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Faye Longchamp #10
Burials
A woman waits under five feet of dirt--a woman who is by now nothing but bones stained the deep red of Oklahoma clay. A delicate silver necklace, a handful of ancient pearls, and a priceless figurine rest with her. Twenty-nine years is a long time to wait for a proper burial.
Faye Longchamp-Mantooth, who runs a small and shakily financed archaeological consulting firm with her husband, Joe, has come to Sylacauga so she and Joe can join his father, Sly Mantooth, in dispersing his mother's ashes. Fifteen years is a long time to wait for a proper ceremony.
Faye has partially financed the trip by hiring on to consult on the reopening of a site closed down 29 years ago when archaeologist Dr. Sophia Townsend disappeared--for good. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation intends to create a park if nothing sacred lies in the soil. What no one expects is the lonely red bones that emerge as the backhoe completes its work. Inevitably they prove to be those of Sophia Townsend. And examination shows Sophia was first killed by a blow to the head.
Chief Roy Cloud of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Lighthorse Tribal Police hires Faye, who clearly can't be a suspect, to consult. Which is fine with Faye, who won't rest easy until Sophia's murder is solved. But the investigation comes uncomfortably close to home when she learns that her father-in-law knows more about the dead woman than he is willing to admit. So, it appears, does everyone in tiny Sylacauga.
Dr. Sophia Townsend had possessed a sexual magnetism as forceful as an Oklahoma tornado, and she had never hesitated to use it to manipulate everyone around her, people whose hearts she broke and whose marriages she destroyed. Was she killed by one of her lovers, or by one of their wives? Or by the woman who became enthralled with her? Or maybe Sly Mantooth? Or was something else elemental--greed, buried treasure, fame--at work?
Faye's obsession with this case tests her professional ethics and it tests her marriage. Such was the power of Sophia Townsend that, twenty-nine years after her murder, she wreaks havoc (along with the weather) once again.
2018 - Oklahoma Book Award Finalist, Fiction
2018 - Will Rogers Bronze Medallion Award Winner, Western Fiction
Top 12 Mystery Novels of 2017 by Strand Magazine
Faye Longchamp-Mantooth, who runs a small and shakily financed archaeological consulting firm with her husband, Joe, has come to Sylacauga so she and Joe can join his father, Sly Mantooth, in dispersing his mother's ashes. Fifteen years is a long time to wait for a proper ceremony.
Faye has partially financed the trip by hiring on to consult on the reopening of a site closed down 29 years ago when archaeologist Dr. Sophia Townsend disappeared--for good. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation intends to create a park if nothing sacred lies in the soil. What no one expects is the lonely red bones that emerge as the backhoe completes its work. Inevitably they prove to be those of Sophia Townsend. And examination shows Sophia was first killed by a blow to the head.
Chief Roy Cloud of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Lighthorse Tribal Police hires Faye, who clearly can't be a suspect, to consult. Which is fine with Faye, who won't rest easy until Sophia's murder is solved. But the investigation comes uncomfortably close to home when she learns that her father-in-law knows more about the dead woman than he is willing to admit. So, it appears, does everyone in tiny Sylacauga.
Dr. Sophia Townsend had possessed a sexual magnetism as forceful as an Oklahoma tornado, and she had never hesitated to use it to manipulate everyone around her, people whose hearts she broke and whose marriages she destroyed. Was she killed by one of her lovers, or by one of their wives? Or by the woman who became enthralled with her? Or maybe Sly Mantooth? Or was something else elemental--greed, buried treasure, fame--at work?
Faye's obsession with this case tests her professional ethics and it tests her marriage. Such was the power of Sophia Townsend that, twenty-nine years after her murder, she wreaks havoc (along with the weather) once again.
2018 - Oklahoma Book Award Finalist, Fiction
2018 - Will Rogers Bronze Medallion Award Winner, Western Fiction
Top 12 Mystery Novels of 2017 by Strand Magazine
302 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2017
72 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Mary Anna Evans
36 books457 followersMary Anna Evans is an award-winning author, a writing professor, and she holds degrees in physics and engineering, a background that, as it turns out, is ideal for writing her new book, The Physicists' Daughter. Set in WWII-era New Orleans, The Physicists' Daughter introduces Justine Byrne, whom Mary Anna describes as "a little bit Rosie-the-Riveter and a little bit Bletchley Park codebreaker."
When Justine, the daughter of two physicists who taught her things girls weren't expected to know in 1944, realizes that her boss isn't telling her the truth about the work she does in her factory job, she draws on the legacy of her unconventional upbringing to keep her division running and protect her coworkers, her country, and herself from a war that is suddenly very close to home.
Her crime fiction has earned recognition that includes the Oklahoma Book Award, the Will Rogers Medallion Awards Gold Medal, the Mississippi Author Award, a spot on Voice of Young America’s (VOYA) list of “Adult Mysteries with Young Adult Appeal,” a writer’s residency from The Studios of Key West, the Benjamin Franklin Award, the Florida Historical Society’s Patrick D. Smith Florida Literature Award, and three Florida Book Awards bronze medals.
In addition to writing crime fiction, she writes about crime fiction, as evidenced by the upcoming Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie, which she coedited with J.D Bernthal.
For the incurably curious, Mary Anna’s first published work, her master’s thesis, was entitled A Modeling Study of the NH3-NO-O2 Reaction Under the Operating Conditions of a Fluidized Bed Combustor. Like her mysteries, it was a factually based page-turner but, no, it’s not available online.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryAnnaEvan...
Twitter: @maryannaevans
Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/maryannaevans/
BookBub: @maryannaevans
When Justine, the daughter of two physicists who taught her things girls weren't expected to know in 1944, realizes that her boss isn't telling her the truth about the work she does in her factory job, she draws on the legacy of her unconventional upbringing to keep her division running and protect her coworkers, her country, and herself from a war that is suddenly very close to home.
Her crime fiction has earned recognition that includes the Oklahoma Book Award, the Will Rogers Medallion Awards Gold Medal, the Mississippi Author Award, a spot on Voice of Young America’s (VOYA) list of “Adult Mysteries with Young Adult Appeal,” a writer’s residency from The Studios of Key West, the Benjamin Franklin Award, the Florida Historical Society’s Patrick D. Smith Florida Literature Award, and three Florida Book Awards bronze medals.
In addition to writing crime fiction, she writes about crime fiction, as evidenced by the upcoming Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie, which she coedited with J.D Bernthal.
For the incurably curious, Mary Anna’s first published work, her master’s thesis, was entitled A Modeling Study of the NH3-NO-O2 Reaction Under the Operating Conditions of a Fluidized Bed Combustor. Like her mysteries, it was a factually based page-turner but, no, it’s not available online.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryAnnaEvan...
Twitter: @maryannaevans
Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/maryannaevans/
BookBub: @maryannaevans
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 12, 2017
This is an excellent continuation of a really good series that combines a few things I enjoy: an intelligent, interesting female protagonist; mysteries that keep me involved; archaeology as an ever-present plot element; many other characters I am interested in learning more about. On top of that, in this episode, there is incidental information about the Creek Nation and their history, an area that is always of interest to me.
Faye and her husband Joe are in Oklahoma, he to visit his father, she for a small job assisting a local archaeologist who is reopening a dig on Indian land. Of course, nothing goes quite as planned. Someone seems intent on interfering with any work on this long-closed dig. Along with Faye, readers learn about the tribes who were relocated to Oklahoma in the 19th c. as well as much earlier civilizations. I do love these archaeological and historical details. The crimes/mystery also kept my attention as I waited to see how everything would play out. I am very much looking forward to the next chapter in the Faye Longchamp story.
I recommend this book and this series to mystery readers. So that you will know the characters and relationships, it might be good to read an early book along the way, though this book's plot definitely can stand on its own.
Addendum: after thinking more about it, I've decided to raise the rating to 5*. I think this may be my favorite in the series.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Faye and her husband Joe are in Oklahoma, he to visit his father, she for a small job assisting a local archaeologist who is reopening a dig on Indian land. Of course, nothing goes quite as planned. Someone seems intent on interfering with any work on this long-closed dig. Along with Faye, readers learn about the tribes who were relocated to Oklahoma in the 19th c. as well as much earlier civilizations. I do love these archaeological and historical details. The crimes/mystery also kept my attention as I waited to see how everything would play out. I am very much looking forward to the next chapter in the Faye Longchamp story.
I recommend this book and this series to mystery readers. So that you will know the characters and relationships, it might be good to read an early book along the way, though this book's plot definitely can stand on its own.
Addendum: after thinking more about it, I've decided to raise the rating to 5*. I think this may be my favorite in the series.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review.
August 24, 2020
Faye-Longchamp-Mantooth is an archeologist. She has a small archeology consulting company with her husband, Joe Mantooth.
Faye and Joe have come back to Joe's birthplace in Oklahoma to attend a funeral for Joe's mother and spread her ashes.
While there, Faye has work consulting on an archeological dig that was shut down 29 years ago when the main archeologist disappeared. The dig has just been re-opened and problems arise immediately.
Three of the original crew on the first dig are there helping on the newly re-opened site.
Faye is greeted with gunshots on the first day. And the bones of the lost original archeologist are found buried in the site.
A bit dark and gritty. There are several suspects who could have done it and it takes a lot of careful detective work from Faye and the local police to figure it out.
Greed, ancient artifacts and a lot of entangled relationships to sort out.
Faye and Joe have come back to Joe's birthplace in Oklahoma to attend a funeral for Joe's mother and spread her ashes.
While there, Faye has work consulting on an archeological dig that was shut down 29 years ago when the main archeologist disappeared. The dig has just been re-opened and problems arise immediately.
Three of the original crew on the first dig are there helping on the newly re-opened site.
Faye is greeted with gunshots on the first day. And the bones of the lost original archeologist are found buried in the site.
A bit dark and gritty. There are several suspects who could have done it and it takes a lot of careful detective work from Faye and the local police to figure it out.
Greed, ancient artifacts and a lot of entangled relationships to sort out.
February 27, 2017
I enjoyed this story. I give it a guarded recommendation. Earlier books in series are better.
March 16, 2017
Burials (Faye Longchamp #10)
by Mary Anna Evans
Kindle Edition
There is something magical about an author that can make even the villains of a piece likeable. Mary Anna Evans fills her stories with real-life characters, every day situations, and ties them all up in a big bow of rich research and heartfelt emotions.
In this episode, Faye and Joe go to Oklahoma to visit Joe's father Sly and for Faye to work at an archeological dig on the Muskogee (Creek) tribal lands. The archeologist in charge of the dig, Carson Callahan, a childhood friend of Joe's. He is anxious to re-open the dig that his father, Mickey, worked on back in 1987. Mickey and his best friend, Kenny, and a local woman, Emily, both of whom also worked the 1987 dig, will work this one also. The archeologist in charge at that time, Sophia Townsend, had suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. The site had been closed and in the almost 3 decades later, she had never been heard from again. When Faye and Joe join Carson on the dig site, they are suddenly shot at by an unseen sniper somewhere in the nearby woods. That necessitates a call to the local Sheriff, Roy Cloud, who arrives with his deputy, Kira, and the players are, for the most part, assembled.
When the dig finally is reopened, they discover some archeological treasures all right -- a broken potsherd, a Mississippian statuette and some clay-reddened pearls. Unfortunately, they are buried with what turns out to be the body of the long lost archeologist, Sophia Townsend.
From there the plot really takes off. What happened to Sophia Townsend? Who is responsible for her death? How many more will die before Faye and Roy Cloud figure things out? Add Federal Agent Bigbee, Mickey's ex-wife, Alba, and Joe's father to the puzzle and you have a dandy mystery that will keep you guessing until the final climatic scene.
Evans' writing is so evocative, so descriptive, that it is pure joy reading these books. Her language is simple and true to her characters' lives. One example I noted was found at 2455: When Emily started to weep, Faye saw them pull their heads back in like two turtles confronted with a curious dog.
The plotting and flow of the novel are impeccable. Editing is top-notch, although I did find one obvious proofing error at 3997: "Do these logs this fix things, Faye? ..."
But other than that, this novel was perfection. If you have never read a Faye Longchamp mystery, I advise you to start with the first one, "Artifacts." You won't regret going on this wonderful journey.
by Mary Anna Evans
Kindle Edition
There is something magical about an author that can make even the villains of a piece likeable. Mary Anna Evans fills her stories with real-life characters, every day situations, and ties them all up in a big bow of rich research and heartfelt emotions.
In this episode, Faye and Joe go to Oklahoma to visit Joe's father Sly and for Faye to work at an archeological dig on the Muskogee (Creek) tribal lands. The archeologist in charge of the dig, Carson Callahan, a childhood friend of Joe's. He is anxious to re-open the dig that his father, Mickey, worked on back in 1987. Mickey and his best friend, Kenny, and a local woman, Emily, both of whom also worked the 1987 dig, will work this one also. The archeologist in charge at that time, Sophia Townsend, had suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. The site had been closed and in the almost 3 decades later, she had never been heard from again. When Faye and Joe join Carson on the dig site, they are suddenly shot at by an unseen sniper somewhere in the nearby woods. That necessitates a call to the local Sheriff, Roy Cloud, who arrives with his deputy, Kira, and the players are, for the most part, assembled.
When the dig finally is reopened, they discover some archeological treasures all right -- a broken potsherd, a Mississippian statuette and some clay-reddened pearls. Unfortunately, they are buried with what turns out to be the body of the long lost archeologist, Sophia Townsend.
From there the plot really takes off. What happened to Sophia Townsend? Who is responsible for her death? How many more will die before Faye and Roy Cloud figure things out? Add Federal Agent Bigbee, Mickey's ex-wife, Alba, and Joe's father to the puzzle and you have a dandy mystery that will keep you guessing until the final climatic scene.
Evans' writing is so evocative, so descriptive, that it is pure joy reading these books. Her language is simple and true to her characters' lives. One example I noted was found at 2455: When Emily started to weep, Faye saw them pull their heads back in like two turtles confronted with a curious dog.
The plotting and flow of the novel are impeccable. Editing is top-notch, although I did find one obvious proofing error at 3997: "Do these logs this fix things, Faye? ..."
But other than that, this novel was perfection. If you have never read a Faye Longchamp mystery, I advise you to start with the first one, "Artifacts." You won't regret going on this wonderful journey.
March 5, 2017
4 and 1 / 2 stars
Dr. Faye Longchamp Mantooth, an archeologist and her husband Joe are flying from Florida to Sylacauga, Oklahoma where Joe is originally from to visit his father Sly and to scatter Joe’s mother’s ashes. She also picks up a gig assisting in an archeological dig. What they find are some rare artifacts and a body.
The body is that of Dr. Sophia Townsend. It was thought that she packed up and abandoned the dig some twenty-nine years earlier. She was murdered and left in the dig site when it was closed after her supposed abandonment of the site. She was an abrasive, no-holds-barred woman who held an alluring sexual hold over both the men and women who worked for her. Sly also knows more than he is saying.
Our story is interspersed with passages from Sophia Townsend’s field notes. Sophia used it as a journal as well commenting on her employees and other people with which she came into contact.
Faye teams up with the Sheriff Roy Cloud to investigate Sophia’s murder. The officer left to guard the site overnight is murdered and another officer is badly injured.
So begins two murder investigations. Are they related? Did the same person who murdered Dr. Townsend also murder the police officer and rob the site?
Sheriff Roy Cloud and Faye interview the three people who worked for Sophia in 1987 and other acquaintances and people who knew the victim. They get some conflicting stories and are left to ponder them.
This great book tells an in-depth story about the relationships: Joe and Faye’s relationship with Sly, Sophia’s relationships with her various lovers, Faye’s relationship with Sheriff Roy as well as others. We learn the backstories for most, if not all of the characters. This book is very well written and plotted. Ms. Evans is a brilliant author and her characters are likeable and believable.
This is my first Mary Anna Evans book, but it certainly won’t be my last. I really like this author.
I want to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.
Dr. Faye Longchamp Mantooth, an archeologist and her husband Joe are flying from Florida to Sylacauga, Oklahoma where Joe is originally from to visit his father Sly and to scatter Joe’s mother’s ashes. She also picks up a gig assisting in an archeological dig. What they find are some rare artifacts and a body.
The body is that of Dr. Sophia Townsend. It was thought that she packed up and abandoned the dig some twenty-nine years earlier. She was murdered and left in the dig site when it was closed after her supposed abandonment of the site. She was an abrasive, no-holds-barred woman who held an alluring sexual hold over both the men and women who worked for her. Sly also knows more than he is saying.
Our story is interspersed with passages from Sophia Townsend’s field notes. Sophia used it as a journal as well commenting on her employees and other people with which she came into contact.
Faye teams up with the Sheriff Roy Cloud to investigate Sophia’s murder. The officer left to guard the site overnight is murdered and another officer is badly injured.
So begins two murder investigations. Are they related? Did the same person who murdered Dr. Townsend also murder the police officer and rob the site?
Sheriff Roy Cloud and Faye interview the three people who worked for Sophia in 1987 and other acquaintances and people who knew the victim. They get some conflicting stories and are left to ponder them.
This great book tells an in-depth story about the relationships: Joe and Faye’s relationship with Sly, Sophia’s relationships with her various lovers, Faye’s relationship with Sheriff Roy as well as others. We learn the backstories for most, if not all of the characters. This book is very well written and plotted. Ms. Evans is a brilliant author and her characters are likeable and believable.
This is my first Mary Anna Evans book, but it certainly won’t be my last. I really like this author.
I want to thank Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read.
July 4, 2017
Many thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this ACR. I have read all in this excellent series and witnessed the development and growth of this remarkable character. This may be my favorite as Dr. Faye Longchamp-Mantooth goes all the way to Oklahoma to solve a murder almost three decades old. Wherever Faye goes, murder follows - great read and I love the archaeological information as well.
March 14, 2017
Nor'easter is plowing through Richmond and put most of us without power; and me with the last twenty pages of Burials on my dwindling batteried phone. Don't you know I'm using the last juice to finish the mind bending conclusion of this latest chapter of Joe and Faye's adventures. Says it all, doesn't it? If you are new to Evans' fab series, do yourself a favor and read all ten; I spent the last few weeks rereading all in anticipation of Burials, and it was a delicious winter project. Any writer who researches the heck out of a subject, place or time puts me in Reader Heaven, and Evans takes us through archaeological digs, found manuscripts, floods and dead body mysteries with a keen eye always for local lore, artifact preservation and power of nature to twist a plot sideways. Burials, just like her previous nine books in the Longchamp series, keeps five or six subplots brewing and steaming toward an ending that throws you back in your chair with a "Well, damn!" LOVE Dr. Faye Longchamp and Joe Wolf Mantooth. May their story never end.
February 25, 2017
This book peaked my interest as I am married to an environmental engineer who assisted in getting Native American artifacts returned to the rightful tribes. I'm also of Native American descent. So, "Burial" had quite a few hooks for me. And, I must say.. it totally delivered. I loved that the author doesn't make the mistake of advising how we feel about our own heritage. It was a good solid thriller! If anyone has an interest in archeology.. and how a "dig" is properly conducted.. then, Burial needs to be added to your TBR list! :) The characters were well defined and written. The flow is nice and steady. I was most impressed that the author was able to capture the bureaucratic bungling that occurs when no one is really in charge of investigations on tribal lands.
I would highly recommend this "not easily solved mystery" to anyone who loves a good whodunnit! You will NOT see the ending coming! :)
I would highly recommend this "not easily solved mystery" to anyone who loves a good whodunnit! You will NOT see the ending coming! :)
March 6, 2017
How long does a person's mysterious disappearance reverberate among those who knew her and those who thought they knew her. Then her body is found hidden in an archaeological site about to be reopened after she vanished so suddenly and Faye find herself drawn into a murder.
This is an exceptionally written story that kept me guessing right up to the ending and that's the way I like them. I love this series and if you haven't had the chance to try it, please do. You won't be disappointed.
Highly recommended!
This is an exceptionally written story that kept me guessing right up to the ending and that's the way I like them. I love this series and if you haven't had the chance to try it, please do. You won't be disappointed.
Highly recommended!
March 12, 2017
In this book, Faye Longchamp-Mantooth and her husband, Joe Mantooth have gone to Oklahoma to visit Joe's father, Sly Mantooth. While there Faye takes a consulting job on a dig on Muscogee(Creek) and discovers the remains of Dr. Sophia Townsend who disappeared 29 years ago. Faye is then hired by the police to help with the remains. Things being to get difficult as people seem to be lying about something.The book went more into the background of Joe. The book was a quick easy read.
March 16, 2017
4 1/2 Stars
I've read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed them all. The first book is still my favorite.
I've read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed them all. The first book is still my favorite.
March 29, 2017
A. fiction, mystery, archeology, Oklahoma, Mississippian culture, series, (Faye Longchamp, #10)
June 13, 2022
There are so many different series that I like to read in order of their writing, that I lose track and forget about some of them. Such is the case with this wonderful series by Mary Alice Evans about archaeologist Faye Longchamp. I just love this series and the different places that Faye travels to to help unearth buried treasure. This one deals with a Creek burial grounds in Oklahoma. It is an abandoned dig where the previous archaeologist, Sofia Townsend disappeared. Once again Faye works to solve the mystery and puts herself in harms way but comes out victorious. The audio by Cassandra Campbell is excellent, also. I hope not to wait so long before I read the next chapter.
August 31, 2022
This book brings Faye and Joe to Oklahoma, to visit Joe's dad in the town where he grew up. I thought the mystery was interesting, and I was glad we got to see more of Sly.
April 5, 2022
"A woman waits under five feet of dirt-a woman who is by now nothing but bones stained the deep red of Oklahoma clay. A delicate silver necklace, a handful of ancient pearls, and a priceless figurine rest with her. Twenty-nine years is a long time to wait for a proper burial.
"Faye Longchamp-Mantooth, who runs a small and shakily financed archaeological consulting firm with her husband, Joe, has come to Sylacauga so she and Joe can join his father, Sly Mantooth, in dispersing his mother's ashes. Fifteen years is a long time to wait for a proper ceremony.
"Faye has partially financed the trip by hiring on to consult on the reopening of a site closed down 29 years ago when archaeologist Dr. Sophia Townsend disappeared-for good. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation intends to create a park if nothing sacred lies in the soil. What no one expects is the lonely red bones that emerge as the backhoe completes its work. Inevitably they prove to be those of Sophia Townsend. And examination shows Sophia was first killed by a blow to the head.
"Chief Roy Cloud of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Lighthorse Tribal Police hires Faye, who clearly can't be a suspect, to consult. Which is fine with Faye, who won't rest easy until Sophia's murder is solved. But the investigation comes uncomfortably close to home when she learns that her father-in-law knows more about the dead woman than he is willing to admit. So, it appears, does everyone in tiny Sylacauga.
"Dr. Sophia Townsend had possessed a sexual magnetism as forceful as an Oklahoma tornado, and she had never hesitated to use it to manipulate everyone around her, people whose hearts she broke and whose marriages she destroyed. Was she killed by one of her lovers, or by one of their wives? Or by the woman who became enthralled with her? Or maybe Sly Mantooth? Or was something else elemental-greed, buried treasure, fame-at work?
"Faye's obsession with this case tests her professional ethics and it tests her marriage. Such was the power of Sophia Townsend that, twenty-nine years after her murder, she wreaks havoc (along with the weather) once again."
~~back cover
I could hardly put this book down! It was the most realistic view of field archaeology so far, and I loved it! There's always a side leitmotif in these books, on the workings of Joe & Faye's marriage, and this one was no exception: Faye's professional ethics pitted again the demands of her family. And as usual, a desperate, life threatening stand off at the end ... did everyone make it out alive? No spoilers here ... you'll have to read the book for yourself.
"Faye Longchamp-Mantooth, who runs a small and shakily financed archaeological consulting firm with her husband, Joe, has come to Sylacauga so she and Joe can join his father, Sly Mantooth, in dispersing his mother's ashes. Fifteen years is a long time to wait for a proper ceremony.
"Faye has partially financed the trip by hiring on to consult on the reopening of a site closed down 29 years ago when archaeologist Dr. Sophia Townsend disappeared-for good. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation intends to create a park if nothing sacred lies in the soil. What no one expects is the lonely red bones that emerge as the backhoe completes its work. Inevitably they prove to be those of Sophia Townsend. And examination shows Sophia was first killed by a blow to the head.
"Chief Roy Cloud of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation's Lighthorse Tribal Police hires Faye, who clearly can't be a suspect, to consult. Which is fine with Faye, who won't rest easy until Sophia's murder is solved. But the investigation comes uncomfortably close to home when she learns that her father-in-law knows more about the dead woman than he is willing to admit. So, it appears, does everyone in tiny Sylacauga.
"Dr. Sophia Townsend had possessed a sexual magnetism as forceful as an Oklahoma tornado, and she had never hesitated to use it to manipulate everyone around her, people whose hearts she broke and whose marriages she destroyed. Was she killed by one of her lovers, or by one of their wives? Or by the woman who became enthralled with her? Or maybe Sly Mantooth? Or was something else elemental-greed, buried treasure, fame-at work?
"Faye's obsession with this case tests her professional ethics and it tests her marriage. Such was the power of Sophia Townsend that, twenty-nine years after her murder, she wreaks havoc (along with the weather) once again."
~~back cover
I could hardly put this book down! It was the most realistic view of field archaeology so far, and I loved it! There's always a side leitmotif in these books, on the workings of Joe & Faye's marriage, and this one was no exception: Faye's professional ethics pitted again the demands of her family. And as usual, a desperate, life threatening stand off at the end ... did everyone make it out alive? No spoilers here ... you'll have to read the book for yourself.
April 21, 2020
Another difficult book to review. I liked it immensely and I'm eager to read more of the series. But it didn't have that little extra whoompf which would make me give it five stars and put the next book on hold immediately.
The heroine-slash-bone detective is great. Her husband is a supporting character and doesn't have much role to play, either in the action or the character development. And there appear to be some children, offstage and ignored. And a father-in-law who seemed intriguing but never seemed to make much sense.
Yet the author creates a good plot and doesn't rely too much on silly coincidences and a perpetrator's monologue to wrap up and explain all the loose ends.
The heroine-slash-bone detective is great. Her husband is a supporting character and doesn't have much role to play, either in the action or the character development. And there appear to be some children, offstage and ignored. And a father-in-law who seemed intriguing but never seemed to make much sense.
Yet the author creates a good plot and doesn't rely too much on silly coincidences and a perpetrator's monologue to wrap up and explain all the loose ends.
August 8, 2018
This was not a hold-on-to-the-seat-of-your-pants kind of read. Rather, it begins with an archeological dig restarting after 29 years of being left deserted. Faye and Joe are in Oklahoma visiting Sly (Joe's father) and Faye picked up a bit of work at the dig to help pay expenses for the trip.
Things get complicated very quickly, and old hurts and betrayals begin to surface. One thing is certain - someone is trying to keep the dig from happening. The novel was a comfortable read, but it did seem to lack consistent forward propulsion!
Things get complicated very quickly, and old hurts and betrayals begin to surface. One thing is certain - someone is trying to keep the dig from happening. The novel was a comfortable read, but it did seem to lack consistent forward propulsion!
June 13, 2017
There's a lot of archeological detail to all the novels in this series. This one takes place at a dig in Oklahoma that is being reopened many years after it was originally dug. Surprise! The archeologist who disappeared thirty years earlier turns up (literally) when the backhoe starts removing dirt. Lots of intrigue but not much tension. Evans is not strong in character development so you have little passion for Faye, Joe or anybody else. Not terrible, not fabulous. Kinda meh.
April 30, 2018
Faye Longchamp and her husband have returned to his father's home in order to scatter his mother's ashes, and Faye is helping to finance the trip by hiring on as a consutant on the re-pening of an archeological site on Muscogee (Creek) land. When the dig turns up the bones of an archeologist who had disappeared 29 years before, the tribal police chief hires Faye as a consultant for his investigation.
June 2, 2018
An archaeological dig with the archaeologist possibly murdered and interred among the ancient artifacts. A small community of members of the Creek Nation, some of whom want to document the relics of their past and others who want to leave the sites of their ancestors undisturbed. I had trouble keeping the characters straight, especially two who were both the same age and profession and whose involvement in the original excavation were identical. Not a bad story.
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April 26, 2021Faye and Joe are in Oklahoma to help his dad disperse his mother's ashes. Faye has picked up a job helping to assess an archeological dig that was shut down almost 30 years ago when the woman in charge disappeared. First the group is shot at, then the bones of the woman who disappeared are discovered at the dig site. Faye agrees to help local tribal police investigate the murder. It doesn't help that the dead women was not very nice when she was alive and managed to anger several people.
October 11, 2023
The intricacy of this plot really kept the story moving along. So many possibilities present themselves amongst the old murder and new. Faye's character develops a new understanding of human frailties and the meaning of love as she works to unravel Sly's part in the events, and how well can we actually know someone.
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September 25, 2024Faye & Joe travel to OK to visit Joe's father Sly. Faye has been hired for a dig on Creek land to finance the trip. First she & 2 others are shot at. Then the find the buried body of the team leader who disappeared in 1987. A deputy that is left to guard the site is shot. Faye & the sheriff follow the clues to find the old & new killers. Faye fears it my be Sly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
I love the blending of social science (archaeology/anthropology/racial relations); education about anthropology of specific, real locations; and good mystery puzzles in this series, plus sympathetic characters that show all to human characteristics. This one involves the protagonist's husband's family, along with a revived archaeological dig on native American land. A good read!
August 6, 2017
Just finished reading through all 10 books. I'd read 3 or 4 through the years but really enjoyed reading them back to back. I love archaeology and enjoy spending time with Faye and Joe. Looking forward to #11
December 25, 2017
I'm in love with this series. Starting reading them out of order with Plunder. As soon as I finished that book I was hooked and so interested to see how these characters started. So back to the beginning and now I can't wait for the new one to come out.
April 9, 2020
I highly recommend the entire Faye Longchamp Mantooth mystery series. They are richly constructed with complex details, history, and suspense not to mention wonderful characters. I have only two more volumes to go and will be so sad when I’m finished.
August 24, 2022
Si, después de 10 libros muchas cosas se vuelven predecibles y repetitivas pero .. who cares? Me encantan los personajes y las historias son super entretenidas, además me encanta la autora pues se nota que investiga u cuando escribe sobre algún tema, se nota que es con conocimiento. Aguante Faye 😁
December 28, 2017
This was #10 in the Faye Longchamp Mantooth series. It took me a little longer to get interested in, but I am looking forward to more about these characters.
May 24, 2017
Dry and long-winded. It's like being told about a dream by someone who you don't really like all the much.
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