The Visitant

The Anasazi Mysteries #1

by Kathleen O'Neal Gear, W. Michael Gear

At the Dawn of the Age of the Katsinas...

A woman runs away in search of a Spirit Helper and never returns...

An ancient village is swept into a shattering crime beyond reason, beyond belief...

An old man must learn to walk the dark labyrinth of a murderer's mind to find him before he can strike again...

A young war chief must enter the mesmerizing word of the insane if he to save everything and everyone he loves...

And, a scant moment ahead in geologic time, world-renowned Canadian physical anthropologist Dr. Maureen Coles finds herself excavating a mass grave in New Mexico filled with the brutalized bodies of women and children.

From the internationally bestselling authors of People of the Masks comes a novel of terrifying power about madness and murder eight hundred years ago.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Native American, Historical, Fantasy, Mystery Thriller

501 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

My professional life began in the dark basement of the Museum of Cultural History in Los Angeles, where I was cataloguing three-hundred-year-old Guatemalan saint carvings. I quit this fascinating job and moved to Wyoming to work for the U.S. Department of the Interior as a historian and archaeologist. When I finally understood the error of my ways I moved to Wyoming and started writing books. Since then, I've authored or co-authored 54 novels and around 200 non-fiction publications.

I love writing. And buffalo. And hiking the wilds of Wyoming's backcountry.

I'm married (until he comes to his senses) to W. Michael Gear, the novelist and my co-author, and we live at the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation in the Owl Creek mountains of Wyoming. We're contented watching buffalo and writing books.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/kathle...

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the plot line of the book to be interesting as well as quite unique. We have a serial killer murder mystery set among the Anasazi peoples with an archaeology crew excavating his victim hundreds of years later. It was a solid mystery that became even more compelling as it went along. Stone Ghost was the best character...a gifted detective with a well-rounded knowledge of psychology, even if he was a bit eccentric. It was difficult to guess the killer, but the clues were all there and yet the ending was still surprising. The story actually runs in two plotlines, modern times and historical times, connected by the place that once was a village but now is an archaeological dig site. The one thing that I thought was unnecessary and brought the story down a bit for me, as well as losing the book a 5-star rating, was the way the author chose to introduce and give the reader a picture of the two main characters. The archaeologist was brilliant, but he was instantly reduced to the pages of a "bodice-ripper" book when the author described him in great detail as "a blond, rugged, muscular Adonis". I was now waiting for his "goddess" to appear and didn't have too long to wait. She, of course was described as"A full breasted, small waisted equally brilliant scholar". How did that really matter? Well, except that they were brilliant scholars and capable of solving the murders. Turns out that it really didn't matter what either of them looked like...they hated each other at first sight and throughout most of the story...but you probably know how long the "hated" lasted and where all that was heading. The author also brought forth the interesting question of science versus spiritual belief, but never explored it any further. The perfect opportunity was there several times. She had created two expert characters that could have added their individual views and knowledge on this question to the story. The majority of the book was 4-star worthy but a little less of the "blond, rugged Adonis" and "full breasted, small waisted" descriptions and more about the ancient peoples and the killer would have brought this story up to a solid 5-star read.

[C.A. Simonsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Visitant is a great story idea, as we have a centuries-old murder mystery set amidst the Anasazi People coupled with the modern-day excavations of the deceased.

The author makes a good attempt at inserting humour and maintaining a quick pace. However, the circa 1050 A.D. language (translated into English) does not come across as believable. Also, every character in the present-day story has a heavy, tragic past. Too many characters are gifted with other-worldly, spiritual talents for this reader.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

My mistake. I wanted to put this book away after the very first pages, where one of the main characters, a brilliant archaeologist, is described with great detail as a blond, rugged, muscular Adonis. I was waiting for his 'goddess' to appear and didn't have to wait too long. A full breasted small waisted equally brilliant scholar appears and guess what - they hate each other at sight (and you know where this is heading too).
The story runs in two plotlines, contemporary and historical, connected by the place that once was a village, now is an archaeological dig. The story concept is interesting, but I found the writing tedious. Not only the characters are shallow and stereotypical but the descriptions are repetitive in their form, like if the author was following a dot point list for beginner writers making sure they include input from all the senses (smell, sight, touch, taste).
There was an attempt to bring forth the grand question of the science versus spiritual belief, but it was never explored in any meaningful way.
One star for good idea but didn't enjoy the writing.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Visitant is an absolutely fascinating tale of life with the ancient Anasazi in the Chaco Canyon area. The Gear’s work together to create a rich, vibrant world filled with very memorable characters. Readers will not only learn a lot, but gain a huge appreciation for the ancient peoples and life back in those times. While the modern portions of the book are sorely lacking compared to the ancient portions, they are still entertaining. It is very interesting to see how two very different people from two very different time periods would treat the same mystery. The Visitant is a solid first book in a trilogy that is sure to please fantasy and historical fiction readers alike.

Read my full review here:

http://www.bookwormblues.net/2012/06/...

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

so I stumbled on this at the library. And, OH WHAT A FIND!

This tale jumps from modern times at an archealogical dig to the distant past of the Anasazi. Lots of murder, mayhem, and evil spirits roaming and possessing/displacing souls dispatching women during an epidemic of tuberculosis causing an old man to come out of hermit-like, self-imposed exile to come out and investigate in a quirky yet astute manner. A husband on the search for any ties to the true culprit against the crimes committed against his family. A woman madly in love with the man who is haunted by his wife's death about the same time his son dies. And a community that strives to prevent any new murders from being committed against their young women. Modern day archealogists debate as they uncover the graves of many women and some children while conquering some of their own murky pasts while helping to settle some of the souls that are caught between the lives they once lived and the promise of their afterlife.

I loved the banter and play between the archealogists and the tempers that flare while some wounds start to heal. I am moved at the depth of spiritual and ceremonial beliefs the Anasazi peoples wrap into their every day lives. The tones carry on to their descendants that come to observe the dig.

A good heavy read. Food for the brain, yet entertaining in carefully plotted increments. A good solid mystery-thriller to add to the collection.

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm back less than a month from the Southwest (Chaco Canyon will wait until our next trip there), so listening to this book had instant appeal, especially after having visited several of the sites that showcase the ruins of Ancestral Puebloans. What could be better than a novel to flesh out their daily lives an culture? Not this book, at least for me. The authors chose a very creative way to explore the mysterious deaths: two time streams populated by Ancestral Puebloans and current-day archeologists. But I found THE VISITANT very long, especially in the middle. The characters in the current-day archeological team were much more developed in their relationships, roles and motivations; what I needed for the book to work was the same for the Anasazi characters, who were the key players in the story. And because the spirit world also occupies a key role in the plot, it also needed to be sketched in more skillfully to help the reader grasp the world view. And Stone Ghost's assessment of motivations sounded too much like contemporary psychoanalyzing of early-childhood wounds to be believable. Quite a mess. My hopes were up and this didn't fulfill them.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the longest and most confusing book I have read in a long time. If you are looking for a completely hard to solve Native American indian mystery and have a while to read, then pick up this book. Other than the fact that I really really wanted to know who has killing all these women, I would have stopped reading about half way through.

The story is split between two times. The present day at an archaeological dig and the time when the Native Americans that they are excavating lived in. The switching back and forth made me a bit dizzy. I would read a couple lines and figure out that the author had switched time periods on me. The speech for the Native American tribe bothered me. They spoke exactly like the present day people. I know that it would be harder to do it in way that lets you know they lived in the past but still.

Other than the long descriptions and the constant switching, it was a good book. I don't think I will be reading book 2 of this series, though.

[Astrid · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read. Top many POVs and headhopping for my liking.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do not recommend this book. I’m giving it three stars because there were parts about Ancestral Puebloan or modern Pueblo Indian culture that I appreciated reading about. However, there are child abuse and rape plots that are deeply disturbing. The book jumps back and forth —quite jarringly— between an unspecified time in the past (13th century?) Chaco Canyon and the early 1990s. The people in the 1990s archeological dig are mainly written as super obnoxious on purpose. I don’t know why authors think we want to read people being their worst possible selves; I certainly don’t. The modern characters slip from professional argument into personal attacks of the most unforgivable kind. Yet somehow, minutes later, at the end of book the two main antagonists are suddenly friends? Completely unbelievable.

I liked the idea of the ancient people trying to figure out who was a murderer in their midst at the same time that a group of archeologists is trying to figure out what happened to a group of bodies they’re uncovering, but it ultimately wasn’t a satisfying plot. I did not understand a lot of the mystery, despite one character who knew more about what was happening finally sharing some intel near the end. (I hate that lazy plot wherever I see it, usually in TV, in which a character who has held back important secrets for years suddenly tells what s/he knows at the very end. Ugh, so cheap.) I think there were three killers but only one was caught? It shouldn’t be this hard to understand after 358 pages of small type. I looked a little at the next book’s reviews on Goodreads, and it sounds like it is equally or even more gruesome than this one, so I’ll pass. I loved Tony Hillerman’s books, so if you’re looking for a murder mystery series that’s respectful of native culture, that’s what I’d recommend for now.

[Dlora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. It bounced back and forth between a modern-day group of archaeologists in New Mexico who have uncovered a mass grave from the Anasazi times and that exact time in the distant past when those murders are taking place. The juxtaposition of what the scientists think might have happened based on the evidence of old bones and remains and what did happen in the villages of the Katsinas Peoples is interetsting. The characters in both time periods are complex with histories and motivations that draw you in. I especially liked Stone Ghost, a prototype for the modern-day detectives who ferret out what happened by Columbo-like attention to details. The religious beliefs of the Indians, including the modern-day descendants, is interesting, well described, and an important part of shaping what controls people's actions--again in both time periods. The weakest part of this story for me was the plot. The basic idea is attention-catching: women and children are murdered and then the bodies disappear; it would seem that serial murderers are not just a phenomenon of our modern era. The author does a good job with suspense and making you question who might be the murderer. However, I had trouble following plot details, and worst of all, the ending left me unsatisfied--perhaps because this is billed as book 1 in the "Anasazi Mysteries Series." The history of the Anasazi time period was the book's strong point. The authors' credentials are impeccable and the book includes a six-page bibliography.

[Nora Peevy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is dear to my heart because I lived in Albuquerque for almost two years. I've been to Acoma, Sky City. It's a magical place. And hiking The Petroglyphs and the mesa, I could see the history of the land come to life. That part of the country just oozes history. This book captures that history beautifully in a great murder mystery spanning ages. I loved reading a chapter from present day and then a chapter from the past. The characters are all so wonderful and real. The history and culture is well researched, as I've come to expect reading a Gear book. If you've read and enjoyed The First People of North America series, you'll love this one as well. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading and learning about the Anasazi people, their culture, their environment. I also enjoy reading about archaeology, everything about the subject intriques me. The characters on the archaeological team were interesting and how their relationships to one another was well done. In the end, though, the reason for the murders was probably a big deal in ancient times but rather mundane to a person of our time with all our psychological disorders.
It's the first in a series but I don't think I'll go out of my way to find the rest. If I happen to see them at a yard sale or library book sale then I'll pick it up.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a wonderful read. I learned a lot about the Anasazi and their beliefs and culture. It has two timelines: now where archeologists are digging at a site, and the events 800 years in the past that presumably let to what the archeologists are now finding. You can look at this from both perspectives, and I found both interesting. This is part of a three volume series. I'm on to the next one. You might want to consider it as well.

[John Hanscom · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 3 1/2. It would rate a 4 if it hadn't ended with too many unresolved issues, even for the first in a series.

[Pau · Rating 2 out of 5]

Visitant means supernatural being of some sort, like angels or demons. They aren't real now but the world of an Anasazi revolves around them. Of course, what's important to the Anasazi is also very important to the scientists/researchers who dig them... the Archaeologists. The Visitant is two stories in one. It tells of the murder-mystery of a time long past concerning an Anasazi village and the archaeologists on an impact assessment of an ancient burial ground.

The Anasazi part follows Browser, a war chief, as he buries his infant son who had died of the coughing disease. As if that wasn't bad enough, when he was setting his dead son onto the burial pit - he couldn't. The burial pit had been desecrated by another body. Yikes. But wait, there more. The body in the burial pit was his missing wife's. But wait! There's even more... Ash Girl, Browser's wife, had a stone on top of her head signifying that she was a witch! It was a bad day for Browser, especially since later that day, they discover that his secret lover, Hophorn the Sunwatcher, was injured and was near death. She had suffered from blow to the head and was being cared for by Cloudblower the Kokwimu, the village healer and also an elder. Cloudblower needed to take a bit of Hophorn's skull out to let the evil spirits escape. Nice. It was turning out to be a very eventful day for Browser. But it wasn't over. When he was about to retrieve his dead wife's body out of the burial pit, it went missing. They had suspected that Ash Girl turned into an owl and flew witch-ly away. What an exciting day Browser was having!

That was a complete contrast to the archaeological excavation happening right "now". Granted that I might be biased as I had experience going on an archaeological excavation. I still did not care about anyone in that team, except maybe for Dale. I did not care to know about the lives of Dusty, Maureen, Sylvia, etc. The only good part was when Aunt Hail, the NAGPRA monitor's aunt came to visit that it went all exciting. Otherwise, I'm sorry but the archaeologists seem more interested in everybody else's personal lives than the excavation itself. The way Dusty talks, he would NEVER be able to LEAD an excavation where I'm from. How does one not know isotope tests? What?! How did he ever pass school? That's one of the most common bone tests in archaeology. Not everyone does it because it's damn expensive but that's why everybody knows of it. You don't go graduating to leading an excavation if you don't know anything about it. Plus, no one talks like Dusty and Sylvia does in an excavation EVER!!! I've been doing that a long time and I would never dare talk like that to anyone even my own best buddy. Because you're in an isolated place with sharp implements where accidents happen. And rationing plus careful meal plans seems to be not part of this excavation. NO WONDER YOU'RE OVER BUDGET! Where is their quartermaster? Where are the buckets btw? And the most unbelievable thing of all, why does Dusty have firearms in an excavation? What are you?! It defeats the bylaws of scientific investigation. If you are afraid of armed men going to get you, please bring a group of armed men to protect you. You don't go bringing firearms yourself because you are a scientist. OMG. Is this how it is to dig in that part of the world? I'm shocked. I'm even more shocked that Maureen just takes it. Oh you dig with guns, that's wrong... oh well, back to my bones. Plus, what I wanted to see was the pure excitement of archaeologists discovering ancient remains with a whole lot of trauma and others. It feels like a book written by an amateur archaeologists with sentiments that a seasoned archaeologists would have already outgrown.

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The more interesting bit was the Anasazi murder-mystery. Browser's favorite warrior, Catkin, was sent out to fetch Stone Ghost, the ancient detective. He lived out in the desert on his own and was considered your regular crazy old fellow. Stone Ghost visited the other villages that had female members disappearing on them. These villagers assumed that their girls were taken by the evil Fire Dogs as slaves, etc. Funny enough, these girls exhibited headaches and signs of abuse prior to disappearance that they attributed to their Spirit Helper. This had also happened to Ash Girl. Stone Ghost and the outlying villages gathered to Browser's village for the Celebration of the Long Night. Cloudblower performed the rights with Catkin wherein Cloudblower took the chance to tell Catkin about a sexually abused member of the village, you know, as small talk. Cloudblower did not disclose who it was at that time. As the night went on, another girl and Hophorn went missing. Catkin went out to look for them and found the supposed killer who had hit her on the side of her head.

Meanwhile, in the excavation, exciting things are happening. It seems that all the specimens had blows on the head. The later one had them only on the right side. Maureen, the physical anthropologist, suggests that the killer had been examining the language side of the brain by literally bashing heads at specific places. What's more fun is that she'd found cut marks consistent with cutting flesh off bones. That's cannibalism, the most controversial topic on earth.

However, the Anasazi murder-mystery veers us away from that. Catkin sees the supposed killer, Yellow Dove, cutting the flesh off of the now dead Hophorn. Yellow Dove is making corpse powder, a dangerous element that causes ghosts to shrivel and die. In Anasazi mind set, ghosts are as good as the living making corpse powder an element of evil used usually by witches. Darn. Yellow Dove tells Catkin that he's not the killer, there's a bigger one. It was the Spirit Helper who was banging the girls' heads in. He was the one who was killing the girls and not Yellow Dove, who was just there to deflesh and bury the girls afterwards.

Turns out Yellow Dove is in fact Ash Girl, who had developed multiple personalities on account of the sexual abuse she suffered as a child. The Spirit Helper is Two Hearts who was Ash Girl's evil dad. Browser unknowingly shot her with an arrow and she dies in his arms. Browser is an idiot. Not because he shot his wife, it was because he didn't care to know about his wife. Catkin is also an idiot who, as a girl, didn't bother to ask Ash Girl what was the matter. They are all idiots and Ash Girl is the true victim, with Hophorn as the supporting character. Cloudblower had failed miserably but she knew this so she's saved from criticism.

Back in the "now", Aunt Hail confirms that the true killer is not among the individuals in the burials. And that Two Hearts had one this time. So, please expect book two.

I wouldn't pick up book two. The archaeologists are just not interesting and are really more interested in their personal lives. That's really not true in the field. When one goes out in the field, you don't wear your heart on your sleeve. In fact, you leave your heart at home and put up all the shields you've got. Everyday interactions are one of severe, dry and cold politeness. You make friends, yes. But everyone is at their very best at avoiding conflict and upholding professionalism. You don't do anything to upset anyone and you keep your eyes on the ground. Even if you're seeing a conflict happen in front of your eyes, you don't see anything and walk away. You laugh at jokes but all the jokes you would hear are impersonal. You clean up your own mess, make sure that you're around when they give out food. You never complain about the food and you always show up on time. You do NOT leave the group like what Maureen did. You do NOT have personal time, unless you're in the crapper and you don't stay in the crapper for more than 5mins as someone else might want to use it. Everybody will always know where everybody is. And, everybody knows what everybody else is doing. But nobody comments and you keep your head down. That's what happens in an excavation. You work hard, you keep your head down and you keep out of trouble. Oh and you write everything, on your journal and on the records. Nobody keeps records in this book? Exactly.

[Owen Johns · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost this is the first work of fiction I’ve seen that has ten-ish pages of works cited at the end of it and I just think that’s cool, more books should be doing that.

This is a very good mystery novel, lots of twists and turns and you never really knew what was going to happen until the big reveal at the end, and even at that point you’re left with questions. I will say, as this book does flip between two storylines, one in the past and one in the present, sometimes if there’s a lull in one of the storylines you’re kinda wishing they’d just switch back to the other, although that didn’t really happen too often, as both stories were for the most part engaging throughout. Also, as part of the story takes place in an 800 year old Native American village, it was a little difficult to understand all the language and references to the culture and practices, although you learn quick.

When I had just started reading this book I skimmed through some of the reviews here, and I read a 1-star review being critical of the archaeology storyline, referencing how the main character being described as a “blond-haired Adonis” is a little annoying and how the character arcs were pretty predictable. Which I fully understand, and somewhat agree with. That being said I feel like there’s still more good than bad from the archaeology POV; I don’t think those weird character description choices are nearly frequent enough for it to get super off-putting. Plus I think the Native POV is really interesting, I don’t have any major complaints with it at all. It was also cool to see some ancient non-binary representation in Cloudblower, but I do have some gripes in the way she was written toward the end of the book.

Overall, a solid read where I’m excited to move on to the sequels :)

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the past, War Chief Browser fears for his missing wife while also dealing with the loss of his ill son. When his wife's body is found, her skull crushed by a rock, at the burial ground of his son, Browser must find out who he can trust in his village and figure out who has killed his wife, while the victims pile up around him and the only witness has been stunned and beaten into silence. In the present, Dusty Stewart heads up an archaeological dig in New Mexico and is stunned to find the skeleton of a woman with a head wound. He calls the one person he knows can help him: Maureen Cole. Dr. Cole and Dusty have a past and it isn't a good one. Between the personality clashes and the increasingly large pile of bodies, Dusty and Maureen have their hands full.

I found the parts of the book focused on the Native American tribe to be the most interesting. I didn't like the parts in the present. The clash between Dusty and Maureen, while it exists, doesn't make a whole lot of sense because it's never really explained. The two are both pig headed and of course they're both beyond attractive.

[Gilda Felt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book’s plot to be both complex and intriguing, with well thought out characters. Even the moving back and forth in time didn’t lessen my interest; may even had enhanced it, because the reader has two situations, two sets of people whose lives are being challenged by the deaths of several young women. Who is the killer? The writers keep you guessing.

What I found especially interesting is that the stronger character in both times is the female. There is a serious flaw running through both male protagonists. Not to the point to make them unlikable, but it’s there, nevertheless.

The one thing that kept the book from being totally exceptional, was the writers’ habit of describing what each character was wearing. Every character, every time they came on the scene. Which was puzzling, because it had nothing to do with the plot. It got so that sometime it would detract from the flow of the story. Not to the point where I would stop reading, but I do so wish they hadn’t done it.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a goal to read one book for each letter of the alphabet, this was V, tbe last letter I needed.

I wasn't sure about this at first, beyond it being my V book. But it was a solid mystery that became more compelling as it went along. I grew up in the West, so the Anasazi aspect was not difficult for me to follow, but it migt be a little more removed for some people. Of course, given the authors' backgrounds, there is no doubt that it is as accurately drawn as it can be. In some ways, I think the Anasazi mystery aspect could have or even should have stood on its own. Stone Ghost was a gifted detective with a solid knowledge of psychology, even if a bit eccentric. The ending was powerful but surprising, although the clues were there.

I can see the purpose of the modern storyline for helping relate the world of the Anasazi to that of the reader, but I am not sure if that aspect was as well developed or as interesting. The best characters were those of Magpie and Hail.

[Brittany Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chaco Canyon is my favorite place in the world, so of course I was excited to pick up a book about the Anasazi. The plot was enjoyable, though the description of the characters was repetitive. I enjoyed this book but don’t think I’ll read any others from these authors.

As a New Mexican, I have set the record straight on two things in this book. It’s does NOT get 108 degrees in Albuquerque or Chaco Canyon. Yes, summers are hot. Yes, we do get temps over 100. But this is not the norm. The hottest temp ON RECORD at Chaco Canyon is 106 a long time ago.

Second, there is mention in the book how much New Mexicans love the Mexican food in New Mexico. Sure, we like Mexican food. But the draw is NEW Mexican food. This is quite different, and an important differentiation. You don’t want to mix the two up in front of a Nee Mexican.

Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was taking a walk in my neighborhood and came across a little give-and-take library. I picked this one because it looked the most used.

I really enjoyed this book. It was hard to get used to the language at first (referring to people’s ages with sun cycles, etc). Once I got through the first chapter, I was hooked. I do see where folks are coming from saying that the two main characters being “god-like, skinny, adonis, etc” is a bit cheesy and outdated. With this, I felt that the author was constantly painting a picture of the characters, and I was really able to visualize them.

It had many confusing aspects that seemed to all come together at the end. It had you guessing but you still didn’t expect what was coming. I will also say I did feel triggered by some mentions of SA, but it was still a good read.

[Jessika Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this one, and I actually contemplated putting this one down. Once I got past the first couple chapters, though, something grabbed me and the book absolutely took off for me. I had a hard time putting this one down. I spent so much time trying to figure out what was going on, and I just couldn't figure it out. It was frustrating me in the best way possible. As always, I find the different Native American cultures and beliefs fascinating, so of course, the Gears came through for me again. I also enjoyed the parallel storylines and how they bounced back and forth between the past and present. It was neat to see both of them try to figure out what was going on. This is a series I definitely plan on continuing.

[Tharen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating story which weaves together a murder mystery about the ancient Anasazi people in Arizona and modern day archeologists working on a dig. In the historical story, women and young girls are disappearing and it becomes clear there is a serial killer at work. The main characters work to solve the mystery within the context of their culture, which is interesting. The other story involves the archaeologists interpreting what could have happened as they examine the bones of those killed. It also touches on traditional native traditions and introduces hints of a love story. As the first of a trilogy, the plot is not resolved at the end of the book, so I will be looking to finishing the trilogy down the road.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's difficult for me to review this story. I enjoyed the plot, cared about the characters but had an awful time finishing. I would pick up the book, read for a while then put it down for months. The connections between the modern day anthropologists and the lives of the bodies they were researching was well written and added to the story. I may add this to my 'read again sometime' list to see what happens. Or I may find its sequel and see what happens.

[Michael Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book contains two well written and intertwined stories, one of ancient times and one in the present. The old followed the Anasazi culture and deaths and the present one about the archaeologists who try to determine what happened when they uncover multiple graves with suspicious deaths revealed. The story is told with authenticity by the Gears, a well known and experienced author and archaeology duo.

[Brandon Wei · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generic thriller / mystery with the twist of the two timelines thrown in. Interwoven storylines felt jumpy and disorganized. The characters in the modern portion felt like exaggerated caricatures, maybe even self-inserts?

No real comments on historical accuracy, but assuming the authors did their research (I will, because there was an extensive bibliography), I did learn a lot about Native American culture in the southwest.

[Chanda Presley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story went back and forth from present to past. In the beginning, I tended to enjoy and look forward to the present story. Then, in the middle, it balanced out and I started enjoying both stories. Towards the end though, I stopped enjoying either one. It got a little too complex and far fetched and did not end well. But all in all, it was a good book and I enjoyed it for the most part. However, I doubt I’ll ever read any more in the series.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the first of a trilogy, I think. So I was excited to start this book, but the further I read the more confused I became. Some characters have two names thus making it hard to keep track of their stories. The potential love story in one section struck me as contrived. I may reread this one at a future date since archaeology and history are fascinating to me.

[Brandon Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, I've got to say that this is the book I've enjoyed the most for some time now. It was something entirely new feeling to me. Without giving anything away, it's a serial killer murder mystery set among the Anasazi peoples as well as the archaeology crew excavating his victim hundreds of years later. Come on, how can that not be awesome.

[Rebekah Tyrrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a 3.5. Pretty interesting to see how ancient Native Americans viewed mental illness, especially multiple personality disorders. Informative on ancient rituals and day to day life, but the story gets a little convoluted, and drawn out in parts. Kind of a thousands of years old murder mystery, and how archeologists try to piece it together.