What do you think?
Rate this book
Joe Higheagle #2
Cluster of Lies
"With Cluster of Lies, Marquis continues to keep me awake at night. I enjoy how he blends together science and his knack for storytelling to craft an insightful and entertaining tale."
--Governor Roy R. Romer, 39th Governor of Colorado
"The Coalition' has a lot of good action and suspense and an unusual female assassin."
--James Patterson, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
"In his novels Blind Thrust and Cluster of Lies, Samuel Marquis vividly combines the excitement of the best modern techno-thrillers."
--Ambassador Marc Grossman, Former U.S. Under Secretary of State
In this second thriller in the Joe Higheagle Environmental Sleuth Series, mysterious deaths are taking place in the Rocky Mountain region outside Denver, Colorado. Joe Higheagle--a full-blooded Cheyenne geologist who has recently become an overnight celebrity for bringing down a billionaire corporate polluter--is hired to investigate Dakota Ranch, where four boys have recently died from a rare form of brain cancer, and Silverado Knolls, a glitzy soon-to-be-built development. He quickly finds himself entangled in an environmental cancer cluster investigation as well as a murderous conspiracy in which friend and foe are indistinguishable and a series of seemingly impenetrable roadblocks are thrown in his path.
--Governor Roy R. Romer, 39th Governor of Colorado
"The Coalition' has a lot of good action and suspense and an unusual female assassin."
--James Patterson, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
"In his novels Blind Thrust and Cluster of Lies, Samuel Marquis vividly combines the excitement of the best modern techno-thrillers."
--Ambassador Marc Grossman, Former U.S. Under Secretary of State
In this second thriller in the Joe Higheagle Environmental Sleuth Series, mysterious deaths are taking place in the Rocky Mountain region outside Denver, Colorado. Joe Higheagle--a full-blooded Cheyenne geologist who has recently become an overnight celebrity for bringing down a billionaire corporate polluter--is hired to investigate Dakota Ranch, where four boys have recently died from a rare form of brain cancer, and Silverado Knolls, a glitzy soon-to-be-built development. He quickly finds himself entangled in an environmental cancer cluster investigation as well as a murderous conspiracy in which friend and foe are indistinguishable and a series of seemingly impenetrable roadblocks are thrown in his path.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2016
About the author
Samuel Marquis
16 books117 followersSamuel Marquis, M.S., P.G., is a professional hydrogeologist, expert witness, and award-winning author of "Empire and Frontier," "Captain Kidd," and eleven other nonfiction history and historical fiction books, covering the period from colonial America through WWII. His historical titles have been #1 Denver Post bestsellers, received national book awards, and garnered glowing reviews from historians, bestselling authors, and U.S. military veterans. He and his wife live in Louisville, CO, where they raised their three children. His website is samuelmarquisbooks.com and for publicity inquiries, please contact BooksForward at info@booksforward.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
November 15, 2024
Samuel Marquis delivers another solid story that mixes investigative gumption with some technical prowess. Joe Higheagle is a well-established consultant working in the world of environmental geology. When he notices a young boy in for cancer treatment, Joe learns that a number of other children have passed away from a rare for of cancer, all living in the same housing complex. Taking on the task of proving that the ground is poisoning and killing residents, Higheagle clashes with those in charge and others who have turned a blind eye. Refusing to stand down, Joe Higheagle realizes just how far some will go to put wealth over health, even if the most vulnerable. Marquis delivers another stellar story with strong themes.
Joe Higheagle is back and taking notice when a number of mysterious deaths can be tied to a housing project outside Denver. Four children have died from a rare form of cancer, with no other apparent exposure other than where they live. Higheagle, a geologist by trade and environmental activist by choice, takes on the investigation when he meets a young boy who has been diagnosed with a brain stem cancer few can pronounce. Dakota Ranch appears to be a great place to live, but Higheagle seeks to prove that it could be deadly and its owners are covering things up when the Colorado Department of Health begins looking into the claims of cancer rates.
With a new housing project set to be opened by developer Hayden Prescott, Joe Higheagle wants answers and finds himself receiving a significant amount of pushback. What is being covered up and why would someone knowingly put people at risk, especially children? All the while, Higheagle must forge connections and use the resources at his fingertips to get answers and blow the lid off the secretive goings-on that show Prescott has been buying off opposition and perhaps murdering those who try to challenge him.
While his notoriety for bringing down a billionaire land polluter precedes him, Joe Higheagle cannot deny his desire to help others. His ancestors, the Cheyenne Tribe, have instilled a sense of fairness in him and nothing will detail Joe Higheagle from ensuring the truth gets out. The only thing stopping him might be if he is life is extinguished before those in positions of authority can see the real numbers and facts some would prefer be kept hidden. Another strong novel by Samuel Marquis that has me wishing there were more in the series to read.
I enjoy crime thrillers that approach things from angles not overdone within the genre. Samuel Marquis delivers once more with this piece that tackles scientific and geological themes, yet is palpable for the lay reader. This novel provided all I could have asked of and more, just as the series debut did when I had a chance to read it. The narrative provided the framework for a great reading experience, solid and ever-evolving. Told in a clear way, though peppered with great scientific themes, Marquis educates the curious reader from the opening pages until all is resolved. The momentum is not lost with the technical references, making it a straightforward reader for any reader. Characters emerge and keep the reader curious, each from their own sphere. Joe Higheagle is both a successful environmental geologist and a proud member of the Cheyenne community, providing a standout indigenous flavour to the story. Plot points are central and never wane, creating surprises and curiosity as the reader makes their way through this story. I have enjoyed the two novels already published in this series and can hope that there will be more, even after such a long hiatus.
Kudos, Mr. Marquis, for such a gripping story that had me hooked until the very end.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Joe Higheagle is back and taking notice when a number of mysterious deaths can be tied to a housing project outside Denver. Four children have died from a rare form of cancer, with no other apparent exposure other than where they live. Higheagle, a geologist by trade and environmental activist by choice, takes on the investigation when he meets a young boy who has been diagnosed with a brain stem cancer few can pronounce. Dakota Ranch appears to be a great place to live, but Higheagle seeks to prove that it could be deadly and its owners are covering things up when the Colorado Department of Health begins looking into the claims of cancer rates.
With a new housing project set to be opened by developer Hayden Prescott, Joe Higheagle wants answers and finds himself receiving a significant amount of pushback. What is being covered up and why would someone knowingly put people at risk, especially children? All the while, Higheagle must forge connections and use the resources at his fingertips to get answers and blow the lid off the secretive goings-on that show Prescott has been buying off opposition and perhaps murdering those who try to challenge him.
While his notoriety for bringing down a billionaire land polluter precedes him, Joe Higheagle cannot deny his desire to help others. His ancestors, the Cheyenne Tribe, have instilled a sense of fairness in him and nothing will detail Joe Higheagle from ensuring the truth gets out. The only thing stopping him might be if he is life is extinguished before those in positions of authority can see the real numbers and facts some would prefer be kept hidden. Another strong novel by Samuel Marquis that has me wishing there were more in the series to read.
I enjoy crime thrillers that approach things from angles not overdone within the genre. Samuel Marquis delivers once more with this piece that tackles scientific and geological themes, yet is palpable for the lay reader. This novel provided all I could have asked of and more, just as the series debut did when I had a chance to read it. The narrative provided the framework for a great reading experience, solid and ever-evolving. Told in a clear way, though peppered with great scientific themes, Marquis educates the curious reader from the opening pages until all is resolved. The momentum is not lost with the technical references, making it a straightforward reader for any reader. Characters emerge and keep the reader curious, each from their own sphere. Joe Higheagle is both a successful environmental geologist and a proud member of the Cheyenne community, providing a standout indigenous flavour to the story. Plot points are central and never wane, creating surprises and curiosity as the reader makes their way through this story. I have enjoyed the two novels already published in this series and can hope that there will be more, even after such a long hiatus.
Kudos, Mr. Marquis, for such a gripping story that had me hooked until the very end.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
March 8, 2017
Cluster of Lies is well written, fast paced, full of interesting and believable characters (good and bad) with a great plot and storyline. Mr. Marquis's background in geology is evident in his writing as is his knowledge of Colorado. Boring this book is not! You get drawn into the story from the murder in the first chapter and you don't let go until the epilogue. Riveting, timely, compelling and scary. A great read from beginning to end.
October 2, 2016
This is my first introduction to author, Samuel Marquis' work. As a fellow Coloradoan; I had to try this author's work out. I am only about 3 1/2 hours away from Denver. So, I enjoyed the different location references in this book. Right away I knew I liked Mr. Marquis from this sentence " Below on the ice, the first game of the semi-final Stanley Cup series between the Colorado Avalanche and the hated Detroit Red Wings was in full swing." I am a Avalanche fan and anyone who is a true fan can relate to the hatred between the Avalanche and the Red Wings.
While I have not read the first book I do like Joe Higheagle. He is intelligent and fights hard for the truth. Knowing that the author wrote this book with first hand experience regarding a cancer cluster case did add another layer of intrigue to the story as a whole. For the most part I found this to be a quick read. Although, there were a few times where it did lag some for me but luckily not for too long. I do agree with another reader that Joe is like the male version of Erin Brockovich.
While I have not read the first book I do like Joe Higheagle. He is intelligent and fights hard for the truth. Knowing that the author wrote this book with first hand experience regarding a cancer cluster case did add another layer of intrigue to the story as a whole. For the most part I found this to be a quick read. Although, there were a few times where it did lag some for me but luckily not for too long. I do agree with another reader that Joe is like the male version of Erin Brockovich.
December 8, 2020
Cluster
There is no mistaking this garbage as rotten language use. The f-word, or derivatives thereof, are abundantly used from the beginning to the end. Better writings elsewhere.
There is no mistaking this garbage as rotten language use. The f-word, or derivatives thereof, are abundantly used from the beginning to the end. Better writings elsewhere.
January 24, 2017
Samuel Marquis’s “Cluster of Lies,” arrived in the mail on Saturday afternoon. I finished it by Monday afternoon, just couldn’t put it down. Set in Colorado, this is the second book in the Joe Higheagle Environmental Sleuth Series, and features the environmental geologist Joe and his grandfather, Chief John Higheagle, both of whom first appeared in “Blind Thrust.” The novel is an Enviro-Thriller based on Marquis’s work on the Rosamond, California, cancer cluster, think Erin Brockovitch, only involving a handsome, environmentally-conscious, warrior named Joseph Higheagle.
Marquis’s novel takes you on a journey of deceit, murder, intrigue, hope, and redemption, as you follow how each step of this tale unravels. Using his geology background and experience, Marquis’s writing grabs the reader’s attention and captivates you from its first page to its last, by sleuthing through geological evidence, and toxic dumping’s impact on human health. There is always some one to blame. Each character is fully developed, to the point you feel you are there, and know each one intimately. I found, at times, my heart racing, and sinking, my body tensing, and relaxing, and off and on my face grimacing and smiling.
“Cluster of Lies” is both a fun and seriously, important read, and I highly recommend it.
Marquis’s novel takes you on a journey of deceit, murder, intrigue, hope, and redemption, as you follow how each step of this tale unravels. Using his geology background and experience, Marquis’s writing grabs the reader’s attention and captivates you from its first page to its last, by sleuthing through geological evidence, and toxic dumping’s impact on human health. There is always some one to blame. Each character is fully developed, to the point you feel you are there, and know each one intimately. I found, at times, my heart racing, and sinking, my body tensing, and relaxing, and off and on my face grimacing and smiling.
“Cluster of Lies” is both a fun and seriously, important read, and I highly recommend it.
May 4, 2022
Maybe not quite four stars, but I'm feeling generous.
As to be expected, the structure of this book was similar to book #1, with similar strengths and weaknesses.
As with book #1 in the series, this is a good page-turner. That's probably the biggest reason it deserves the fourth star.
A few misspellings, but not as many as book #1. The author (and reviewers) have problems with homophones, I think.
There was slightly more romance in this one, and it was more plausible.
The sense of place fell short.
Not much from book #1 was resolved in book #2, other than knowing that Joe and John Higheagle are alive and kicking.
As with book #1, the story is a mess from a police procedural point of view.
As with book #1, the story is a complex web, and for the most part the author resolves all the threads, though perhaps not in a deeply satisfying way.
As to be expected, the structure of this book was similar to book #1, with similar strengths and weaknesses.
As with book #1 in the series, this is a good page-turner. That's probably the biggest reason it deserves the fourth star.
A few misspellings, but not as many as book #1. The author (and reviewers) have problems with homophones, I think.
There was slightly more romance in this one, and it was more plausible.
The sense of place fell short.
Not much from book #1 was resolved in book #2, other than knowing that Joe and John Higheagle are alive and kicking.
As with book #1, the story is a mess from a police procedural point of view.
As with book #1, the story is a complex web, and for the most part the author resolves all the threads, though perhaps not in a deeply satisfying way.
December 17, 2020
A interesting book which no doubt does happen in real life. Joe HighEagle was a environmentalists and he was hired to do some research and samples of land that they were planning on putting homes up . He meet a young boy and his mom at the hospital one day and found out that there were more kids from the same are that had cancer . Most of them died. So Joe is determined to find out if the land was safe from illegal chemicals and such, So he started to investigate about it. There seems to be several men possibly involved in the dumping of them but all said it wasnt there fault at all. Learned lost of information on this particular subject from reading this book.
May 28, 2021
The Cheyenne are on the hunt or is that, warpath?
Lots of high drama and intrigue when Native American geologist Joe High Eagle is engaged to investigate 2 property developments. He and his Cheyenne grandfather, uncover a child cancer cluster that seems to originate on one of the estates and unearth suspicions of illegal dumping of toxic wastes. They are physically threatened by the millionaire property developer responsible for both estates and rather than deter the investigation, this altercation inflames the two Cheyenne to fight back hard.
Lots of high drama and intrigue when Native American geologist Joe High Eagle is engaged to investigate 2 property developments. He and his Cheyenne grandfather, uncover a child cancer cluster that seems to originate on one of the estates and unearth suspicions of illegal dumping of toxic wastes. They are physically threatened by the millionaire property developer responsible for both estates and rather than deter the investigation, this altercation inflames the two Cheyenne to fight back hard.
August 1, 2021
An Interesting and Educational Novel
I enjoyed reading this book, learning about the characters, and the plotlines for each of the more major ones. The pace was good. The complexities were intriguing, and the resolutions satisfying. The only criticism I have is that the description of the "sweat" ceremony was inaccurate according to all I know and have experienced--pipestone is catlinite... catlandite is not a stone; and neither hemp nor cannabis would ever be smoked in a sacred "pipe," especially a purification ceremony.
I enjoyed reading this book, learning about the characters, and the plotlines for each of the more major ones. The pace was good. The complexities were intriguing, and the resolutions satisfying. The only criticism I have is that the description of the "sweat" ceremony was inaccurate according to all I know and have experienced--pipestone is catlinite... catlandite is not a stone; and neither hemp nor cannabis would ever be smoked in a sacred "pipe," especially a purification ceremony.
December 13, 2020
I grew up in Colorado and therefore I especially enjoy novels set in Denver and the surrounding area. Samuel Marquis joins the elite group of Colorado crime fiction authors including my favorite Robert Greer. Marquis is a good story teller; well researched; his characters are fascinating; his prose highly readable.
December 21, 2020
What a story!!!
It seems like a lot of the books written today could possibly be real.This is one of those books. It is a powerful thriller that kept building to the very end. The author brings the characters to life in such a way that you have actual feelings for them whether it be good or bad. It is definitely a book that you want to read without stopping until the end.
It seems like a lot of the books written today could possibly be real.This is one of those books. It is a powerful thriller that kept building to the very end. The author brings the characters to life in such a way that you have actual feelings for them whether it be good or bad. It is definitely a book that you want to read without stopping until the end.
December 22, 2020
A really good read!
Although we could have forecast the ultimate outcome in this novel, the subject is very pertinent to today's environmental concerns and the author wrote with a degree of familiarity about the way we, in the West,view how the corporate bureaucrats think about us.
Although we could have forecast the ultimate outcome in this novel, the subject is very pertinent to today's environmental concerns and the author wrote with a degree of familiarity about the way we, in the West,view how the corporate bureaucrats think about us.
January 17, 2021
Joe had the job to test the soil soil ready for some new huseshe meets a boy and mum and discovers that some children have cought cancer and some have died and sets out to find out more it seems there coukld be ilegal chemicals on the land and several men could be responseable for the dumping of these chemicals of course rthey all say that it was not them that dumped them
joe works out who
joe works out who
November 23, 2020
Found a new Favorite Author!
After reading several of his books, Mr. Marquis has turned me into a great fan! Always full of surprises, his stories are exciting, informative and really hard to put down. I love the Joe Higheagle series and highly recommend it!
After reading several of his books, Mr. Marquis has turned me into a great fan! Always full of surprises, his stories are exciting, informative and really hard to put down. I love the Joe Higheagle series and highly recommend it!
July 1, 2021
Your more than your identity
Refreshing book on what is important to fight against and fight for. Plot is simply to prove/solve but author creativity puts realistic roadblocks to main character. Very good touch tying book's beginning with ending.
Refreshing book on what is important to fight against and fight for. Plot is simply to prove/solve but author creativity puts realistic roadblocks to main character. Very good touch tying book's beginning with ending.
June 19, 2022
Loved this book!! Enjoyed everything about this book from where it took place in Colorado to the native Americans. Even though it was fiction the author made it feel real. Spent several late nights reading. Plan on reading more of his books.
December 22, 2022
Great thriller
This story kept you on your toes until the end.. Lots of information on toxic dumping and cancer clusters. Loved the outcome that the bad guy got his due. Loved the main character and his Indian heritage. Good read!
This story kept you on your toes until the end.. Lots of information on toxic dumping and cancer clusters. Loved the outcome that the bad guy got his due. Loved the main character and his Indian heritage. Good read!
December 9, 2020
True to life
Wonderful plot never knowing what was going to happen om the next page very thrilling.looking forward to his next book.
Wonderful plot never knowing what was going to happen om the next page very thrilling.looking forward to his next book.
December 10, 2020
Environmental thriller
Joseph Higheagle investigates the high incidence of a rare cancer in young boys. A fast moving read with a great result.
Joseph Higheagle investigates the high incidence of a rare cancer in young boys. A fast moving read with a great result.
December 18, 2020
Great
I loved the book. It was a different story than the other books I've read. Storyline was well thought out. Would like everyone who enjoys this type of story to read this book.
I loved the book. It was a different story than the other books I've read. Storyline was well thought out. Would like everyone who enjoys this type of story to read this book.
December 21, 2020
Thrilling, heart pounding adventure
Great read that I just could not put down. Especially liked the romance tied into the Native American facts.
Would read this author again.
Great read that I just could not put down. Especially liked the romance tied into the Native American facts.
Would read this author again.
January 4, 2021
Good guys vs bad
I just enjoyed the book and the interaction of the characters.
Nice to have unexpected allies come to your aid when needed.
I just enjoyed the book and the interaction of the characters.
Nice to have unexpected allies come to your aid when needed.
January 18, 2021
There are plenty of twists and turns in this book! It held my interest well. Thanks BookBub for making it available to me!
January 25, 2021
Interesting read.
March 29, 2021
A great story
A very interesting story about how gread will control lives. Even though this book is fiction we all have heard of building sites being filled with industry waste.
A very interesting story about how gread will control lives. Even though this book is fiction we all have heard of building sites being filled with industry waste.
June 4, 2021
A great story but......
This was a really great story but it had entirely too much profanity in it. Also it had a lot of big words that I absolutely had no idea what they meant.
This was a really great story but it had entirely too much profanity in it. Also it had a lot of big words that I absolutely had no idea what they meant.
December 11, 2021
Great
I enjoyed this from beginning to end. A great author and truly outstanding theme. It borders on truth and an area of concern.
I enjoyed this from beginning to end. A great author and truly outstanding theme. It borders on truth and an area of concern.
December 10, 2020
Very enjoyable yarn. Recommended.
October 12, 2016
Since reading Blind Thrust, I have been anxiously waiting for round 2 with environmental geologist Joe Higheagle. I love that guy! Mr. Marquis makes him such an interesting character: a full-blooded Cheyenne, a geologist, and now a celebrity. I have always loved tales from the West and yet am drawn to mysteries when I pick which book I will read. This book provides both and grabs you right from the beginning and keeps you in suspense until the end. I lived a couple of years in a neighborhood that was labeled a cancer cluster (I think due to agricultural chemicals in the groundwater) so I was doubly interested in Cluster of Lies. Without giving away any of the plot, know that this fast-paced book is chock full of well thought out & interesting characters -- some full of compassion and some full of greed. There is romance, there is mystery, there is environmental cancer clusters, there is conspiracy and there is not enough hours in the day for me to read it!!! Which is why it took me more than one day. You will love the setting (who does not LOVE Colorado), you will again love Joe Higheagle and I promise you will be drawn into the supporting characters quickly. Couldn't wait to finish the book and now can't wait for round 3!
September 27, 2016
Cluster of Lies is a well plotted, fast paced, story of conscious versus greed. Marquis brings back Environmental Geologist Joseph Higheagle in what seems to be a simple case of reading reports and giving a high paying client his professional opinion, but if it were that simple, I wouldn’t be talking about it. Higheagle has to deal with some deep moments during the book that involve a lot of people. Keep quiet, go public, threaten, what should he do? The problems he faces involves a woman he’s falling for and her son that has developed cancer, most likely due to illegal dumping on the planned community they live in. Another problem is the man apparently responsible for it is the woman’s ex-lover.
Marquis gives us a great supporting cast with the telling of five main stories all linked together through Higheagle and the illegal waste dumping.
Marquis gives us a great supporting cast with the telling of five main stories all linked together through Higheagle and the illegal waste dumping.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews