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The Alvarez Family #9
The Drop-Dead Temple of Doom
Ace detective Lee Alvarez is perfectly cozy at home with her cats when she and her former Navy SEAL husband receive a panicky call from JJ, an archeologist cousin, who’s on assignment deep in the Guatemalan jungle. The news? JJ is pregnant-- and the father of her child has gone missing in the wilderness. The site director won’t let JJ call the police, so she asks Lee to travel to the jungle and track down her missing man.
Begging for help from Lee Alvarez sure makes sense--Lee’s family runs Discretionary Inquiries, a ritzy Silicon Valley P.I. firm. Lee is the star detective, her Uncle Tio’s on staff as the genius chef, and Lee’s brother, Richard, is a whiz at all things technology. Not to mention the presence of Lee’s very high class, upscale, and frankly scary mother Lila. Who--by the way—steamrolls her way onto Lee’s jungle trip.
A beleaguered Lee, the judgmental and prissy Lila, and Lee’s gorgeous SEAL husband (turned partner-in-crime) depart on the adventure of a lifetime, perfect for cozy mystery armchair travelers. And, once in the jungle, the already-gripping story takes a grisly turn: the three investigators have barely arrived in the lush, verdant wilderness when they discover a dead man--the assistant to JJ’s missing husband--dressed in traditional Mayan warrior garb with a poisonous frog crammed in his mouth.
And that’s just for starters: author Haven concocts a wild ride through the jungle that’s simultaneously fun, potentially fatal, and always entertaining.
Begging for help from Lee Alvarez sure makes sense--Lee’s family runs Discretionary Inquiries, a ritzy Silicon Valley P.I. firm. Lee is the star detective, her Uncle Tio’s on staff as the genius chef, and Lee’s brother, Richard, is a whiz at all things technology. Not to mention the presence of Lee’s very high class, upscale, and frankly scary mother Lila. Who--by the way—steamrolls her way onto Lee’s jungle trip.
A beleaguered Lee, the judgmental and prissy Lila, and Lee’s gorgeous SEAL husband (turned partner-in-crime) depart on the adventure of a lifetime, perfect for cozy mystery armchair travelers. And, once in the jungle, the already-gripping story takes a grisly turn: the three investigators have barely arrived in the lush, verdant wilderness when they discover a dead man--the assistant to JJ’s missing husband--dressed in traditional Mayan warrior garb with a poisonous frog crammed in his mouth.
And that’s just for starters: author Haven concocts a wild ride through the jungle that’s simultaneously fun, potentially fatal, and always entertaining.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2021
98 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Heather Haven
30 books152 followersIn her varied career, Heather has written short stories, novels, comedy acts, television treatments, ad copy, commercials, and had two one-act plays well-received in Manhattan. Once she even ghostwrote a book on how to run an employment agency. She was unemployed at the time. Heather’s first paying job was writing a love story for Moments of Love, published by Bantam Books. But it was her stint at New York City’s No Soap Radio - where she wrote comedic ad copy – that helped develop her long-time love affair with comedy.
She is the acclaimed author of the award winning humorous California PI mystery series, The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries, which includes Murder is a Family Business, A Wedding to Die For, and Death Runs in the Family, available at Amazon.com and selected bookstores.
Her recent endeavor is the Persephone Cole Vintage Mystery Series, taking place in New York City, circa 1940. Ever wonder how Sam Spade or Phillip Marlow might act if they were a woman? Meet Persephone ‘Percy’ Cole. The first of the series includes The Dagger Before Me and the second, Iced Diamonds.
A stand-alone mystery noir, Death of a Clown, made its debut March 1st, published by The Wives of Bath Press.
She is the acclaimed author of the award winning humorous California PI mystery series, The Alvarez Family Murder Mysteries, which includes Murder is a Family Business, A Wedding to Die For, and Death Runs in the Family, available at Amazon.com and selected bookstores.
Her recent endeavor is the Persephone Cole Vintage Mystery Series, taking place in New York City, circa 1940. Ever wonder how Sam Spade or Phillip Marlow might act if they were a woman? Meet Persephone ‘Percy’ Cole. The first of the series includes The Dagger Before Me and the second, Iced Diamonds.
A stand-alone mystery noir, Death of a Clown, made its debut March 1st, published by The Wives of Bath Press.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 26, 2022
When her cousin's husband goes missing while on a dig in Guatemala, a PI and her supporting crew go play in the jungle. Of course, soon enough there's a murder or two.
Very light hearted, but doesn't shy away from the dangers of living in the jungle.
Very light hearted, but doesn't shy away from the dangers of living in the jungle.
October 4, 2021
No one combines murder and humor better than Heather Haven. This eighth book in the Alvarez Family Mysteries is her best yet. The setting is an archaeological dig site in the Guatemalan jungle. Think Romancing the Stone meets Indiana Jones. The book is fast-paced and fun but also informative about the Mayan civilization. The family dynamic between Lee and her mother always leave me laughing. Highly recommend!
September 22, 2021
Get ready for a wild ride, this book is non-stop from beginning to end. Sure it starts on a calm Sunday morning and escalates quickly when Lee’s husband is called into action to find his cousin’s husband, Martin, who is missing in the Guatemalan jungle. Despite her being an indoor kind of girl, he recruits Lee onto the mission because he senses there is a mystery to solve at the archeological dig where his cousin works. He is of course right. Kidnapping, vandalism, theft, maybe murder? Lee is on a roll pulling together the facts and clues with her “survival trained” CEO mother in tow and her trusty, IT genius brother on the sat phone. The Alvarez Family is on the case. Twists and turns abound leading to a grand reveal that is as humorous as it is serious. I certainly never picked up on all the secrets.
I loved this book.
I chose to read it because I live with a junior archeologist and my daily life is filled with words like stratigraphy, digs, grants, and finds. Plus, there is lecture upon lecture about ancient artifacts, ancient history, and just what it all means (spoiler alert: It’s probably ritual). The fairly recent discoveries of LIDAR enhanced ruins covering the jungles of Central America are of particular interest around here at the moment. This book looked like fun and I am always looking to see if someone writing a story about this stuff gets it right. Heather Haven definitely did.
This is a story of intrigue, backstabbing, and just plain greed and that is just the academics on staff. Once people start dying the story really gets interesting. This book has a large cast of characters, all of them vivid and well written and so perfectly suspect. The relationship between Lee and her mom, Lila, is hilarious. On one hand, Lee is a grown woman who has proven time and again that she is quite capable, yet Lila can reduce her to gibbering incoherence in a single glance. “But, Mom!” is the comedic subtext behind most of their dialogue. Still, the two make a terrific sleuthing team and there is a lot of ground to cover in this tale. In addition to great characters, the description of the look and feel of the jungle and rainforests is spot on and puts the reader right in it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I loved this book.
I chose to read it because I live with a junior archeologist and my daily life is filled with words like stratigraphy, digs, grants, and finds. Plus, there is lecture upon lecture about ancient artifacts, ancient history, and just what it all means (spoiler alert: It’s probably ritual). The fairly recent discoveries of LIDAR enhanced ruins covering the jungles of Central America are of particular interest around here at the moment. This book looked like fun and I am always looking to see if someone writing a story about this stuff gets it right. Heather Haven definitely did.
This is a story of intrigue, backstabbing, and just plain greed and that is just the academics on staff. Once people start dying the story really gets interesting. This book has a large cast of characters, all of them vivid and well written and so perfectly suspect. The relationship between Lee and her mom, Lila, is hilarious. On one hand, Lee is a grown woman who has proven time and again that she is quite capable, yet Lila can reduce her to gibbering incoherence in a single glance. “But, Mom!” is the comedic subtext behind most of their dialogue. Still, the two make a terrific sleuthing team and there is a lot of ground to cover in this tale. In addition to great characters, the description of the look and feel of the jungle and rainforests is spot on and puts the reader right in it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 5 out of 5.
I received an advance review copy for free through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
October 2, 2021
Lea and Gurn travel to the jungles of Guatemala to help find a missing relative. Who at the fabulous archeological site of Mayan tombs had a motive to kidnap or even kill the expedition's leader? There are plenty of suspects. But a great mystery arises when a young man is found dead on the pyramid tomb's steps. But why was he dressed in ancient Mayan garb and why was a yellow poison dart frog in his mouth.
There's a lot more going on at the archaeological dig. Even Indy Jones would be puzzled, but leave it to Lea Alvarez to not only discover the crimes beneath the crimes but who in the party had the motive to kill.
That's all I'll say. As usual, the Alvarez Family provides the reader with plenty of mayhem with Lea Alvarez sitting right in the middle of it--as usual.
Read the whole series. You'll be glad you did.
There's a lot more going on at the archaeological dig. Even Indy Jones would be puzzled, but leave it to Lea Alvarez to not only discover the crimes beneath the crimes but who in the party had the motive to kill.
That's all I'll say. As usual, the Alvarez Family provides the reader with plenty of mayhem with Lea Alvarez sitting right in the middle of it--as usual.
Read the whole series. You'll be glad you did.
November 23, 2022
It really kept me guessing!
This new job is out of the ordinary for Discretionary Investigations (DI), but JJ's husband is missing and there is nothing Gurn and Liana won't do for family. They are off to an archeological dig in the jungle of Guatemala where angry villagers, a god of death, and missing artifacts are an everyday occurrence.
Another excellent book in the series! Plenty of twists, misdirection, and action to keep it interesting and a surprise ending. I really enjoyed it! I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary. It kept me guessing until the end.
This new job is out of the ordinary for Discretionary Investigations (DI), but JJ's husband is missing and there is nothing Gurn and Liana won't do for family. They are off to an archeological dig in the jungle of Guatemala where angry villagers, a god of death, and missing artifacts are an everyday occurrence.
Another excellent book in the series! Plenty of twists, misdirection, and action to keep it interesting and a surprise ending. I really enjoyed it! I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary. It kept me guessing until the end.
December 13, 2021
Again, wow! I love this series of books! Strong characters throughout and they work so well together. They always have such interesting cases! Wasn’t really sure about this book from the title, but it was amazing as well. Highly recommend this series of books.
January 4, 2022
Another great Álvarez family book
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was entertaining as well as educational I even looked up the Almador basin to see if it was a real thing and it is very interesting.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was entertaining as well as educational I even looked up the Almador basin to see if it was a real thing and it is very interesting.
February 3, 2022
Into the Jungle!
Lee, Lila & Gurn are off to the jungle to find his cousin’s lost husband. Little do they know there will be dead bodies & missing ancient relics. As always these mysteries do not disappoint!
Lee, Lila & Gurn are off to the jungle to find his cousin’s lost husband. Little do they know there will be dead bodies & missing ancient relics. As always these mysteries do not disappoint!
February 5, 2022
I hope this isn’t the last one
I really like this series. It is faced paced, twists and turns and of course Lee solves the murder or mystery. This one is set in the Guatemala jungles. Ms Haven I hope there are more coming!
I really like this series. It is faced paced, twists and turns and of course Lee solves the murder or mystery. This one is set in the Guatemala jungles. Ms Haven I hope there are more coming!
May 29, 2022
Entertaing
I haven't read any of this series, but that didn't make a difference. I will be willing to try some because this one was an entertaining read full of mystery and intrigue while being an easy read. I will try other books by Heather Haven.
I haven't read any of this series, but that didn't make a difference. I will be willing to try some because this one was an entertaining read full of mystery and intrigue while being an easy read. I will try other books by Heather Haven.
June 1, 2022
The Drop Dead Temple of Doom
Very interesting and entertaining story about a private investigator who goes to Guatemala to find her husband's cousin's missing husband and gets involved in more than she expected.
Very interesting and entertaining story about a private investigator who goes to Guatemala to find her husband's cousin's missing husband and gets involved in more than she expected.
August 10, 2024
Jungle Fever
Well, didn't think I was going to like this series. So far, I've read through #9. Must have like something.
First, there's a great suspense right to the end. Strong family ties are rare in real life these days. Plus it's funny at the same time!
It's clean, cute and fantastic!
Well, didn't think I was going to like this series. So far, I've read through #9. Must have like something.
First, there's a great suspense right to the end. Strong family ties are rare in real life these days. Plus it's funny at the same time!
It's clean, cute and fantastic!
Read
October 4, 2021Good
What a good book with lots of twists and turns. About the time you think you have it all figured out something else is happening. I plan to read more of this series.
What a good book with lots of twists and turns. About the time you think you have it all figured out something else is happening. I plan to read more of this series.
November 26, 2021
Wonderful history lesson
As always this book held my attention and filled my curiosity. I learned so much about the Mayan culture while being entertained and held in suspense.
As always this book held my attention and filled my curiosity. I learned so much about the Mayan culture while being entertained and held in suspense.
December 6, 2021
A Busy Story!
It was a fun read, with steady excitement, and a pretty decent plot. I'd actually give this book three and one-half stars.
It was a fun read, with steady excitement, and a pretty decent plot. I'd actually give this book three and one-half stars.
January 29, 2022
2021 Best Indie Book Award Winner!
April 10, 2022
Another awesome adventure with Lee and her family!
May 23, 2023
Wonderful story
The author does it again. I almost felt like I was in the jungle while reading. Great characters and fascinating plot!
The author does it again. I almost felt like I was in the jungle while reading. Great characters and fascinating plot!
January 23, 2024
Awesome
I love the characters, Lee I can so relate w .. she's alit like me .. talk b4 u think LOL .. all characters r so real too
I love the characters, Lee I can so relate w .. she's alit like me .. talk b4 u think LOL .. all characters r so real too
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews