This is the fifth in the series about archaeologist Dr. Emma Fielding. New readers could start with this book, although having read the previous books enables some better character insight. Emma is attending a conference where she expects to give a presentation, catch up with old friends, and maybe buy a few books. What she doesn't expect is the reappearance of an old flame, and the death of an almost-enemy. Of course Emma is going to become one of the chief suspects. I liked the politicking, the gossip, and the reluctance of the police to let Emma know anything at all about what they were doing. I also liked the resolution of the mystery; while the clues were there, I didn't pick up on them while reading. I confess that I get Dana Cameron confused with Beverly Connor, they seem to have very similar protagonists. And this book won't be one that really sticks in my mind, it's too similar to too many others in the genre. But it's a nice satisfying read, I'll keep it as I have the others in the series and be happy to get the next, and in a few years when I'm casting through my shelves I'll probably go through the whole set again.
Eadie B. (eadieburke) -
Book Description
It's a deadly winter for archaeologist Emma Fielding as she tracks a killer in an old New Hampshire hotel, in this fifth mystery from real-life archaeologist Dana Cameron.
Archaeologist Emma Fielding should be on top of the world. Her teaching job secure and home life stable, she arrives at an archaeological conference at a famous old New Hampshire hotel, having outrun the winter storm that's paralyzing the East Coast. A rising star in the field, she's in the midst of friends she's known all her life, celebrating the work of Professor Garrison, a venerable legend in the field.
When Garrison is found dead on the iced-over lake outside the snow-bound hotel, however, Emma realizes that everyone has something to hide, including herself. While the police determine whether Garrison's death was an accident, suicide, or murder, Emma's intimate knowledge of her colleagues hasn't prepared her for what they're concealing, even from themselves. Emma is also forced to face the fact that the dead man was no friend of hers (or her grandfather Oscar) and that everyone-colleagues, police, and herself included-wonders why her view of him is so very different.
The presence of Emma's old flame Duncan brings up bitter memories she'd rather were left buried deep in the past: Duncan wants something from her and Emma can't tell whether it is an opportunity to rekindle their relationship or a way to ensure her silence permanently. Professional jealousies and infighting would be enough added to Garrison's mysterious death, but a series of thefts and attacks in the isolated hotel make the stranded archaeologists ask whether a vengeful ghost has returned, practiced criminals are targeting the conference, or one of their own number has finally succumbed to an array of deadly temptations.
My Review
I really enjoyed the first four books of this series. I would have to say that this one is a mis-step and not as interesting as the others. I believe the problem is that Emma is at an archaeology conference instead of her usual digging site where most of her mysteries happen. There is a murder at the conference but not very many clues are given. Too much information about what is going on at the conference and a lot of reference to past happenings which are not explained. If you haven't read the other books, you are left feeling clueless. There really wasn't much of a plot and therefore ended up lacking in the development of the mystery of who killed Mr. Garrison. The ending did sum up what happened but I think the book was a bit boring and may have lost some readers by the ending. I will, however, read the last book of the series and hopefully Dana Cameron will redeem herself. I would recommend this book to archaeologists who enjoy conferences and those who are not archaeologists should read the first four books of the series but skip this one.
It's a deadly winter for archaeologist Emma Fielding as she tracks a killer in an old New Hampshire hotel, in this fifth mystery from real-life archaeologist Dana Cameron.
Archaeologist Emma Fielding should be on top of the world. Her teaching job secure and home life stable, she arrives at an archaeological conference at a famous old New Hampshire hotel, having outrun the winter storm that's paralyzing the East Coast. A rising star in the field, she's in the midst of friends she's known all her life, celebrating the work of Professor Garrison, a venerable legend in the field.
When Garrison is found dead on the iced-over lake outside the snow-bound hotel, however, Emma realizes that everyone has something to hide, including herself. While the police determine whether Garrison's death was an accident, suicide, or murder, Emma's intimate knowledge of her colleagues hasn't prepared her for what they're concealing, even from themselves. Emma is also forced to face the fact that the dead man was no friend of hers (or her grandfather Oscar) and that everyone-colleagues, police, and herself included-wonders why her view of him is so very different.
The presence of Emma's old flame Duncan brings up bitter memories she'd rather were left buried deep in the past: Duncan wants something from her and Emma can't tell whether it is an opportunity to rekindle their relationship or a way to ensure her silence permanently. Professional jealousies and infighting would be enough added to Garrison's mysterious death, but a series of thefts and attacks in the isolated hotel make the stranded archaeologists ask whether a vengeful ghost has returned, practiced criminals are targeting the conference, or one of their own number has finally succumbed to an array of deadly temptations.
My Review
I really enjoyed the first four books of this series. I would have to say that this one is a mis-step and not as interesting as the others. I believe the problem is that Emma is at an archaeology conference instead of her usual digging site where most of her mysteries happen. There is a murder at the conference but not very many clues are given. Too much information about what is going on at the conference and a lot of reference to past happenings which are not explained. If you haven't read the other books, you are left feeling clueless. There really wasn't much of a plot and therefore ended up lacking in the development of the mystery of who killed Mr. Garrison. The ending did sum up what happened but I think the book was a bit boring and may have lost some readers by the ending. I will, however, read the last book of the series and hopefully Dana Cameron will redeem herself. I would recommend this book to archaeologists who enjoy conferences and those who are not archaeologists should read the first four books of the series but skip this one.
