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Digging Up Secrets #1
The Jade Dagger
Archaeologist, Kara Wolfe, receives a call from an old cowboy in Montana asking her to come and assess an artifact that was left anonymously at his museum of the American Old West. When Kara arrives in Four Falls and is shown the jade dagger, things begin to spiral out of control. Drawn into the murder of an unknown woman, will Kara be able to use her skills including her special gift of “sight” to track down the killer and solve the mystery of the jade dagger?
This story has some mild paranormal elements.
This story has some mild paranormal elements.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 29, 2020
359 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Whiting
173 books321 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author and Amazon All Star, J A Whiting is the author of over 100 cozy mysteries. She lives with her family in Massachusetts. Whiting loves spending time with family, reading, traveling, cycling, following New England sports teams, exercising, and being outdoors.
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 19, 2020
Great story
I love all things J.A. Whiting and this was no exception. The characters were well written, though I would have liked a better description of Weston's appearance, shallow that I am. I liked the friendship between Kara and Lucy and the hint of romance with Weston. The story had a great ending with a good build up to the end. I can't wait for more.
I love all things J.A. Whiting and this was no exception. The characters were well written, though I would have liked a better description of Weston's appearance, shallow that I am. I liked the friendship between Kara and Lucy and the hint of romance with Weston. The story had a great ending with a good build up to the end. I can't wait for more.
March 19, 2021
The title hooked me first. The premise got me next. Who could pass up a story about an ancient
Chinese artifact found in Montana? The character development was a little too fragmented. The ending made up for it with lots of excitement.
Chinese artifact found in Montana? The character development was a little too fragmented. The ending made up for it with lots of excitement.
September 30, 2020
Cowboy Museum of Artifacts and Antiques
Started this book yesterday and finished it today. It really had me guessing right to the end Definitely recommend this book to all my friend’s
Started this book yesterday and finished it today. It really had me guessing right to the end Definitely recommend this book to all my friend’s
August 10, 2020
Digging up secrets!
Really good book! I didn’t. Want to put it down. Lots of story lines to put together. Never suspected who the killer was until the very end. When is the next book coming out? I can hardly wait. Jo
Really good book! I didn’t. Want to put it down. Lots of story lines to put together. Never suspected who the killer was until the very end. When is the next book coming out? I can hardly wait. Jo
September 14, 2023
this one did not do it for me. I ended up skimming it near the end so i could know what happened... but in the end...not good
concept was fine but execution wasn't great
concept was fine but execution wasn't great
August 9, 2020
by Barbara Kelley
The Jade Dagger in the first book in the Digging Up Secrets series by cowriters J. A. Whiting and Amanda Diamond.
Kara Wolfe is an archaeologist and anthropological researcher, who has been all over the world to exotic places for archaeological digs and to appraise rare finds; however, she has never been to the state of Montana where a rare jade dagger encrusted with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds was left anonymously at an old cowboy's museum. Her best friend, Lucy Morefield, usually goes with her on these jobs, but this time she stays behind in New York where the two women have a business. Lucy is the only person who knows Kara's secret: when Kara touches an artifact with her bare hands, she can see the item through the eyes of every single person who has ever touched it, from creation to the present. However, when she touches the jade dagger, she initially only sees through one other person's eyes. She cannot see the face because there are no mirrors in the room, but she sees the jade dagger in a person's hands, and that person is cleaning the jade dagger. Then she sees a dead woman lying on the floor on an empty cement room.
This is one of those mysteries that you cannot speed-read because you might miss a single clue that could have you guessing the killer's identity. I was about 3/4 of the way through the book when I realized who the killer was, and guessed it before the main character did.
I have read many series by J. A. Whiting and this one is sure to become a favorite of mine. I especially like the description of Lucy, Kara's best friend, as being a carefree spirit, almost a young hippy. Great job, J. A. Whiting.
The Jade Dagger in the first book in the Digging Up Secrets series by cowriters J. A. Whiting and Amanda Diamond.
Kara Wolfe is an archaeologist and anthropological researcher, who has been all over the world to exotic places for archaeological digs and to appraise rare finds; however, she has never been to the state of Montana where a rare jade dagger encrusted with rubies, sapphires, and emeralds was left anonymously at an old cowboy's museum. Her best friend, Lucy Morefield, usually goes with her on these jobs, but this time she stays behind in New York where the two women have a business. Lucy is the only person who knows Kara's secret: when Kara touches an artifact with her bare hands, she can see the item through the eyes of every single person who has ever touched it, from creation to the present. However, when she touches the jade dagger, she initially only sees through one other person's eyes. She cannot see the face because there are no mirrors in the room, but she sees the jade dagger in a person's hands, and that person is cleaning the jade dagger. Then she sees a dead woman lying on the floor on an empty cement room.
This is one of those mysteries that you cannot speed-read because you might miss a single clue that could have you guessing the killer's identity. I was about 3/4 of the way through the book when I realized who the killer was, and guessed it before the main character did.
I have read many series by J. A. Whiting and this one is sure to become a favorite of mine. I especially like the description of Lucy, Kara's best friend, as being a carefree spirit, almost a young hippy. Great job, J. A. Whiting.
December 27, 2020
This was an interesting job of archaeologist for a main character especially the part where she can read the artifacts she touches. When Kara traveled to Montana to view a dagger she'd been contacted about, she knew when she held it that she needed to find a killer. It seemed really creepy for Kara to actually know the killer's mind when she was touching the dagger, but it was pretty cool. The person she suspected all along was who she looked at first, but there was an interesting twist. The showdown was a good one! I'm definitely going to keep borrowing the series on KU. I hope Kara can continue seeing the guy she met too.
September 16, 2020
Entertaining!!
New series first book is a bit too long but an entertaining plot. Paranormal element is a bit extreme in its scope but I need to read the next one in series. Our heroine is a bit impulsive for an archeologist who has been worldwide and a recognized scholar. Love other series by J A Whiting so have next one in this series already!
New series first book is a bit too long but an entertaining plot. Paranormal element is a bit extreme in its scope but I need to read the next one in series. Our heroine is a bit impulsive for an archeologist who has been worldwide and a recognized scholar. Love other series by J A Whiting so have next one in this series already!
October 11, 2020
Interesting spin on archaeology
Kara Wolfe is an archeologist with a secret power. And in the course of her evaluation of a n ancient jade dagger we find out what it is...sorry, not telling that would be a spoiler. Love archaeology and anything history related. Not a lot of either in this book but interesting read nevertheless.
Kara Wolfe is an archeologist with a secret power. And in the course of her evaluation of a n ancient jade dagger we find out what it is...sorry, not telling that would be a spoiler. Love archaeology and anything history related. Not a lot of either in this book but interesting read nevertheless.
July 3, 2020
Visions
Kara has visions when she handles historic antiquities and this time they come with a side of murder. Called to Montana to verify a jewel encrusted jade dagger lands her in a whole heap of trouble with some unique characters.
Kara has visions when she handles historic antiquities and this time they come with a side of murder. Called to Montana to verify a jewel encrusted jade dagger lands her in a whole heap of trouble with some unique characters.
July 4, 2020
New Series
New series, I liked the characters and storyline. So far I like all of the series’ I have read from JA Whiting. This book could have been a little longer, but can’t wait for book #2!
New series, I liked the characters and storyline. So far I like all of the series’ I have read from JA Whiting. This book could have been a little longer, but can’t wait for book #2!
July 6, 2020
Charming
Read in one sitting. Cute as always written by J A Whiting with a very unique character this time. Interesting little tidbit, don't know if based on fact, but will be fun to Google.
Read in one sitting. Cute as always written by J A Whiting with a very unique character this time. Interesting little tidbit, don't know if based on fact, but will be fun to Google.
July 13, 2020
Ends with a bang.
Stared off slowly, and I must admit that I was almost going to dnf this, but I hung in and found that the story picked up about a third of the way in. The characters are pretty cookie cutter, but it was a fun enough cosy.
3 stars ⭐️
Stared off slowly, and I must admit that I was almost going to dnf this, but I hung in and found that the story picked up about a third of the way in. The characters are pretty cookie cutter, but it was a fun enough cosy.
3 stars ⭐️
July 31, 2020
Fascinating! Thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Entertaining story line. Well written, good pacing. Just enough paranormal to keep it intriguing without being silly. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
Entertaining story line. Well written, good pacing. Just enough paranormal to keep it intriguing without being silly. Looking forward to reading more of this series.
October 17, 2020
Riveting
This book started out slow but still I couldn't put it down. It totally held my attention. I have read many of J A Whiting's series and enjoyed them all. This series is no different and I look forward to reading the next book.
This book started out slow but still I couldn't put it down. It totally held my attention. I have read many of J A Whiting's series and enjoyed them all. This series is no different and I look forward to reading the next book.
July 11, 2020
Very Intersting
This was a very interesting book filled with plenty of suspense,twists and turns.I loved the slight paranormal aspect.
This book is highly recommended.
This was a very interesting book filled with plenty of suspense,twists and turns.I loved the slight paranormal aspect.
This book is highly recommended.
August 25, 2020
This is a unique read. The story was a little hard to follow at first and the over descriptions of things in the story slowed it down some. All and all a good read. Good Reading Everyone!
October 25, 2020
Interesting!
A different kind of mystery. Good but the story was slow to unwind. I will try another book by this author.
A different kind of mystery. Good but the story was slow to unwind. I will try another book by this author.
April 10, 2022
Kara, an east coast young woman with a archaeology degree from Princeton, is heading to Montana to value a Ming Dynasty jeweled jade dagger that has been donated to a "cowboy museum" in a small town south of Glacier National Park. She also has the psychic ability to tell an objects history by holding it.
Sur, the owner of the museum is a 50-something man, who has collected thousands of objects about cowboys. His museum is in a large warehouse like building where like items are stored together - shelves of cowboy hats, rows of guns and gun belts, piles of saddles and saddle blankets, and on and on. When Kara first sees this, she tries to be complimentary about the collection, but secretly thinks Sur is merely a hoarder.
After seeing the dagger which was locked in Sur's safe in his apartment above the museum, she is impressed with its probable value and tells Sur she will contact an expert in the Ming Dynasty. But when she holds the dagger she discovers that the dagger was recently used to kill someone.
The story goes on from there with Kara meeting some of the people in the little town, contacting the expert in the Ming Dynasty, and trying to figure out who was killed and who was the killer. If one can believe in Kara's psychic ability, you'll find the book enjoyable. I was unable to "willingly suspend my belief" in psychic skills to really love the book, but I did enjoy it.
Sur, the owner of the museum is a 50-something man, who has collected thousands of objects about cowboys. His museum is in a large warehouse like building where like items are stored together - shelves of cowboy hats, rows of guns and gun belts, piles of saddles and saddle blankets, and on and on. When Kara first sees this, she tries to be complimentary about the collection, but secretly thinks Sur is merely a hoarder.
After seeing the dagger which was locked in Sur's safe in his apartment above the museum, she is impressed with its probable value and tells Sur she will contact an expert in the Ming Dynasty. But when she holds the dagger she discovers that the dagger was recently used to kill someone.
The story goes on from there with Kara meeting some of the people in the little town, contacting the expert in the Ming Dynasty, and trying to figure out who was killed and who was the killer. If one can believe in Kara's psychic ability, you'll find the book enjoyable. I was unable to "willingly suspend my belief" in psychic skills to really love the book, but I did enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews