never expected to make an enemy and lover of a fellow descendant, and the son of Rebecca Nisha. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more by the author.
March 23, 2017
This is a great mystery by Eva Pohler. When you read this you can tell she spent a lot of time doing research! I loved the history we are given about the characters and the tribe. Eva gives her stories very realistic characters with very realistic emotions and actions, and this was no exception. There were a few surprises along the way. I read this book in about a 24 hour period and enjoyed following through the portion of Samantha and Rebecca's lives that were shared with us.
August 28, 2018
I still can't believe Eva Pohler has written such a boring story. I kept hoping something worthwhile will happen and kept reading. But nothing. Such a disappointment.
August 15, 2021
Definitely not what I expected.... The premise was good, but I kept waiting for the "umph" to kick in.
February 27, 2023
What a wonderful well written book the third in the mystery series. The book is full of native American knowledge , love and mystery .
September 7, 2021
Storytelling at its finest...
It is so enjoyable to find a book that is beautifully written, well-researched, and positively captivating. The Mystery Tomb is all of the above. The story is told from the points of view of two female characters: Samantha Beck, an archeology grad student and Rebecca Nisha, a young lady of privilege whose tragic death occurred before Samantha was even born. The author alternated between these two main characters and wove an intriguing tale of suspense that deftly incorporated some truly fascinating Native American folklore. The audiobook of this story has the perfect narrator. She reads the story at a good pace and gave each character a distinct voice.
This is a tale of mystery and intrigue with excellent world-building, wonderful authentic characters, a bit of mysticism, and a bit of romance. While not a high-octane adventure story, there is plenty of suspense to keep you turning the pages (or keep you listening) all the way to the satisfying “happily ever after” ending. There is no foul or off-putting language, no explicit sex scenes, and no graphic violence but there is a great story that you won’t soon forget.
It is so enjoyable to find a book that is beautifully written, well-researched, and positively captivating. The Mystery Tomb is all of the above. The story is told from the points of view of two female characters: Samantha Beck, an archeology grad student and Rebecca Nisha, a young lady of privilege whose tragic death occurred before Samantha was even born. The author alternated between these two main characters and wove an intriguing tale of suspense that deftly incorporated some truly fascinating Native American folklore. The audiobook of this story has the perfect narrator. She reads the story at a good pace and gave each character a distinct voice.
This is a tale of mystery and intrigue with excellent world-building, wonderful authentic characters, a bit of mysticism, and a bit of romance. While not a high-octane adventure story, there is plenty of suspense to keep you turning the pages (or keep you listening) all the way to the satisfying “happily ever after” ending. There is no foul or off-putting language, no explicit sex scenes, and no graphic violence but there is a great story that you won’t soon forget.
July 14, 2017
really enjoyed this book. I like a good mystery now and then. I really enjoyed learning more about the main Native American tribe in this book. The author did a lot of research on them. I like learning about different Native American tribes, since I have some Native American in me. This author has other mysteries that I would like to read,
March 8, 2016
Wouldn't recommend.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews