Book Review: Ancient Ones

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Ancient Ones     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Kirk Mitchell
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Archaeology
Series: Anna Turnipseed and Emmett Quanah Parker # 3
Bantam, May 2001
Unknown Binding

Illegal fossil hunter Gorka Bilbao found the bones in the John Day Canyon. He turned it over to noted forensic anthropologist Dr. Thaddeus Ranking, who immediately gave it to the Core of Engineers. The University of California at Riverside tested a metacarpal bone and reported that the remains are over 14,000 years old, male, and Caucasian, destroying all the theories on early North American man.

The findings upset several groups and fears that violence could occur has the Feds sending Bureau of Indian Affairs Emmett Parker and FBI Anna Turnipseed to not only witness the final examinations of the past, but to keep things safe. However, their presence fails to stop a killer from murdering, leaving the two Feds aware that they must work together to stop the individual before others die.

ANCIENT ONES is at its powerful best when it concentrates on the battle over the authenticity and test results of the fossil. Surprisingly, when the novel turns towards the character development of its two stars especially as wannabe lovers the plot slows down. Kirk Mitchell writes a strong tale that will send readers seeking previous Parker and Turnipseed novels (see CRY DANCE).

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner