"entertaining suspense thriller"
The finding of the Mayan ruin La Chimenea is the epitome of
an already illustrious career for archeology team Dr. Walt
Gaines and his beloved spouse Jocelyn. As they work the
dig he thinks back over his three decades of marriage and
their three adult sons. He knows his wife has kept him
young. However, their glorious moment ends tragically when
thugs kill Jocelyn and loot much of the find. Even
bringing her remains to Wisconsin for cremation is an
ordeal as cops from both countries imply that Walt arranged
the murder of his wife. One year later, Walt has pieced together what really
happened in Central America, but keeps the truth from the
law and his three sons. His suddenly rich and living in
California lifestyle includes a new girlfriend closer in
age to his children. His silence leads to his three sons
to wonder if their father killed their mother. The trio
makes inquiries that links Walt's affluence to a Mayan
artifact black market. They speculate that their mother
learned what their father was doing and threatened to
expose his nefarious dealings so he had her silenced. Now
what to do with what they believe they know. Though at times quite suspenseful and filled with an
interesting closing twist, readers will have to accept that
the three sons could coax information from various sources
known for protecting clients. The story line shines in
Central America and those scenes when the threesome
suspects that their father is a spousal killer. Though
there are many inane details that subtract from the tale,
J. F. Freedman has written an entertaining suspense
thriller. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted May 19, 2003
|
