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Jim Knighthorse #2
The Mummy Case
Private investigator Jim Knighthorse (from DARK HORSE) takes on a very, very cold case. When historian Willie Clarke dies of mysteriously of dehydration in the California deserts, ex-football hero Jim Knighthorse is hired to dig a little deeper--and discovers a shocking connection to one of the West's oldest mysteries.
Over a hundred years ago, an unnamed cowboy was murdered in the California desert and, due to freak weather conditions, would become mummified within twenty-four hours. Now known to the world as Sylvester the Mummy and displayed in a creepy curiosity shop, Sylvester and historian Willie Clarke will be forever linked in mystery. That is, unless private investigator Jim Knighthorse can survive long enough to untangle one of the West's greatest unsolved murders.
READING SAMPLE
To the east, high on the high cliff above, something flashed. Instinctively, I turned my body, narrowing myself as a target. Beside me, next to my left elbow, a section of the boulder exploded in a small cloud of dust, pelting me with rock fragments. I dove, rolling.
The report from a rifle followed, echoing throughout the valley.
It kept echoing even as I kept rolling.
* * *
I rolled to the relative safety of the boulders, dirt and sand going up my shorts and into places it had no business going.
Worry about sand in your craw later.
Good idea.
The rocks gave some shelter, but not as much as I would have liked as I was forced to stay low to the ground with my face pressed against the hot earth. I removed my Browning, hoping sand hadn’t gotten lodge in the barrel.
A second shot thunked near my shoes. I jerked my exposed legs in closer as an earsplitting echo followed the shot.
Jesus, that was close.
Blindly, I eased my arm around the boulder, let loose with two shots of my own in the general proximity of the spot I had seen the reflection. The two shots were to give the shooter something to think about. I had seven more to be more careful with.
My return fire seemed to work. The shooting from above stopped, at least for the time being. I lay there behind the boulder, trying to make myself as small as possible—a difficult task at best—alert for any sounds or movement.
And then I saw movement, but not the kind I expected....
Over a hundred years ago, an unnamed cowboy was murdered in the California desert and, due to freak weather conditions, would become mummified within twenty-four hours. Now known to the world as Sylvester the Mummy and displayed in a creepy curiosity shop, Sylvester and historian Willie Clarke will be forever linked in mystery. That is, unless private investigator Jim Knighthorse can survive long enough to untangle one of the West's greatest unsolved murders.
READING SAMPLE
To the east, high on the high cliff above, something flashed. Instinctively, I turned my body, narrowing myself as a target. Beside me, next to my left elbow, a section of the boulder exploded in a small cloud of dust, pelting me with rock fragments. I dove, rolling.
The report from a rifle followed, echoing throughout the valley.
It kept echoing even as I kept rolling.
* * *
I rolled to the relative safety of the boulders, dirt and sand going up my shorts and into places it had no business going.
Worry about sand in your craw later.
Good idea.
The rocks gave some shelter, but not as much as I would have liked as I was forced to stay low to the ground with my face pressed against the hot earth. I removed my Browning, hoping sand hadn’t gotten lodge in the barrel.
A second shot thunked near my shoes. I jerked my exposed legs in closer as an earsplitting echo followed the shot.
Jesus, that was close.
Blindly, I eased my arm around the boulder, let loose with two shots of my own in the general proximity of the spot I had seen the reflection. The two shots were to give the shooter something to think about. I had seven more to be more careful with.
My return fire seemed to work. The shooting from above stopped, at least for the time being. I lay there behind the boulder, trying to make myself as small as possible—a difficult task at best—alert for any sounds or movement.
And then I saw movement, but not the kind I expected....
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 22, 2010
287 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Rain
656 books1,727 followersJ.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
November 10, 2011
Okay, I gave it a while, tried again and proved that there's nothing wrong with the book. It was me. Yes I know that sounds soo much like the "it's not you, it's me" speach I used to hear from girls in high school a lot... WAIT... GIVE I meant' give the "it's not you, it's me" speach. Ah, heck.
