The Snake

by J.A. Kellman

The Snake, set in two different worlds, is the story of Ann Cunningham, forensic archivist, and describes an investigation that pushes Ann to her physical and emotional limits as she struggles to solve the mystery of an ancient Maya artifact and the bizarre death of a local professor.

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2019

Reviews

[J. Michael Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julia Kellman, professor emerita of art education at the University of Illinois, brings her love and knowledge of Mayan culture to life in this novel. Modeling the protagonist, Ann Cunningham, on herself, she uses her story to let the main character off a leash and relish life and adventure to the fullest. The plot begins with the death of a Mayan scholar doing research in Guatemala. But it is no ordinary death—he has been ritually sacrificed—and his heart torn out. Other deaths began to mount up in the course of the plot. Ann and her friends, partly out of righteous rage—and partly out of nosiness, decide to use their research skills to figure out what is happening. Their lives go back and forth between Tikal National Park in Guatemala and Big Grove—a town modeled on Champaign/Urbana in Illinois. Suspend your disbelief, pour a glass of wine, let your cat curl up on your lap—just like Ann Cunningham at the end of an adventurous day—and enjoy the book.

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the narration of Carrie Coello, who brings the mystery, action and drama to your ears. Perfect


We start off with a snake watching a ritually sacrifice, of Robert Ruston. Ann Cunningham, is a forensic archivist from Illinois, travels to Guatemala to learn more about the murder of Robert Ruston. He was a Mayan scholar doing research in Guatemala. Soon other deaths began to mount up . Ann and her friends, decide to use their research skills to figure out what is happening. Their lives go back and forth between Tikal National Park in Guatemala and Big Grove.

You will be kept on your toes, a great mystery thriller.

[Jo Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Cunningham, detective, is one of my favorite characters! This engrossing mystery moves from Guatemala to central Illinois with an action-packed plot that kept me guessing until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it! I meant to review it a long time ago because it was so good it deserves to be shared, even belatedly, with others!

[Charles Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read that combines mystery, battling cartels, and suspense with a bit of travelogue and lessons in Guatemalan and Mayan culture along the way. It was all the more interesting to me, given I grew up in "Big Grove."

[M.A. Monnin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder, mayhem and Mayan ruins. A fun read!

[Florence Primrose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ann Cunningham, a forensic archivist from Illinois, has traveled to Guatemala to learn more about the sacrificial death of epigrapher Robert Ruston. Ann finds a vulture pectoral pendant in Robert’s desk.
Ann was determined to learn more about Ruston’s death.

Many exciting occurrences in this interesting book.

[Susan Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic adventure! Join Ann Cunningham as she treks into the Yucatan jungle, and is thrust into a coexisting worlds of beauty and violence. If you like Louise Penny, or Tony Hillerman....you're in for a treat. Buy one book for yourself, and one for a friend.