Undercurrents (Faye Longchamp Archaeological Mysteries, 11) - Softcover

Evans, Mary Anna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1464209324 ISBN 13: 9781464209321

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press, 2018

Synopsis

"The Longchamp mysteries combine history and mystery in a gritty way that makes them feel different from most amateur-sleuth fare―dark-edged rather than cozy. Faye, too, is not your traditional amateur sleuth; she could just as easily anchor a gritty thriller series and give some of the giants in that genre a run for their money." ―Booklist

In Undercurrents, the eleventh Faye Longchamp Mystery, Faye has traveled to Memphis, a city steeped in music, poverty, history, and the smoky tang of barbecue. She's there working alone to do an assessment of a site, welcome work for her small archaeological consulting firm.

When Faye spies a child too young to be wandering along a creek alone, she follows the girl. A day later she uncovers a dying woman, buried alive near a spot where Kali might well be hiding. Nobody would blame Faye for running hard, but she can't make herself leave Kali, the woman's now orphaned daughter, who might be in danger. She's not welcomed by the people in Kali's struggling community, nor by the police working the crime. Yet she stays, for Kali, and for the bereaved who need her to communicate their fears to a police department that they trust even less than they trust Faye.

When they confide rumors of other women beaten to death by a man so obsessed with burial that he places fresh flowers in their cold hands, Faye begs the police to widen the investigation to seek a serial killer. They refuse. Faye's gut is telling her that a monster is stalking Memphis, endangering the child she has come to love. If the police can't catch him, then she will have no choice but to try to find him herself.

About this title

About the Author

Mary Anna Evans is the author of the Faye Longchamp archaeological mysteries, which have received recognition including the Benjamin Franklin Award, the Mississippi Author Award, and three Florida Book Awards bronze medals. She is an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, where she teaches fiction and nonfiction writing.

Check out her website, enewsletter, facebook author page, and twitter.

Winner of the 2018 Sisters in Crime (SinC) Academic Research Grant

Review

"The eleventh title in author Mary anna Evans' simply outstanding 'Faye Longchamp Mystery' series, Undercurrents is yet another riveting gem of a novel that will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library Mystery/Suspense collections." (Midwest Book Review)

"An intriguing, multi-layered tale. Not only was I completely stumped by the mystery, I was enchanted by the characters Evans created with such respect." (Claire Matturro, author of Wildcat Wine, on Relics, Faye Longchamp series #2)

"Evans's enjoyable 10th Faye Longchamp mystery....sensitively explores the issue of how to balance respecting cultural heritage and gaining knowledge of the past through scientific research." (Publishers Weekly on Burials, Faye Longchamp series #10)

"The Longchamp mysteries combine history and mystery in a gritty way that makes them feel different from most amateur-sleuth fare - dark-edged rather than cozy. Faye, too, is not your traditional amateur sleuth; she could just as easily anchor a gritty thriller series and give some of the giants in that genre a run for their money." (David Pitt Booklist)

"Evans expertly juggles a host of likely suspects, all the while breathing life into the city of Memphis, from its tourist-filled center to its marginal neighborhoods and the spectacular wilderness of the state park." (Publishers Weekly)

"Evans is completely in control of what she wants us to see, hear, and feel...Fascinating." (Booklist on Findings, Faye Longchamp series #4)

"Evans' signature archaeological lore adds even more interest to this tale of love, hate, and greed." (Kirkus Reviews on Burials, Faye Longchamp series #10)

About this edition

• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 1464209324
• ISBN 13: 9781464209321
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352