But I digress
Okay, long story short, (yes, your right, that means less editing, more than it means fewer words), this is another good read in the Jim Knighthorse series. So far J.R.Rain is 2 for 2. This book, in some ways, reminded me of Stanlaw's Kate Shugak. Like Stanbow, Rain has created a wonderfuly complex hero who also reminded my in other ways of Donavan Creed (Lethal People). Knight horse has a dark, dangerous side to him. He doesn't always follow the rules and he doesn't always leave the bad guys to the courts for justice.
Knighthorse is also a functional, drinking alcoholic. I don't know how far J.R. Rain intends to take that side of the story, but he's done a wonderful job of showing what an alcoholic is like. Cravings, denial, lying about his drinking, drinking when he shouldn't be, starting out to have two but not stopping until the fridge is empty, Knight horse runs the gambit. He's also getting worse.
Knighthorse has some haunting memories and we find out he has seen enough traumatic events to be suffering from it. We all need something to self medicate. Left to his own devices he beats up some bad buys and helps his cop buddy get revenge on junior high schoolers by unleashing his 12 year old son on them.
That's just the tip of the iceberg that is his dark side.
On the light side, Knighthorse has a the bruised heart of a Paladin who's been in enough battles to question his faith (too many maybe). He volunteers as a high school football coach to help his old high school mentor and when his girlfriend gets hassled by two stalkers, he takes it upon himself to become her guardian angel. He's sensitive, feeling remorse and kinship with a one hundred year old mummy and vows to solve a murder that everyone else has chalked up as a terrible accident while trying to solve a twenty year cold case, the rape and murder of his mother when he was eleven years old. And, He's good at being a detective.
Throughout the story, Knight horse masks his own vulnerabilities with mock arrogance and feigned conciet. Told in the first person, J.R. Rain lets us inside Knighthorse's head. The wise cracks, some spoken, some thought are funny, and entertaining, but always seem to have a haunting, "gallows humor" quality to them. It's as if Knighthorse trying to make his way through purgatory and still feels the pull of the dark side at war with his battered Dudley Do-Right heart.
The actual crime-mysteries are not particularly difficult, but Rain's black humor is appealing and entertaining. Like Stanbow, the attraction of this book comes from the characters themselves, mostly Knighthorse, more than a complex plot or a lot of action, not that Knighthorse can't kick some butt when he needs to.
The bottom line- This is a solid story, I give it 3 stars because.
The warnings:
1) First and formost, violence. This is not the paddy-cake, paddy-cake baker's man violence from prime time, made for TV Movies. Nor is it the full of nasty, vile tissue descriptions designed to insipire stomach revolt. This violence walks the thinest border of morality between justified injustice and lawful indescression. It also involves children. The descriptions, and the nuts and bolts functionality of the violence in this book are managable at the elder end of the Y.A. range but maybe too much for some people to want to deal with.
Okay, just one warning. There is sexual talk, but those conversations would seem tame compared to the sexual charged "Twilight" Series. Relationship stuff mostly, told in a rather normal and almost gentle way.
Good read.
But I digress
Okay, long story short, (yes, your right, that means less editing, more than it means fewer words), this is another good read in the Jim Knighthorse series. So far J.R.Rain is 2 for 2. This book, in some ways, reminded me of Stanlaw's Kate Shugak. Like Stanbow, Rain has created a wonderfuly complex hero who also reminded my in other ways of Donavan Creed (Lethal People). Knight horse has a dark, dangerous side to him. He doesn't always follow the rules and he doesn't always leave the bad guys to the courts for justice.
Knighthorse is also a functional, drinking alcoholic. I don't know how far J.R. Rain intends to take that side of the story, but he's done a wonderful job of showing what an alcoholic is like. Cravings, denial, lying about his drinking, drinking when he shouldn't be, starting out to have two but not stopping until the fridge is empty, Knight horse runs the gambit. He's also getting worse.
Knighthorse has some haunting memories and we find out he has seen enough traumatic events to be suffering from it. We all need something to self medicate. Left to his own devices he beats up some bad buys and helps his cop buddy get revenge on junior high schoolers by unleashing his 12 year old son on them.
That's just the tip of the iceberg that is his dark side.
On the light side, Knighthorse has a the bruised heart of a Paladin who's been in enough battles to question his faith (too many maybe). He volunteers as a high school football coach to help his old high school mentor and when his girlfriend gets hassled by two stalkers, he takes it upon himself to become her guardian angel. He's sensitive, feeling remorse and kinship with a one hundred year old mummy and vows to solve a murder that everyone else has chalked up as a terrible accident while trying to solve a twenty year cold case, the rape and murder of his mother when he was eleven years old. And, He's good at being a detective.
Throughout the story, Knight horse masks his own vulnerabilities with mock arrogance and feigned conciet. Told in the first person, J.R. Rain lets us inside Knighthorse's head. The wise cracks, some spoken, some thought are funny, and entertaining, but always seem to have a haunting, "gallows humor" quality to them. It's as if Knighthorse trying to make his way through purgatory and still feels the pull of the dark side at war with his battered Dudley Do-Right heart.
The actual crime-mysteries are not particularly difficult, but Rain's black humor is appealing and entertaining. Like Stanbow, the attraction of this book comes from the characters themselves, mostly Knighthorse, more than a complex plot or a lot of action, not that Knighthorse can't kick some butt when he needs to.
The bottom line- This is a solid story, I give it 3 stars because.
The warnings:
1) First and formost, violence. This is not the paddy-cake, paddy-cake baker's man violence from prime time, made for TV Movies. Nor is it the full of nasty, vile tissue descriptions designed to insipire stomach revolt. This violence walks the thinest border of morality between justified injustice and lawful indescression. It also involves children. The descriptions, and the nuts and bolts functionality of the violence in this book are managable at the elder end of the Y.A. range but maybe too much for some people to want to deal with.
Okay, just one warning. There is sexual talk, but those conversations would seem tame compared to the sexual charged "Twilight" Series. Relationship stuff mostly, told in a rather normal and almost gentle way.
Good read.
April 14, 2011
Probably not the best, but it was interesting enough that enjoyed it. I did have to do some googling since the mummy sounded way too familiar. I did find that there is a mummy called Sylvester, which I remember seeing on some tv program or another. And I happen to live in Victorville, and was a former resident of Hesperia, formerly lived near Barstow, as well as Calico Ghost Town. Kinda funny to see the local cities get mentioned in a book. Though, the only ghost town named Rawhide that I can think of is near/in Phoenix (yes, been there, done that...kinda looks as Mr. Rain described his Rawhide).
July 1, 2017
I like Jim Knighthorse. I'd follow him round Waitrose if he lived in Shepherds Bush. Jim is a musclebound ex (American) football player turned Private Eye.
He's got his angst, having not yet been able to solve his mother's murder and has a drink problem which he is struggling to keep a handle on.
Balancing that is a ready wit, a sparkling personality and a tolerant attitude. Although it's not PD James, Rain has created a fascinating world with believable characters and a strong sense of place.
In this second volume Knighthorse is called to the desert to investigate the death of a young researcher who was looking into the mystery of a 100 year old mummy; a body found with shotgun wounds but preserved by the desert's heat and mineral properties.
As side stories, Knighthorse is helping his friend's son Jesus (Knighthorse insists on pronouncing this in the Western Christian way rather than the proper Hey-Zeus, much to the annoyance of the boy's father) track down the individual members of a gang of bullies who beat him up and allow Jesus to exact revenge.
Additionally, his girlfriend, an evolutionist biology lecturer whose name happens to be Darwin, has become the subject of vandalistic attacks by Fundamentalist Christians.
It's a bit of dichotomy in perspective from the first volume where Knighthorse apparently regularly had coffee with God in McDonalds. I read that long before American Gods was on TV, a fact I only mention because I imagined Rain's God to be Ian McShane.
God doesn't appear in this one and Rain, perhaps purposefully, shows no sympathy to the Fundamentalist cause. It's a shrewd touch, since too much God can be a little wearing, particularly for an atheist like me. I'd rather not have it in my escapism, but with Knighthorse I'll make the occasional exception. Ian McShane does God very well and I'm looking forward to reading him again.
It's a short and fast paced piece and quite addictive. It leaves me feeling better about the world and that can only be a good thing.
Will I read more? Oh definitely.
He's got his angst, having not yet been able to solve his mother's murder and has a drink problem which he is struggling to keep a handle on.
Balancing that is a ready wit, a sparkling personality and a tolerant attitude. Although it's not PD James, Rain has created a fascinating world with believable characters and a strong sense of place.
In this second volume Knighthorse is called to the desert to investigate the death of a young researcher who was looking into the mystery of a 100 year old mummy; a body found with shotgun wounds but preserved by the desert's heat and mineral properties.
As side stories, Knighthorse is helping his friend's son Jesus (Knighthorse insists on pronouncing this in the Western Christian way rather than the proper Hey-Zeus, much to the annoyance of the boy's father) track down the individual members of a gang of bullies who beat him up and allow Jesus to exact revenge.
Additionally, his girlfriend, an evolutionist biology lecturer whose name happens to be Darwin, has become the subject of vandalistic attacks by Fundamentalist Christians.
It's a bit of dichotomy in perspective from the first volume where Knighthorse apparently regularly had coffee with God in McDonalds. I read that long before American Gods was on TV, a fact I only mention because I imagined Rain's God to be Ian McShane.
God doesn't appear in this one and Rain, perhaps purposefully, shows no sympathy to the Fundamentalist cause. It's a shrewd touch, since too much God can be a little wearing, particularly for an atheist like me. I'd rather not have it in my escapism, but with Knighthorse I'll make the occasional exception. Ian McShane does God very well and I'm looking forward to reading him again.
It's a short and fast paced piece and quite addictive. It leaves me feeling better about the world and that can only be a good thing.
Will I read more? Oh definitely.
September 19, 2021
Just finished book #2 THE MUMMY CASE in the Jim Knighthorse series and was floored to the every end. Fall in love with this big sexy ex football player turned hot big sexy Private Detective, as he follows clues to two murders that took place in the desert were the first murder was done two decades ago and the new one that involves a young Historian who was looking into the killing of a miner back in the 1800 - 1888 era. Alone with threats, helping a ex football friend and his son out with some billy's and protecting his girl friend from crazy ex-students. But mostly he is looking very very hard in finding his Mothers killer which he now has 3 pictures of said person. At the end he finds out who was stalking Cindy ( girlfriend ) , delivered some sad news the parents of the victim that murdered the Historical and is very close to the truth of his mothers death.
December 27, 2019
An interesting plot, identifying a long dead mummified corpse. Add to that a couple of right-wing nut jobs upset with Knighthorse's girlfriend and harassing her. The story moves along reasonably quickly although the author occasionally takes non-sequitur forays into things unrelated to the story. This series is marginally better than the Vampire For Hire series in that the unrelated sojourns are brief. The main underlying focus of the three book series is the unresolved murder of Knighthorse's mother, many years ago. The big surprise reveal of the killer at the end of the book was actually ruined by the author who telegraphed the entire thing in the middle of the book. I found that completely annoying.
June 11, 2020
I loved the first Jim Knighthorse book so much I turned around and bought this one the next day. Like the first one, I loved the wit, charm, and humor of the main character. I look forward to his friends and girlfriend becoming a bit more fully realized, but Jim's cop friend Sanchez is undeniably a great match for him. He's no Hawk, but Parker's "Spencer" series is a pretty high bar to meet. There are a few inconsistencies from the first book, and there's one truly interesting character who is missing altogether, but all in all this one was such a delight I bought the next two as well.
I look forward to more Jim Knighthorse books to come!
P.S. This book cover is also pretty goofy - wth?
I look forward to more Jim Knighthorse books to come!
P.S. This book cover is also pretty goofy - wth?
December 30, 2018
The Jim Knighthorse character is growing on me. He is smart, irreverent and fighting a drinking problem. He is able to solve cases easily except the one that has haunted him all his life -- who killed his mother. This book picks up 6 months later when he is hired to find out what really happened to a young historian hired to discover information about a mummy named Sylvester who is on display at a shop and part of local lore. The young man died of dehydration having been lost in the desert. The story keeps you in suspense until the resolution.
May 11, 2020
Jim Knighthorse is back for a second try.
He's dropped his attempt to make it to the NFL and is concentrating solely on his PI business.
Knighthorse is drawn into intrigue around a century=old mummified corpse that was found in the California desert. He's asked to investigate the death of a young researcher who had been looking into the corpse.
And he figures he might as well solve the 100-year-old case, too.
This is the weakest of the series which gets a lot of strength from God, who is markedly missing this time around.
He's dropped his attempt to make it to the NFL and is concentrating solely on his PI business.
Knighthorse is drawn into intrigue around a century=old mummified corpse that was found in the California desert. He's asked to investigate the death of a young researcher who had been looking into the corpse.
And he figures he might as well solve the 100-year-old case, too.
This is the weakest of the series which gets a lot of strength from God, who is markedly missing this time around.
November 23, 2025
Can't wait for book 3!!!
It is so refreshing to read an author who makes every character interesting and includes several plot twists. Of course Jim, the main character steals the show. I've chuckled more than a few times while reading and must admit, it isn't just the snappy wit that is captivating but also the underlying moral code. There's something attractive about bad people meeting their karma. J.R. Rain will keep you engaged until the mystery is solved. Warning : these books are hard to put down!!!
It is so refreshing to read an author who makes every character interesting and includes several plot twists. Of course Jim, the main character steals the show. I've chuckled more than a few times while reading and must admit, it isn't just the snappy wit that is captivating but also the underlying moral code. There's something attractive about bad people meeting their karma. J.R. Rain will keep you engaged until the mystery is solved. Warning : these books are hard to put down!!!
October 10, 2017
This is a good, quick read for a rainy day. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing is efficient and effective. No extraneous words and quite funny. Even the bad guys make you laugh. Jim Knighthorse is witty and in love with himself and his girlfriend, but not enough to stop drinking. He's looking for justice, I think, not only for other people but for his mother. And maybe peace of mind.
Good story, well written. I kind of want to read another one.
Good story, well written. I kind of want to read another one.
July 23, 2018
3 or 4 mysteries in one book..!!
Who is the mummy found in the desert over 100 years ago, who killed him, and why?
Was the death of a young historian researching the mummy an accident, or was he killed?
Who is vandalizing Jim's girlfriend, Cindy's office and why?
Is Jim getting any closer to solving his own mother's murder?
Jim has a lot on his plate this story, all of this, plus more, makes for a fast paced, can't put it down book!
Who is the mummy found in the desert over 100 years ago, who killed him, and why?
Was the death of a young historian researching the mummy an accident, or was he killed?
Who is vandalizing Jim's girlfriend, Cindy's office and why?
Is Jim getting any closer to solving his own mother's murder?
Jim has a lot on his plate this story, all of this, plus more, makes for a fast paced, can't put it down book!
August 29, 2019
A JRR. Murder Mystery Action Adventure (TMC) (JKB. - 2)
JRR. has penned a murder mystery action adventure with a desert setting. A very desert setting. JK. Is out in the desert near Barstow checking his conclusions about a mummified body that had recently been found. Through did diligence he identified the mummy, the man who killed the researcher and as an after thought identified the stalkers of his lady friend. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
JRR. has penned a murder mystery action adventure with a desert setting. A very desert setting. JK. Is out in the desert near Barstow checking his conclusions about a mummified body that had recently been found. Through did diligence he identified the mummy, the man who killed the researcher and as an after thought identified the stalkers of his lady friend. This is an excellent read for the genre.....DEHS
March 3, 2020
My kind of humour.
I'm new to Mr Rain. This is the 2nd book in the series that I have read. Jim is a Private Investigator. His investigatory powers very good ✔. His love life very good ✔. His sense of humour cracks me up. This laugh out loud read plus the fact I want to find out what he's going to do about his very own personal cold case, his mum's murder will take me straight to his next book. He's good, very good. Thank you J. R. Rain.
I'm new to Mr Rain. This is the 2nd book in the series that I have read. Jim is a Private Investigator. His investigatory powers very good ✔. His love life very good ✔. His sense of humour cracks me up. This laugh out loud read plus the fact I want to find out what he's going to do about his very own personal cold case, his mum's murder will take me straight to his next book. He's good, very good. Thank you J. R. Rain.
November 30, 2025
I have just read the first 2 Jim Knighthorse books and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Jim is a wise cracking private investigator who is larger than life but with many flaws. I have read a few of J R Rains books and I like his style of writing. It flows so well and draws you into the story and its characters. He also wrote one of my favourite books " Elvis has not left the building " which is part of a 9 book collection which I would recommend anyone to buy.
July 20, 2017
A Real Page-Turner
J.R. Rain does it again in book 2 of the Jim Knighthorse series. I had trouble putting this one down. It moved at a faster pace than the first book by juggling and solving four mysteries. I really enjoyed it and I'm not even a big football fan. (Go Lions!?).
J.R. Rain does it again in book 2 of the Jim Knighthorse series. I had trouble putting this one down. It moved at a faster pace than the first book by juggling and solving four mysteries. I really enjoyed it and I'm not even a big football fan. (Go Lions!?).
August 16, 2018
Another good story
Jim Knighthorse is an irreverent private investigator. He has a dry humor as he approaches his cases. Yes, there is a mummy that was found in the Mohave Desert. Jim is asked to find out who killed the last person investigating the mummy. Interesting read.
Jim Knighthorse is an irreverent private investigator. He has a dry humor as he approaches his cases. Yes, there is a mummy that was found in the Mohave Desert. Jim is asked to find out who killed the last person investigating the mummy. Interesting read.
March 1, 2019
Not bad
Could have been longer. Same great characters, minus the homeless man "God" . The story was interesting, trying to solve two deaths a recent one and a 100 year old one. I would have liked the homeless man make his rounds in the story. On to book 3. ☺
Could have been longer. Same great characters, minus the homeless man "God" . The story was interesting, trying to solve two deaths a recent one and a 100 year old one. I would have liked the homeless man make his rounds in the story. On to book 3. ☺
December 25, 2017
Quick, fun, interesting. What more do you need from a book?
May 28, 2018
Engrossing!
Love Knighthorse. Looking forward to the next book and seeing what interesting case he ends up on and what happens regarding his mother.
Love Knighthorse. Looking forward to the next book and seeing what interesting case he ends up on and what happens regarding his mother.
September 17, 2018
On book
This book was kind of boring. Not enough excitement. I would recommend this book to family members and friends maybe.
This book was kind of boring. Not enough excitement. I would recommend this book to family members and friends maybe.
September 28, 2018
Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end.
March 2, 2019
A very good book, look forward to the next.
March 24, 2020
Mummies and vandals
Another good series of detective stories. Jim Seems to have fun even when he's being shot at by who knows.
Another good series of detective stories. Jim Seems to have fun even when he's being shot at by who knows.
February 17, 2021
Good beach reed
Nothing special but good and Easy read, some cliches but not very offensit. Probably will read his books if they are free, better than what Amazon recommends me
Nothing special but good and Easy read, some cliches but not very offensit. Probably will read his books if they are free, better than what Amazon recommends me
May 21, 2021
Jim
The Mummy Case by J.R.Rain is a funny and enjoyable story. I really enjoy the writings Knighthorse. Sharing in solving the case.
The Mummy Case by J.R.Rain is a funny and enjoyable story. I really enjoy the writings Knighthorse. Sharing in solving the case.
December 21, 2021
This was a pretty short read. It was pretty good. The quips and sarcasm of the main character are good.
November 7, 2022
Excellent Read!!
July 12, 2025
Too Short!
For me to read a book in less than 24hrs, it's too short! But very good. Enough mystery and suspense to keep me interested. So, on to the next. Thanks JR Rain.
For me to read a book in less than 24hrs, it's too short! But very good. Enough mystery and suspense to keep me interested. So, on to the next. Thanks JR Rain.
January 22, 2024
This is a 3.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 4 🌟.
Not as good as the first in the series, but entertaining nonetheless. I really missed "God" in this story; he was really a quite fascinating character.
Not as good as the first in the series, but entertaining nonetheless. I really missed "God" in this story; he was really a quite fascinating character.
April 10, 2013
The Mummy Case is the second of the Jim Knighthorse series. Once again, I find J.R. Rain's writing highly entertaining, like listening to the story told directly from his voice. Jim Knighthorse is very definitely my new book character boyfriend. If I could meet a character from a book, as of right now - it would totally be him. Snarky, dry wit, uber-confidence, 'it's hard to be me attitude' and fearlessness combined with his softer side - his love for Cindy and his late Mother, fear of spiders, admitted problem drinking, (and in the next book which I've already started - seasickness and the way he takes care of the cute little elderly woman at no charge!) all combines and creates THE most perfect IMperfect man!
Left out this time was God. I was disappointed with this until I found out that God shows up again in the next installment, Hail Mary. Since these books are shorter novelettes, I liked the idea of 'jogging' God and other ongoing issues throughout the series, seeing some things focused on then put aside for a while. Brilliant writing, keeps us wanting but not long enough to forget what it was we liked and missed.
The mystery this time was regarding a mummy found in the desert years before. The mummy had been found 25 years before in the desert, and after being moved around from place to place found his home at the Olde Curiousity Shoppe (with the extra p's and e's). The owner of the shop was looking for entertaining attention, advertising through public interest. Thus he hires a kid - a recent history grad, to find out the story of the John Doe mummy thought to have been killed over 100 years ago. The hired kid ends up dead in the desert too, and the dude wants answers. Thus he seeks to hire - our hero to the rescue...Jim Knighthorse, to find out what really happened to his hired historian. Unique idea. I knew Jim would find the real story on the kid, but I didn't have much hope for his finding out the identity of the mummy and how he happened to be shot and left in the desert to die. You have to read it to find out what happens there...
Jim's decision to give up his quest for the NFL is followed by his participation in volunteer asst coaching at his old high school. This only added appeal to Jim Knighthorse for me, because though he loves to think of himself at all times, he has a heart and he does plenty for others where he can - not really behavior of a TRUE self-centered egotist. The egotism is an act and it SO works.
Once again, I obviously LOVED this book and award it with another well deserved 5 star rating.
Left out this time was God. I was disappointed with this until I found out that God shows up again in the next installment, Hail Mary. Since these books are shorter novelettes, I liked the idea of 'jogging' God and other ongoing issues throughout the series, seeing some things focused on then put aside for a while. Brilliant writing, keeps us wanting but not long enough to forget what it was we liked and missed.
The mystery this time was regarding a mummy found in the desert years before. The mummy had been found 25 years before in the desert, and after being moved around from place to place found his home at the Olde Curiousity Shoppe (with the extra p's and e's). The owner of the shop was looking for entertaining attention, advertising through public interest. Thus he hires a kid - a recent history grad, to find out the story of the John Doe mummy thought to have been killed over 100 years ago. The hired kid ends up dead in the desert too, and the dude wants answers. Thus he seeks to hire - our hero to the rescue...Jim Knighthorse, to find out what really happened to his hired historian. Unique idea. I knew Jim would find the real story on the kid, but I didn't have much hope for his finding out the identity of the mummy and how he happened to be shot and left in the desert to die. You have to read it to find out what happens there...
Jim's decision to give up his quest for the NFL is followed by his participation in volunteer asst coaching at his old high school. This only added appeal to Jim Knighthorse for me, because though he loves to think of himself at all times, he has a heart and he does plenty for others where he can - not really behavior of a TRUE self-centered egotist. The egotism is an act and it SO works.
Once again, I obviously LOVED this book and award it with another well deserved 5 star rating.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews