Science & Technology - Fiction, Detective Fiction, Cozy Mysteries & Amateur Sleuths, Women Detectives - Fiction, Character Types - Fiction

The Moche warrior

Name: The Moche warrior
Author: Lyn Hamilton
ISBN: 9780425173084

by Lyn Hamilton

Write a review

Overview

"Armchair travelers and mystery buffs will enjoy the smooth blend of history and murder." -- Publishers Weekly

Lyn Hamilton's first archaeological mystery, The Xibalba Murders, introduced readers to Toronto antiques dealer Lara McClintoch--and received a nomination for the prestigious Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel. Set in the fascinating world of rare and beautiful artifacts, the series follows Lara in her travels to the most exotic ends of the earth--where the greatest treasures of all time inspire the darkest crimes in any age. In The Moche Warrior, Lara stumbles upon a box of what she thinks are worthless Peruvian reproductions--only to find that they are authentic Moche artifacts. Among the items is a rare ceremonial ornament depicting a golden man with scepter and shield: the Moche warrior. Dumb luck, yes--good luck, no. Dealing in Moche artifacts is highly illegal. So, when her assistant is brutally attacked and her shop burned, Lara realizes that she is an unwitting link in a chain of black market collectors. Now she must journey to Peru and do battle with an army of grave robbers who are as ruthless--and deadly--as the ancient Moche warriors themselves...

Reviews

There are no reviews yet. Log in to write one.

Editorials

KLIATT

Lara McClintoch, an antiques dealer from Toronto, is always looking for rare items for her store. She goes to an auction and ends up with a box of items she figures are worthless. She is surprised to find the items are authentic and belong to the Moche people of Peru. Soon after, her shop is burned; a dead man is found inside; and her friend is arrested for the murder. She decides to go to Peru to find out more, and she gets a job as an assistant at an archeological dig. She is in a dangerous position when she realizes drug smuggling and artifact smuggling go together. Lara is a feisty character and the historical background is fascinating. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 1999, Berkley, 321p, 18cm, $6.50. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Barbara Jo McKee; Libn/Media Dir., Streetsboro H.S., Stow, OH, May 2000 (Vol. 34 No. 3)

Library Journal

Toronto antiques dealer Lara McClintoch (The Xibalba Murders, Berkley, 1997) latches on to a box lot of Peruvian artifacts at auction purely to spite her ex-husband, also a dealer. The items are labeled as reproductions (albeit exquisite ones), but the interest they subsequently excite deeply disturbs her: during an apparent burglary and arson attempt at her shop, one "reproduction" goes missing and a body is left behind. To uncover the truth, McClintoch follows a paper trail back to Peru, where, through deceit and beguilement, she gets a job on a dig and foils the bad guys. A super story, entrancing prose, and fascinating subject matter make this a surefire winner.