What do you think?
Rate this book
Faye Longchamp #3
Effigies
2007 - Florida Book Award Bronze Medal Winner
"As an archeological tour alone the book would be worth reading, but it's the fascinating and complex characters that give the story life and vibrancy." —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author
Faye Longchamp and Joe Wolf Mantooth have traveled to Neshoba County, Mississippi, to help excavate a site near Nanih Waiya, the sacred mound where tradition says the Choctaw nation was born. When farmer Carroll Calhoun refuses the archaeologists' request to investigate an ancient Native American mound, Faye and her colleagues are disappointed. But his next action breaks their he tries to bulldoze the huge relic to the ground.
Later Calhoun is found dead, his throat sliced with a handmade stone blade. Was he killed by an archaeologist angered by his wanton destruction of history? Did a Choctaw take up arms to defend an embattled heritage? Did someone decide to even the score with an old rival?
"As an archeological tour alone the book would be worth reading, but it's the fascinating and complex characters that give the story life and vibrancy." —Rhys Bowen, New York Times bestselling author
Faye Longchamp and Joe Wolf Mantooth have traveled to Neshoba County, Mississippi, to help excavate a site near Nanih Waiya, the sacred mound where tradition says the Choctaw nation was born. When farmer Carroll Calhoun refuses the archaeologists' request to investigate an ancient Native American mound, Faye and her colleagues are disappointed. But his next action breaks their he tries to bulldoze the huge relic to the ground.
Later Calhoun is found dead, his throat sliced with a handmade stone blade. Was he killed by an archaeologist angered by his wanton destruction of history? Did a Choctaw take up arms to defend an embattled heritage? Did someone decide to even the score with an old rival?
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
117 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
Mary Anna Evans
36 books458 followersMary Anna Evans is an award-winning author, a writing professor, and she holds degrees in physics and engineering, a background that, as it turns out, is ideal for writing her new book, The Physicists' Daughter. Set in WWII-era New Orleans, The Physicists' Daughter introduces Justine Byrne, whom Mary Anna describes as "a little bit Rosie-the-Riveter and a little bit Bletchley Park codebreaker."
When Justine, the daughter of two physicists who taught her things girls weren't expected to know in 1944, realizes that her boss isn't telling her the truth about the work she does in her factory job, she draws on the legacy of her unconventional upbringing to keep her division running and protect her coworkers, her country, and herself from a war that is suddenly very close to home.
Her crime fiction has earned recognition that includes the Oklahoma Book Award, the Will Rogers Medallion Awards Gold Medal, the Mississippi Author Award, a spot on Voice of Young America’s (VOYA) list of “Adult Mysteries with Young Adult Appeal,” a writer’s residency from The Studios of Key West, the Benjamin Franklin Award, the Florida Historical Society’s Patrick D. Smith Florida Literature Award, and three Florida Book Awards bronze medals.
In addition to writing crime fiction, she writes about crime fiction, as evidenced by the upcoming Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie, which she coedited with J.D Bernthal.
For the incurably curious, Mary Anna’s first published work, her master’s thesis, was entitled A Modeling Study of the NH3-NO-O2 Reaction Under the Operating Conditions of a Fluidized Bed Combustor. Like her mysteries, it was a factually based page-turner but, no, it’s not available online.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryAnnaEvan...
Twitter: @maryannaevans
Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/maryannaevans/
BookBub: @maryannaevans
When Justine, the daughter of two physicists who taught her things girls weren't expected to know in 1944, realizes that her boss isn't telling her the truth about the work she does in her factory job, she draws on the legacy of her unconventional upbringing to keep her division running and protect her coworkers, her country, and herself from a war that is suddenly very close to home.
Her crime fiction has earned recognition that includes the Oklahoma Book Award, the Will Rogers Medallion Awards Gold Medal, the Mississippi Author Award, a spot on Voice of Young America’s (VOYA) list of “Adult Mysteries with Young Adult Appeal,” a writer’s residency from The Studios of Key West, the Benjamin Franklin Award, the Florida Historical Society’s Patrick D. Smith Florida Literature Award, and three Florida Book Awards bronze medals.
In addition to writing crime fiction, she writes about crime fiction, as evidenced by the upcoming Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie, which she coedited with J.D Bernthal.
For the incurably curious, Mary Anna’s first published work, her master’s thesis, was entitled A Modeling Study of the NH3-NO-O2 Reaction Under the Operating Conditions of a Fluidized Bed Combustor. Like her mysteries, it was a factually based page-turner but, no, it’s not available online.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaryAnnaEvan...
Twitter: @maryannaevans
Instagram :https://www.instagram.com/maryannaevans/
BookBub: @maryannaevans
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 20, 2022
When farmer Carroll Calhoun refuses their request to investigate an ancient Native American mound, Faye and her colleagues are disappointed, but his next action breaks their hearts: he tries to bulldoze the huge relic to the ground. The fact that the local Choctaw tribe had its origins in that area and considered much of the land sacred didn't matter to him at all. The next night he's found murdered, with his throat cut by a Choctaw artifact.
The characters in Effigies were completely believable and the story had a quick pace. The Choctaw stories, as told by one of the local residents, were wonderful to read. The twists and turns in Effigies kept me on my toes! Just when I thought I had everything figured out, I found I didn't! I've been interested in archeology for a long time and this book gave me my "fix" but it also gave me a peek into some things about Native American history and also to race relations that I was unaware of.
Following the main text, the author answers some historic and scientific questions. My fav was when she wrote: "One cave in Mississippi was formed by cows licking at a rock outcropping with a high salt content. I know you're picturing a shallow depression in the ground, but no. This cave is the size of my bedroom and it was dug with cow tongues. Let's all think about that for a moment ... no, wait. Let's not." Hilarious! I would love to meet Ms. Evans!!
The characters in Effigies were completely believable and the story had a quick pace. The Choctaw stories, as told by one of the local residents, were wonderful to read. The twists and turns in Effigies kept me on my toes! Just when I thought I had everything figured out, I found I didn't! I've been interested in archeology for a long time and this book gave me my "fix" but it also gave me a peek into some things about Native American history and also to race relations that I was unaware of.
Following the main text, the author answers some historic and scientific questions. My fav was when she wrote: "One cave in Mississippi was formed by cows licking at a rock outcropping with a high salt content. I know you're picturing a shallow depression in the ground, but no. This cave is the size of my bedroom and it was dug with cow tongues. Let's all think about that for a moment ... no, wait. Let's not." Hilarious! I would love to meet Ms. Evans!!
September 28, 2018
After finishing this a couple of days ago, I got lazy about reviewing it. Real life and all that. Anyway, I liked this book every bit as much as the first two in the series, perhaps a little more. At least my tear ducts claim it was teetering on the edge of five starry-ness, so I just pushed it over. Yeah, there was one spot where, wow. I won't give it away. Anyway, I'm going to keep going with this series.
At the opening of this book, Faye has taken another field-work assignment under a different prof, this time in Mississippi, and Joe is working with her as well. This other prof is not very methodical, and frankly kind of annoying, so she has her work cut out for her.
Like the previous books in the series, this is more than just simple murder/mystery genre fiction. It's pretty "literary" too. Yes, mysteries and murders occur, but there are also archaeology, history, race relations, philosophy, and even a bit of love interest. There are notes and a teaching guide at the end, which contextualize the setting.
The writing is ultra-solid. Student novelists: take note. The editing and copy-editing are both impeccable. Again I found no typographical errors in the book. It's apparently as spotless as the driven snow.
Full disclosure, since I'm dishing out all possible stars: I don't know the author. I paid the modest full retail price for this book, and it's worth every penny.
At the opening of this book, Faye has taken another field-work assignment under a different prof, this time in Mississippi, and Joe is working with her as well. This other prof is not very methodical, and frankly kind of annoying, so she has her work cut out for her.
Like the previous books in the series, this is more than just simple murder/mystery genre fiction. It's pretty "literary" too. Yes, mysteries and murders occur, but there are also archaeology, history, race relations, philosophy, and even a bit of love interest. There are notes and a teaching guide at the end, which contextualize the setting.
The writing is ultra-solid. Student novelists: take note. The editing and copy-editing are both impeccable. Again I found no typographical errors in the book. It's apparently as spotless as the driven snow.
Full disclosure, since I'm dishing out all possible stars: I don't know the author. I paid the modest full retail price for this book, and it's worth every penny.
January 20, 2015
She creates a vivid archeological dig, that is both realistic in theme and nature. The characters are 3-dimensional with outside interests other than the plot, there are misleading clues as well as hidden agendas. I so wish many writers would take the time to craft such a well-written, thought-out plot.
Place is important and can be a character in and of itself. In Effigies, place is very important but doesn't overshadow the characters, rather, becomes impetus for their actions (or lack thereof). Why is the mound so important to so many? What happened out in the field? Why is the river so important? As the readers delve further into the book, more and more history of the region that Mary creates or brings forth, becomes crystal clear. Nothing written is ever wasted.
Mary also continues the friendship/close relationship between Faye and Joe. It's complicated, deep and moving. Are they a couple, unbeknownst to Faye? Does she realize she loves Joe? Mary shows how confused Joe is, about his heritage and wanting to fit in with other people. Conflicted emotions are shown and well thought out.
I loved Effigies and give a hearty 5-stars.
Place is important and can be a character in and of itself. In Effigies, place is very important but doesn't overshadow the characters, rather, becomes impetus for their actions (or lack thereof). Why is the mound so important to so many? What happened out in the field? Why is the river so important? As the readers delve further into the book, more and more history of the region that Mary creates or brings forth, becomes crystal clear. Nothing written is ever wasted.
Mary also continues the friendship/close relationship between Faye and Joe. It's complicated, deep and moving. Are they a couple, unbeknownst to Faye? Does she realize she loves Joe? Mary shows how confused Joe is, about his heritage and wanting to fit in with other people. Conflicted emotions are shown and well thought out.
I loved Effigies and give a hearty 5-stars.
December 24, 2014
This book brought up so many viewpoints on archeological exploration, that of the government, native tribes, scholars and landowners. And a raging war was fought, with surprising twists and turns, from the first page. I dearly love the challenge of researching facts brought up by an author, and it wasn't but a few chapters in when I looked up Poverty Point, the prehistoric earthworks shaped like an amphitheater, in Louisiana. After this, the third in the series, I feel I could make my way around a site with a trowel and paintbrush with the best of the team. As for the denouement, pffft! Sure didn't see THAT coming. This series is the bomb. On to number four!
September 23, 2022
Here's another archaeological mystery from Mary Anna Evans featuring archaeologist Faye Longchamp and her Native American friend and associate Joe Wolf Mantooth. This one takes place in Mississippi in Neshoba County where the great Nanih Waiya mound is located. Choctaw tradition says that this is the mound from which their nation and people sprang.
Faye and her team hope to excavate a nearby mound but the farmer who owns the property refuses to give his permission. Not only does he refuse to allow excavation, but he also takes a bulldozer and attempts to level the mound.
Faye and her associates as well as the local Choctaw people rush to defend the mound and the farmer's neighbors line up with him to press his rights as the property's owner. A standoff ensues and the young sheriff of the county is caught in the middle.
Things then take an even more serious - and deadly - turn. That night the farmer is found murdered. His throat had been sliced by a stone blade. Was his attempt to destroy the mound a motive for his murder and did an archaeologist do it? Or was the reason for his murder totally unrelated to the current controversy over the mound? Instead of a standoff over property rights and the demands of archaeology, the sheriff now has to deal with murder.
Interspersed among the telling of this modern-day story are traditional Choctaw stories as told by a local resident. I found this to be the most interesting part of the tale. It blended well into the more current events and gave some added perspective to them.
I very much like the characters created by Mary Ann Evans, particularly Faye and Joe. Their personalities and relationship are very believable. Moreover, Evans' description of the community and its residents and attitudes toward the mound are all quite realistic. I grew up in such a community with mounds like these and I could relate very easily to the situation as described.
The twists of the plot are sufficient to keep the reader guessing and just when you think you have it all figured out there is another twist and you realize that maybe you don't. This was the third entry in this series. I had read and enjoyed the two earlier books and now I look forward to reading the later ones. It is an interesting and well-written series.
Faye and her team hope to excavate a nearby mound but the farmer who owns the property refuses to give his permission. Not only does he refuse to allow excavation, but he also takes a bulldozer and attempts to level the mound.
Faye and her associates as well as the local Choctaw people rush to defend the mound and the farmer's neighbors line up with him to press his rights as the property's owner. A standoff ensues and the young sheriff of the county is caught in the middle.
Things then take an even more serious - and deadly - turn. That night the farmer is found murdered. His throat had been sliced by a stone blade. Was his attempt to destroy the mound a motive for his murder and did an archaeologist do it? Or was the reason for his murder totally unrelated to the current controversy over the mound? Instead of a standoff over property rights and the demands of archaeology, the sheriff now has to deal with murder.
Interspersed among the telling of this modern-day story are traditional Choctaw stories as told by a local resident. I found this to be the most interesting part of the tale. It blended well into the more current events and gave some added perspective to them.
I very much like the characters created by Mary Ann Evans, particularly Faye and Joe. Their personalities and relationship are very believable. Moreover, Evans' description of the community and its residents and attitudes toward the mound are all quite realistic. I grew up in such a community with mounds like these and I could relate very easily to the situation as described.
The twists of the plot are sufficient to keep the reader guessing and just when you think you have it all figured out there is another twist and you realize that maybe you don't. This was the third entry in this series. I had read and enjoyed the two earlier books and now I look forward to reading the later ones. It is an interesting and well-written series.
March 8, 2022
"Faye Longchamp and Joe Wolf Mantooth have traveled to Neshoba County, Mississippi, to help excavate a site near Nanih Waiya, the sacred mound where tradition says the Choctaw nation was born. When farmer Carroll Calhoun refuses the archaeologists' request to investigate an ancient Native American mound, Faye and her colleagues are disappointed. But his next action breaks their hearts: he tried to bulldoze the huge relic to the ground.
"Faye and Joe rush to protect history with their bodies, if necessary. The situation grows more dangerous as Choctaws arrive to defend the mound and the farmer's white and black neighbors come to defend his property rights. A popular young sheriff is able to defuse the situation, but tempers are short.
"That night, Calhoun is found dead, his throat sliced with a handmade stone blade. Was he killed by an archaeologist angered by his wanton destruction of history? Did a Choctaw take up arms to defend an embattled heritage? Did someone decide to even the score with an old rival?
"The sheriff is well aware that Faye and Joe were near the spot where Calhoun's body was found. The whole county saw their confrontation with him over the mound. And their combined knowledge of stone tools is impressive. They had motive, means, and opportunity -- but so did almost everyone in Neshoba County."
~~front & back flaps
Another interesting archaeological dig, overwhelmed by the mystery surrounding it. As the perpetrator becomes more & more obvious, so does the danger to Faye & Joe, and the young black archaeologist Oka Hofobi. Another nail biter, indeed.
And another almost romance between Faye and the good looking, smooth talking Ross Donnelly. And another tiny hint of romance between Faye & Joe. What will happen? Read the next book to find out!
"Faye and Joe rush to protect history with their bodies, if necessary. The situation grows more dangerous as Choctaws arrive to defend the mound and the farmer's white and black neighbors come to defend his property rights. A popular young sheriff is able to defuse the situation, but tempers are short.
"That night, Calhoun is found dead, his throat sliced with a handmade stone blade. Was he killed by an archaeologist angered by his wanton destruction of history? Did a Choctaw take up arms to defend an embattled heritage? Did someone decide to even the score with an old rival?
"The sheriff is well aware that Faye and Joe were near the spot where Calhoun's body was found. The whole county saw their confrontation with him over the mound. And their combined knowledge of stone tools is impressive. They had motive, means, and opportunity -- but so did almost everyone in Neshoba County."
~~front & back flaps
Another interesting archaeological dig, overwhelmed by the mystery surrounding it. As the perpetrator becomes more & more obvious, so does the danger to Faye & Joe, and the young black archaeologist Oka Hofobi. Another nail biter, indeed.
And another almost romance between Faye and the good looking, smooth talking Ross Donnelly. And another tiny hint of romance between Faye & Joe. What will happen? Read the next book to find out!
December 16, 2018
Excellent, gripping story! Faye Longchamp and her friend, Joe Mantooth are on another archaeological dig in rural Mississippi when there is a murder of a local, racial tensions and divisions with local Choctaw Indians not happy with their dig. And to top all of this excitement, Faye May have stumbled upon a truly amazing historical find, if she is not killed first!
May 22, 2015
Faye and Joe are off on another archaeological adventure in the Deep South, this time as assistants on one of Faye's grad school professor's summer digs in Mississippi. They are supposed to be excavating on the property of their Choctaw co-worker's family, but all of the archaeologists on the team are more interested in what appears to be an old Indian mound on the property of the farm across the road. They give up on it after a run-in with the property owner, but when a local farmer turns up murdered near the mound, and the sovereign nation of the Choctaws expresses their concern about what might happen to it, and an aging former Senator comes back to his hometown and announces a terrible thing that happened to him 40 years ago, and everything seems tied together...Faye can't seem to help but get herself and Joe in deep trying to put all the pieces together.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the two previous books, but it was still a lot of fun. The negatives for me were: too much of Faye observing how attractive Joe is (this has been mentioned in previous books, but it was mentioned A LOT in this one, seemingly at least once per chapter); too many weirdly inconsistent details changed between scenes (At one point, Joe and Faye make plans to meet someone the next day at their dig site, and then in the next section, they are meeting him back at their hotel instead. There's a throwaway sentence explaining it, but it bugged me - either go back and rewrite so they plan to meet at the hotel if it's important for them to be there, or just have them meet at the dig site. Stuff like that happened a few other times.); and I knew who the murderer was halfway through the book, long before Faye did. Even so, I still love the history and archaeological details in the book - and it had a bonus guide at the end with some more information about the history and the author's research, which was fun to hear. I still enjoy Faye's company and personality, and I never wanted to stop listening to the book. I'm going to take a little break just to make the Faye books last a little longer, but I'll be back on book 4 before too long!
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the two previous books, but it was still a lot of fun. The negatives for me were: too much of Faye observing how attractive Joe is (this has been mentioned in previous books, but it was mentioned A LOT in this one, seemingly at least once per chapter); too many weirdly inconsistent details changed between scenes (At one point, Joe and Faye make plans to meet someone the next day at their dig site, and then in the next section, they are meeting him back at their hotel instead. There's a throwaway sentence explaining it, but it bugged me - either go back and rewrite so they plan to meet at the hotel if it's important for them to be there, or just have them meet at the dig site. Stuff like that happened a few other times.); and I knew who the murderer was halfway through the book, long before Faye did. Even so, I still love the history and archaeological details in the book - and it had a bonus guide at the end with some more information about the history and the author's research, which was fun to hear. I still enjoy Faye's company and personality, and I never wanted to stop listening to the book. I'm going to take a little break just to make the Faye books last a little longer, but I'll be back on book 4 before too long!
May 20, 2014
A good mystery, this story (#3 in the Faye Longchamp archaeologist series) is a little dry at first, but really takes off as the story progresses.
Effigies, set in Neshoba County, MS, finds Faye and friend, Joe Wolf Mantooth excavating a site near Nanih Waiya, the sacred mound where tradition says the Choctaw nation was born. When farmer Carroll Calhoun refuses archaeologists' request to investigate an ancient Native American mound, Faye and her colleagues are disappointed, but when he tries to bulldoze the mound, things get dangerous!
The archaeologists (Faye & Joe included) rush to protect the mound and this important piece of history, Choctaws arrive to protect the mound and the farmer's white and black neighbors come to defend his property rights. Tempers flare, but thankfully, a young sheriff is able to defuse the situation, for now.
That night, Calhoun is found dead! Who did it? Everybody had means, motive and opportunity, including Faye & Joe.
Effigies, set in Neshoba County, MS, finds Faye and friend, Joe Wolf Mantooth excavating a site near Nanih Waiya, the sacred mound where tradition says the Choctaw nation was born. When farmer Carroll Calhoun refuses archaeologists' request to investigate an ancient Native American mound, Faye and her colleagues are disappointed, but when he tries to bulldoze the mound, things get dangerous!
The archaeologists (Faye & Joe included) rush to protect the mound and this important piece of history, Choctaws arrive to protect the mound and the farmer's white and black neighbors come to defend his property rights. Tempers flare, but thankfully, a young sheriff is able to defuse the situation, for now.
That night, Calhoun is found dead! Who did it? Everybody had means, motive and opportunity, including Faye & Joe.
May 5, 2020
AUTHOR Evans, Mary Anna
TITLE Effigies
DATE READ 05/04/20
RATING 4.5/B+
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Crime Fiction/2007/hoopla-audio/11 hr 9 min
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #3 Faye Longchamp
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 82/120;
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 2007 / MS
CHARACTERS Faye Longchamp/ archaeologist
COMMENTS This is a great series … and it has been sometime since I have visited. In this outing Faye and her group of archaeologists are in MS. There is an ancient Native American Mound of interest on a farmer's land. He does not want anyone bothering with his land. When he is murdered shortly after a disagreement with the archaeological group … it is possible one of them is at fault but this area has had deep racial and land rights/usage issues that also come into play. Looking forward to the next entry.
TITLE Effigies
DATE READ 05/04/20
RATING 4.5/B+
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Crime Fiction/2007/hoopla-audio/11 hr 9 min
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #3 Faye Longchamp
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 82/120;
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 2007 / MS
CHARACTERS Faye Longchamp/ archaeologist
COMMENTS This is a great series … and it has been sometime since I have visited. In this outing Faye and her group of archaeologists are in MS. There is an ancient Native American Mound of interest on a farmer's land. He does not want anyone bothering with his land. When he is murdered shortly after a disagreement with the archaeological group … it is possible one of them is at fault but this area has had deep racial and land rights/usage issues that also come into play. Looking forward to the next entry.
August 28, 2017
In this book, Faye is still trying to discover what she wants to do with her life. She cares for and depends on Joe much more than she realizes yet. They are good for each other. He is extremely intelligent, especially in nature, but has deficiencies with book learning.
In this book, Faye Longchamp and Joe Wolf Mantooth join an archaeological team in Mississippi researching Choctaw heritage. Their work did not produce the artifacts they had hoped to find. But a racial mystery from years past was solved.
This is not a quick, fast-paced read. It has lots of descriptions of the area and is filled with historical information. The historical aspect woven into the story is very interesting and would have taken a lot of time and patience to gather. It's always been my dream to write a story that has important life lessons mixed in. This kind of mystery keeps my dream alive!
In this book, Faye Longchamp and Joe Wolf Mantooth join an archaeological team in Mississippi researching Choctaw heritage. Their work did not produce the artifacts they had hoped to find. But a racial mystery from years past was solved.
This is not a quick, fast-paced read. It has lots of descriptions of the area and is filled with historical information. The historical aspect woven into the story is very interesting and would have taken a lot of time and patience to gather. It's always been my dream to write a story that has important life lessons mixed in. This kind of mystery keeps my dream alive!
February 23, 2012
Faye Longchamp continues her archaeological career digging a site in Mississippi. We meet the local Choctaw Band and a variety of local folks. The dig is relatively accurately portrayed but isn't the meat of the story. The Neshoba County Fair brings out the politicians, local and regional, and a mystery near-lynching from the 1960's stirs up the local folks and embroils Faye in another mystery. This series has gotten better with each of these first three books and I am happily digging into book four. I love discovering a series after the author has had time to write lots of them!
August 9, 2013
Mary Anna Evans weaves a fine tapestry of mystery, characters, historical fact and science into a novel that’s easy to read and hard to put down. Like the others in the Faye Longchamp series, we are introduced to the world of archaeology in a way that is neither dry nor too technical for the lay reader. Anyone can enjoy this series. Longchamp is a compelling character, a researcher who is outspoken, smart and adventurous. The plot is intriguing and comes with a twist. The wonderful thing about Mary’s work is that you finish with new knowledge about the world around you.
September 26, 2012
Another excellent Faye Longchamp story. The author has given us well-developed characters who are complex and engaging. That alone would make me want to know what happens to them next. Add an interesting story, built on historical fact and it holds your attention. It is well worth the read.
March 16, 2013
With this third book, this series is getting better and better. Looking forward to the next.
November 6, 2022
Effigies (Faye Longchamp mystery #3), Mary Anna Evans, 2007, 480 pages large print, ISBN 9781590583432
Our hero and her sidekick are again away at an archaeological dig, this one in Mississippi. Murder. Again.
Thirteen Faye Longchamp mysteries, as of 2022: https://www.orderofbooks.com/authors/...
Previous books in the series:
2005.06 Rachel Stockard-McKenzie born. (Magda 2 months pregnant, 2004.11.04, Book 2, p. 22, chapter 3).
Book 3 Effigies:
2005.07 (late July)
book 3 Chapters 1-2 Thursday
book 3 Chapters 3-4 Friday, Neshoba, Mississippi county fair
book 3 Chapters 5-6 Saturday, 2nd day of fair.
book 3 Chapters 7-8 Sunday, 3rd day of the fair.
book 3 Chapters 9-13 Monday, 4th day of the fair. Magda Stockard-McKenzie and baby Rachel home from hospital. book 3 Chapter 12.
book 3 Chapters 14-17 Tuesday, 5th day of the fair.
book 3 Chapters 18-20 Wednesday, 6th day of the fair.
book 3 Chapters 20-25 Thursday, 7th day of the fair.
book 3 Chapters 28-32 Friday, 8th day of the fair.
book 3 Chapter 33 Friday, August, 3 weeks after close of fair
Neshoba County, Mississippi, fairgrounds, Philadelphia, Mississippi:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/The...
Nanih Waiya mound, northeast of Philadelphia, Mississippi, in Winston County:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nan...
Author's websites:
https://maryannaevans.com/
https://www.ou.edu/gaylord/about/facu... https://www.mswritersandmusicians.com...
Our hero and her sidekick are again away at an archaeological dig, this one in Mississippi. Murder. Again.
Thirteen Faye Longchamp mysteries, as of 2022: https://www.orderofbooks.com/authors/...
Previous books in the series:
2005.06 Rachel Stockard-McKenzie born. (Magda 2 months pregnant, 2004.11.04, Book 2, p. 22, chapter 3).
Book 3 Effigies:
2005.07 (late July)
book 3 Chapters 1-2 Thursday
book 3 Chapters 3-4 Friday, Neshoba, Mississippi county fair
book 3 Chapters 5-6 Saturday, 2nd day of fair.
book 3 Chapters 7-8 Sunday, 3rd day of the fair.
book 3 Chapters 9-13 Monday, 4th day of the fair. Magda Stockard-McKenzie and baby Rachel home from hospital. book 3 Chapter 12.
book 3 Chapters 14-17 Tuesday, 5th day of the fair.
book 3 Chapters 18-20 Wednesday, 6th day of the fair.
book 3 Chapters 20-25 Thursday, 7th day of the fair.
book 3 Chapters 28-32 Friday, 8th day of the fair.
book 3 Chapter 33 Friday, August, 3 weeks after close of fair
Neshoba County, Mississippi, fairgrounds, Philadelphia, Mississippi:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/The...
Nanih Waiya mound, northeast of Philadelphia, Mississippi, in Winston County:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Nan...
Author's websites:
https://maryannaevans.com/
https://www.ou.edu/gaylord/about/facu... https://www.mswritersandmusicians.com...
April 8, 2020
Are you interested in reading about archaeology digs, Choctaw history and stories? This is the book for you. Faye and Joe are at a did in Mississippi. The land where the Choctaw believe was their birthplace. Some Choctaw were forced on the "trail of tears" to the Oklahoma area. Some chose to stay in Mississippi.
You meet a young archaeologist who grew up on the land where they are digging. His parents are Choctaw and own the lane. The head of the dig and three other workers besides Faye and Joe.
The mound they are digging is not as interesting as the mound they see across the road. Farmer Calhoun is not about to let anyone look at this mound.
The original dig was requested by a company who is helping road builders to decide how to straighten out a dangerous curve in the present road.
Another part of the story is about a black man who grew up in this area. He is now an ex-congressman from Michigan who returned to tell his story of growing up in this Mississippi town. The story dates back to civil rights times (1965) when this congressman was just 19. He was kidnapped and brutally beaten until someone came to his rescue. He doesn't know his attacker or rescuer. He wants to investigate now to bring both men out in the open. He wants to shake one mans hand and prosecute the other man.
Read on to find out what happens.
You meet a young archaeologist who grew up on the land where they are digging. His parents are Choctaw and own the lane. The head of the dig and three other workers besides Faye and Joe.
The mound they are digging is not as interesting as the mound they see across the road. Farmer Calhoun is not about to let anyone look at this mound.
The original dig was requested by a company who is helping road builders to decide how to straighten out a dangerous curve in the present road.
Another part of the story is about a black man who grew up in this area. He is now an ex-congressman from Michigan who returned to tell his story of growing up in this Mississippi town. The story dates back to civil rights times (1965) when this congressman was just 19. He was kidnapped and brutally beaten until someone came to his rescue. He doesn't know his attacker or rescuer. He wants to investigate now to bring both men out in the open. He wants to shake one mans hand and prosecute the other man.
Read on to find out what happens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2021
I love it when I can relate to the places the action in a book occurs. (I often get out a map and find the location in order to really enjoiy the book.) In Effigies I was able to pinpoint not only the location in Mississippi where the action happens but I was literally at another of the sites (Fort Ancient in Ohio) mentioned on the day I was reading this book! (And I read that section out loud to the rest of the folks who were there with me.) Fortunately no one died on my trip -- but unfortunately the farmer across the street from Faye's excavation does die -and Faye and her team are suspects -- as are the Natrive Americans who protested when said neighbor attempted to plow down what just might be a burial site. Faye allies herself with a congressman who nearly died on the property years ago as she investigates the farmer's murder.
January 26, 2023
Interesting series. I like Faye, really like Joe. Good writing, fascinating history, and I appreciate Faye’s (and Joe’s, although we see it less, he not being the main character) view of the world as a POC. This is where I have qualms, where a White person, and Mary Ann Evans certainly looks White, with nothing in her published background that I’ve seen that would indicate otherwise, having the main character be a person of color. As a White person, I am unqualified to evaluate the accuracy of Faye’s perceptions on race, and I enjoy the books, but I still have qualms.
I am also going to be exceedingly irritated if the romantic tension between Joe and Faye continues for any more books; this Will they?/Won’t they? get together dynamic, with introductions of other possible romantic partners (Relics and Effigies) gets old fast.
I am also going to be exceedingly irritated if the romantic tension between Joe and Faye continues for any more books; this Will they?/Won’t they? get together dynamic, with introductions of other possible romantic partners (Relics and Effigies) gets old fast.
October 16, 2020
Another great episode in Archaeologist Faye Longchamp’s search for the past. This time Faye and her friend, Joe, are working a dig in Mississippi. They join with others from former digs; so some of the characters are familiar. But Mary Anna Evans develops quite a number of new characters unique to this story. In addition to an exciting mystery, this series introduces me to parts of the U.S. and archeological sites that I would never learn about. As a child, I lived in Ohio for a few years, and I remember studying in school about ancient Mounds built thousands of years ago. This location is a sacred mound where tradition says the Choctaw nation was born. As expected, Faye gets involved in solving a murder and befriending the locals. Kept me guessing—love this series.
August 18, 2017
An interesting and entertaining story sections of which I found to be quite similar in method as the previous volume. By that I mean the main story unfolds and there are snippets of tribal type legends and stories from 'interviews' with characters dispersed throughout the book. As a non American the places referenced are quite foreign to me and as such I found the historical nature of the book interesting. Though I did enjoy the story I found it less impressive than the first two of the series but still a good read.
June 17, 2020
This was a very dramatic story.
Way heavy on the physical archeology.
Interesting characters, well written, compelling reading.
There is the college project and the side issues of Native American culture and what digging it up means to both sides.
There also is an attack on a young black male years ago resurfacing decades later.
There is family loyalty despite knowing better and in this part of the world, discrimination by race.
I borrowed a copy from my friend who met the author at Left Coast Crime Phoenix.
Way heavy on the physical archeology.
Interesting characters, well written, compelling reading.
There is the college project and the side issues of Native American culture and what digging it up means to both sides.
There also is an attack on a young black male years ago resurfacing decades later.
There is family loyalty despite knowing better and in this part of the world, discrimination by race.
I borrowed a copy from my friend who met the author at Left Coast Crime Phoenix.
August 13, 2020
With each book that I read in this series, I continue to be educated about our past. The research and honesty that Mary Anna Evans puts into her books touch my heart. Her topics are close to her. The stories are full of interesting facts and I love that at the end of this book she explains that the book is used in schools. She tells her readers where she gets her information. Some legitimate, and some word of mouth but her transparency makes me love her even more. These are wonderful stories.
January 2, 2020
Faye and Joe are working on an archaeological dig in Mississippi. The story explores the relations between the Native Americans (and how archaeologists interact with their history), and their white and African American neighbors. The characters are interesting and well drawn. The mystery was interesting. I have to admit that I did not care for the Perry Mason moment towards the end because it just seemed so implausible. Overall, this is a series worth returning to.
September 14, 2017
Very suspense, crime fighting mystery. Faye goes beyond her abilities and tries to save everyone around her and gets injured sometimes as well. Very little romance in this series so far.
The story keeps you right in and you want to find out what is happening and who the killer is . .. you will find out closer to the end if you haven't gotten it figured out as you read. . .
The story keeps you right in and you want to find out what is happening and who the killer is . .. you will find out closer to the end if you haven't gotten it figured out as you read. . .
April 4, 2021
Every book of this series has been a wonderful read and this third book was no exception. The main characters are quite believable, endearing, and important to both the story and the reader. The plot is easily followed and has lots of twists and turns, suppositions, and downright red herrings planted throughout. I highly recommend this book!
August 1, 2018
Although this book is basically fiction, Ms. Evans basis much of it on fact.
Based on Archeology and the Choctaw Indian Nation, this book has a great
mystery and a great history lesson. I thoroughly enjoyed another venture
with Faye Longchamp and Joe Mantooth.
Based on Archeology and the Choctaw Indian Nation, this book has a great
mystery and a great history lesson. I thoroughly enjoyed another venture
with Faye Longchamp and Joe Mantooth.
August 13, 2019
Another better-than-ordinary who-done-it with remarkable social justice themes. Author is a better teacher than writer, as characters and plot seem contrived. This may be the best of the series that documents Faye Longchamps' extraordinary life.
January 25, 2022
getting dirty
The series has improved much, becoming more interesting since the first book. The characters are realistic and likable. I am glad that I have continued to read the series. I gave it a 5 because I feel it deserves more than a 4.
The series has improved much, becoming more interesting since the first book. The characters are realistic and likable. I am glad that I have continued to read the series. I gave it a 5 because I feel it deserves more than a 4.
June 8, 2022
Book three in the series. I read them out of order, but it doesn't matter. The characters and subject matter is the same, but the stories are independent although some knowledge in previous books helps you to grasp things a bit easier/more quickly. Love these books!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews