Review: Echoes from the Grave

A backhoe working to make way for new construction uncovers bones and Indian artifacts bringing construction to an abrupt halt. No sooner than the backhoe is turned off a group of Indians appear to protect the site. Sam Casey is an ex-police woman and of Native American heritage. Casey is one of the first to arrive on the scene along with her mother Abby. Sam’s husband Detective Jake Mitchell is amazed that at her appearance and curious as to how she got the news so quickly.

Elton Xavier Breyton III is the owner of the property and not at all happy that construction has been halted. After calling Sam a squaw bitch Breyton immediately becomes very unpopular with both the Indians and the police and comes close to getting shot.

Sam has the ability to receive vibes from the dead. When she touches the skull that has been uncovered she feels someone running away. The closer Sam gets to the case the more vibes she feels and she isn’t at all sure the bones that are uncovered are years old and all Indian bones. The fact that artifacts are in the pit is at first misleading.

An archeology group takes over the scene and begins to sift through the bones and artifacts. It is soon discovered that at least part of the bones are fairly recent and happens to be the remains of Breyton’s second wife. Amanda Breyton supposedly ran off with another man. How could her bones wind up in the hole being dug for Breyton’s new property?

Jake has his own suspicions about what happened to Amanda. Sam has different suspicions and keeps sneaking in to view the bones and artifacts and to try to get more messages from the dead. She also begins conducting her own investigation with some help from her friend Jackie.

Sam Casey is a character that I liked very much. This is the first Sam Casey book I have read but hope to go back and read the earlier books and learn more about Sam and her family. The ending took me by surprise but was an exciting conclusion to a good book.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM

Book Review: Echoes from the Grave