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Nicky Matthews #2
The Third Warrior
From the award-winning author of Hearts of the Missing and the Nicky Matthew Mysteries series
THE THIRD WARRIOR
Ancient prophecies and murder
When Fire-Sky Pueblo Police Sergeant Nicky Matthews is lured by an eerie spirit to the body of a missing cowboy, it should’ve been a cut and dry case—the New Mexico summer heat must have driven the poor guy to cool off in an isolated water tank with tragic consequences. But as Nicky investigates the cowboy’s erratic last days, his death turns more and more sinister.
Betrayals close to home
Someone in the Fire-Sky police department is warning Albuquerque’s most vicious drug gang of undercover operations on the Pueblo. Begging Nicky to help him find the snitch, her former lover—and New Mexico’s State Police Chief—barrels back into her life, endangering her growing relationship with Conservation Agent Franco Martinez. But when the trail leads back to her best friend, Nicky is torn between her loyalties and her job.
A stalking death
The two investigations collide as fires erupt on and off the Pueblo. With the tension, heat, and body count rising, Nicky’s actions take a reckless and dangerous turn, her behavior and emotions driven by elements outside of her control. She soon realizes the spirit who led her to the first body only appears to those about to die.
And lately, she’s seen him a lot.
THE THIRD WARRIOR
Ancient prophecies and murder
When Fire-Sky Pueblo Police Sergeant Nicky Matthews is lured by an eerie spirit to the body of a missing cowboy, it should’ve been a cut and dry case—the New Mexico summer heat must have driven the poor guy to cool off in an isolated water tank with tragic consequences. But as Nicky investigates the cowboy’s erratic last days, his death turns more and more sinister.
Betrayals close to home
Someone in the Fire-Sky police department is warning Albuquerque’s most vicious drug gang of undercover operations on the Pueblo. Begging Nicky to help him find the snitch, her former lover—and New Mexico’s State Police Chief—barrels back into her life, endangering her growing relationship with Conservation Agent Franco Martinez. But when the trail leads back to her best friend, Nicky is torn between her loyalties and her job.
A stalking death
The two investigations collide as fires erupt on and off the Pueblo. With the tension, heat, and body count rising, Nicky’s actions take a reckless and dangerous turn, her behavior and emotions driven by elements outside of her control. She soon realizes the spirit who led her to the first body only appears to those about to die.
And lately, she’s seen him a lot.
- GenresMystery
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 4, 2021
5 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Carol Potenza
12 books120 followersCarol Potenza is a biochemistry professor by day and a mystery author by night. She loves the combination of her two careers because it gives her the ability not only to teach her students about the biochemical effects of poison, but also to use said poisons very creatively in her murder mysteries (along with other diabolical methods). She lives in the beautiful state of New Mexico with her husband, Jose, and two dogs, Daphne and Hermes, they inherited from her sister.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 30, 2022
Getting hooked on Carol Potenzas character Nicki Mathews . I just finished Third Warrior after reading Hearts of the Missing, also Nicki Mathews mystery set in New Mexico.
The character Nicky Mathews has evolved in the past two books. She's somewhat of a mystery herself.
As a strong but vulnerable person she keeps up a a independent professional life when possible.
Yet she has a inner life that connects to the Native American Spirit world also.
Personally it's that spiritual connection with Native American culture keeps me turning the pages .
I'm usually not a big mystery reader but I wonder what the next book will evolve into.
The character Nicky Mathews has evolved in the past two books. She's somewhat of a mystery herself.
As a strong but vulnerable person she keeps up a a independent professional life when possible.
Yet she has a inner life that connects to the Native American Spirit world also.
Personally it's that spiritual connection with Native American culture keeps me turning the pages .
I'm usually not a big mystery reader but I wonder what the next book will evolve into.
August 12, 2021
The author’s real world knowledge as a biochemistry professor is readily apparent in this plot which mixes indigenous beliefs with chelation. Yes, look that word up. Sergeant Nicky Matthews is once again battling the brass and inner demons as she strives to protect the people of the Pueblo. A family of fetish carvers has had three brothers die in suspicious circumstances. Are they all suicides? The family has a reputation for lawlessness as well. Turf wars over jurisdiction on drug and human trafficking continue to make life harder. Is someone from the Pueblo’s Department of Safety tipping off the cartels? It’s hot and dry and fires are breaking out. Plus Nicky’s personal life is a mess with both men and finances. There’s a lot going on.
I could have done without all the romance drama and it takes awhile to wrap up but I enjoyed it even if the Pueblo is fictional.
I could have done without all the romance drama and it takes awhile to wrap up but I enjoyed it even if the Pueblo is fictional.
February 28, 2022
I have read everyTony Hillerman book and, being raised in the Southwest, loved how he (and later his daughter Anne Hillerman) captured so beautifully the aura of the land and its people. Author Carol Potenza's debut novel, Hearts of the Missing, won the Tony Hillerman Prize for Best First Mystery Set in the Southwest and her sophomore novel was so good she is now on my automatic-buy list.t was so good she is now on my automatic-buy list.
Potenza’s second book, The Third Warrior (Tiny Mammoth Press, August 3, 2021), is every bit as enthralling as a Hillerman Leaphorn or Chee mystery novel. Potenza’s love for the New Mexico landscape comes through clearly. Additionally, she has a strong female protagonist, Nicky Matthews, an officer in the police department of the Fire-Sky people. Though not a Native American, she is trusted by the people she serves. The book combines well-conceived plot twists in which Native American mythology clashes with illegal drug distribution and human trafficking. I love the esoteric science Potenza utilizes as Nicky tracks down murderers and thieves of sacred items while she deals with past characterized by abandonment, a boss who dislikes her, a sleazy former lover, an impending financial disaster, and a new love interest.
Potenza’s second book, The Third Warrior (Tiny Mammoth Press, August 3, 2021), is every bit as enthralling as a Hillerman Leaphorn or Chee mystery novel. Potenza’s love for the New Mexico landscape comes through clearly. Additionally, she has a strong female protagonist, Nicky Matthews, an officer in the police department of the Fire-Sky people. Though not a Native American, she is trusted by the people she serves. The book combines well-conceived plot twists in which Native American mythology clashes with illegal drug distribution and human trafficking. I love the esoteric science Potenza utilizes as Nicky tracks down murderers and thieves of sacred items while she deals with past characterized by abandonment, a boss who dislikes her, a sleazy former lover, an impending financial disaster, and a new love interest.
September 5, 2022
I really enjoyed this continuation of the Nicky Matthews series. It held my interest throughout the story and nothing you think will happen does - there are surprises throughout the book. Nicky is an imperfect hero and that makes her even more believable. If you haven’t read the first book, “Hearts of the Missing,” do it. Then read this one. I can’t wait for the next one in the series.
October 25, 2021
Love the blend of mystery and topical events, science and magic, humor and dread. Evocative writing. Nicky Matthews is a legit badass. Can’t wait for the next in the series!
April 9, 2023
Highly recommend
August 29, 2025
Excellently written, but a little too dark for me. I will read the next one because I already got it from the library.
December 31, 2021
I loved Potenza's first book in the Nicky Matthew series, Hearts of the Missing in 2018. After no word or notice about a follow up I lost hope there would be another book. Nicky is such a great character. She's smart, compassionate, ethical and loyal. She's everything you would want in a friend. I was thrilled when I got the word that The Third Warrior had been written and immediately ordered it.
Like I said, Nicky is a great character and the secondary characters are equally interesting. One particular aspect I like was when the Nicky discovers how one of the other characters with autism IS communicating and actually very clearly. This story goes a little more into the paranormal and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I do believe spirits of those who have gone before us can reach out to help us. Did it have a place in solving this crime? Maybe. But I like to think that Nicky is smart enough to have found the murderer without help from the other side.
There were points where the author seemed to have lost direction -- like she was writing off the cuff and then later remembered a dangling thread. The story did get back on track each time. I also felt that the reader could have had a few more clues to "be there" with Nicky as she discovered who was behind each of the secrets that were unveiled. (I did suspect who Ruth was but not why she was jumping in the way she did.)
I wish Potenza had included a little back story beside the references to Nicky's relationship with Dax if for no other reason than it has been 3 years between books. This one could be a stand alone if there was a bit more backstory but if it is read as a stand alone the reader is missing out on a really good read that Hearts of the Missing is.
I would have appreciated as well a bit more interspersion of what the various Native words meant. Ryan would have been a great character to have explained that.
I do like Potenza's writing and hope we do not have to wait another 3 years for an entry into this series.
Like I said, Nicky is a great character and the secondary characters are equally interesting. One particular aspect I like was when the Nicky discovers how one of the other characters with autism IS communicating and actually very clearly. This story goes a little more into the paranormal and I'm not sure how I feel about it. I do believe spirits of those who have gone before us can reach out to help us. Did it have a place in solving this crime? Maybe. But I like to think that Nicky is smart enough to have found the murderer without help from the other side.
There were points where the author seemed to have lost direction -- like she was writing off the cuff and then later remembered a dangling thread. The story did get back on track each time. I also felt that the reader could have had a few more clues to "be there" with Nicky as she discovered who was behind each of the secrets that were unveiled. (I did suspect who Ruth was but not why she was jumping in the way she did.)
I wish Potenza had included a little back story beside the references to Nicky's relationship with Dax if for no other reason than it has been 3 years between books. This one could be a stand alone if there was a bit more backstory but if it is read as a stand alone the reader is missing out on a really good read that Hearts of the Missing is.
I would have appreciated as well a bit more interspersion of what the various Native words meant. Ryan would have been a great character to have explained that.
I do like Potenza's writing and hope we do not have to wait another 3 years for an entry into this series.
July 23, 2022
When Nicky Matthews finds a dead man when she investigates she learns that his two older brothers has died as well. Later she learns he has another brother that may be in danger or may be the killer of his brother. And she also learns a child is in danger as well. Then she learns someone is helping a drug dealer to keep them off Fire Sky Pueblo. And the evidence points toward her best friend as the guilty party. This is a great story that keeps you guessing to the end. The story is filled with suspense and action throughout. I look forward to reading more in the series.
I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review.
I received this book from the author for a fair and honest review.
December 4, 2022
salvaging from the ruins
one man turns away out of anger over a long ago past - will that cost them any future?
another follows more than one impulse of his heart- this always leads to heartbreak for someone, and likely more than one
who will suffer?
where at least some intentions are good, can something be salvaged from the ashes?
intense interpersonal drama, politics and personal pains
one man turns away out of anger over a long ago past - will that cost them any future?
another follows more than one impulse of his heart- this always leads to heartbreak for someone, and likely more than one
who will suffer?
where at least some intentions are good, can something be salvaged from the ashes?
intense interpersonal drama, politics and personal pains
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews