Okay start, saggy middle, goodish end.
That's the one-line verdict.
My second read of Cameron Thorne's adventures. In the previous one--I'm forgetting the name of the novel, I'm sorry--his wife Amanda was alive and his adopted daughter Astarte was a small kid. In fact, that's the story where they find Astarte and adopt her, if I remember right. In this one, Cam has lost his wife to an accident and Astarte is all grown up--all of 17, that is--and has a native Indian boyfriend, Matthias. And yes, Cam speaks to Amanda in his mind, crucial conversations that work to explain his internal turmoil and/ or the thinking-through to clearing his mind.
That the Americas have been visited by older cultures is perhaps well accepted (more among the open-minded, maybe) and the pain Brody takes in laying out the evidence in support mainly works. The plot, I found, a little convoluted. And why Marconi? Other than the blood relationship shown it didn't add to anything more--which is what I was expecting. The Mossad, some minor local toughs, and the Vatican are deployed to spice up the tale, including a woman Mossad agent who casts longing eyes at Cam... anyway, some of it gelled, some didn't. Personally, I felt a little let down when the hugely significant find is unable to be brought out to see the light of day and I was left with a small hope to nurse. Maybe in a sequel.
Overall, an okay+ read.