The Jaguar Mask

by Daniel Easterman

Set in the heart of the American jungle and featuring Declan Carberry, the not-so handsome hero of Day of Wrath, this page-turner oozes excitement, exotica and Formula One suspense. Archaeologist Leo is on a dig. But this is no ordinary assignment. He's deep in the heart of the Mexican jungle uncovering another centuries-old Mayan city. Like a surgeon performing a most-intricate operation, Leo and his team skilfully remove each crumb of earth with the utmost precision. In France, Declan Carberry is busy trying to solve a string of ritual serial murders. Horrific in the extreme, the questions are who and why? Declan needs to move fast, for time is running out. Delving into the history of the Conquistadors and the Maya of South America, this vertiginous tale of snaring and netting, old rituals and modern codes, blood-letting and immortality is Easterman at his dizzying best.

Genres: Thriller, Horror, Adventure

562 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

A pseudonym used by Denis M. MacEoin (aka Jonathan Aycliffe).

Reviews

[Jeremy Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for adventure stories–and an even softer spot for archaeologists and/or others running around tropical jungles. I know these types of stories have become cliché, but there’s something mysterious and romantic about the prospect of Central/South American jungles and lost treasures that keeps authors writing them and fans reading them.

Having said that, the blurb of The Jaguar Mask: An archaeologist named Leo is on a dig deep in the heart of the Mexican jungle uncovering another centuries-old Mayan city. Meanwhile in France another man named Declan Carberry is trying to solve a string of ritual serial murders. Without giving too much away, the storylines explore the history of the Conquistadors and the Mayans of South America, old rituals and modern codes, blood-letting and immortality. I never heard of this author before I read this one, and I can’t even remember where I picked up this book, but it had a cool cover, so I gave it a shot (yeah, I do sometimes judge a book by its cover!). In sum, the author is not up there with James Rollins or Clive Cussler (but who is?); however, if you’re an adventure fan, and haven’t heard of Easterman, give him a go.

[D'Ailleurs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Υπέρμετρα βαρετό, αδιάφορο, κάνει μεγαλύτερη κοιλιά και από αυτή του Πόλντο, αργεί να μπει στο ζουμί, στερεοτυπικοί χαρακτήρες με εμμονή στη σύναψη ερωτικών σχέσεων μεταξύ νεαρών γυναικών με μεγαλύτερους άντρες, ντεκαυλέ φινάλε και πληθώρα Λατινοαμερικάνικων λέξεων στις οποίες δεν δίνεται εξήγηση: Αρίμα υ Αδελαντε κον Βασκονσέλος, Ελεγκάν Φοριάς, νακόμ, πανούτσος, τσαλούπας, κορίδα, ουιπίλ, κουάγια, αγουασίλ, κορίδα ντε νοβίγιος τόρος, ντε πασέο, μεστένιο, μποσαλέα, πάτιο ντε καμπάγιος, μορδίδας, ντερετσάτο ντε ροδίγιας, ραμπολέρα, μπαντερίγιας, ρεσιμπιέντο, μουλέτα, εσκρίμπιρ νο βάλε νάδα, μακουαουιτλ, τεπεσκουίτλ, κουάρτε, γαναδέρο, κουτσιγιέρο, πουνιάλ λα ματέ, κιέν ντε μάντο, καράχο, εστόκε και λοιπά και λοιπά...

[Alyx Cullen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poor writing, but very entertaining nonetheless.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story line that kept my attention all the way through. My only complaint was a somewhat abrupt ending.

[Florence Nrtptt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Points d'incohérence notamment lors du sauvetage du policier :celui ci sait que sa vie est en danger et se rend tout de même sans prévenir dans une cérémonie ou endroit sans prévenir personne et sans renfort. Bizarre et inexplicable. Incoherent.
La vitesse avec laquelle on parle d'amour dans ce roman me sidère.
L'araignée finale fait partie du registre fantastique ce qui n'est pas compatible selon moi avec le genre policier.
Enfin la relation entre declan et l'archéologue est peu entretenue et peu nourrie et le personnage de Rafael, ses motivations les raisons qui l'ont rendue comme ça ne sont pas assez creusées.

[Ysa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Déçue de bout en bout. Quelques idées intéressantes, mais certaines complètement mises de côté, qui ne sont pas élucidées. J'ai cru à un soubresaut d'intérêt au milieu du livre mais en fait non.
Aussi, ce livre peut traumatiser des personnes des araignées sur dix générations. Si vous avez la phobie des araignées, ne lisez pas ce livre.

[Ann Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pluses: Great Action
Intense drama
Good character development
Evil vs. Good
Romances

Minuses: Technical at times
Foreign languages not explained

[Eric Beattie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a film, although a fairly big budget. Would have been 5 stars but the ending was poor.

[Aricia Gavriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars on THE JAGUAR MASK ... and I actually want to give it four, but the ending was something of a let-down. The book, throughout, was tense and realistic, heading inexorably toward a horrifying conclusion. But, but, but ... when it came the finale, though delectably horrible, stretched my "suspension of disbelief" just a little too far. I couldn't believe in the ending, which is a big flaw in a horror novel which has been so realistic in its early phases that is comes to pivot on the believability of the end.

Aside from this -- it's an excellent read. Daniel Easterman writes well, the novel is well researched, and takes the reader on a journey into Mexico's urban jungle, as well is its "green-hell" jungle. Very enjoyable, even though the ending was (for me) a tad too far over the top to be believable. Recommended for a hot week in summer when you're looking for a longer read (562pp) to while away the days.

[Katherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I may keep reading it ... but I'm very tempted to give it away. The author is hiding things from me. He teases me, for example Declan goes to see a GP about his headaches... relevance? no idea, whatever... and asks him about whether there's more to the pineal gland that he was told by the autopsy guy. I can only assume it's important but all I get is the "temperature seemed to drop" as the GP spoke. LAME! Annoying!

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to give it more, I really did, but although written well, something about this book had me simultaneously wanting it to get better but also wanting to throw the book across the room in frustration. Also, how does everyone fall in love in a week in this book!? It's a side plot and not necessary to the main story.

Overall, it was okay, but the whole book lacked suspense, surprise or bravado.

[Noran Miss Pumkin]

My free book of the day.

[Asha Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly ridiculous, outlandish and bizarre. I loved it. (What ever happened to the margay kitten though?!)

[Bea · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book I picked up in hospital after having devoured all my books..

[Branwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit difficult to get into at first but quite a story! Loved this book!