What do You think about Relics (2005)?
Faye Longchamp has gotten a real job as a real archeologist, and is working again with Joe. Her new job takes her to Alabama and a secluded area that is home to a group of people who have had limited contact with the rest of the world. One of the things the team is trying to determine is just how long they have been in this spot. A fire in the local courthouse a few decades back has complicated the issue.When one member of the team is killed Faye starts her unofficial investigation and the fun begins.Completely fooled me on one part, and I nailed the other part of the mystery. Always makes it more fun when I figure out part of it but am shocked by the rest of it.I'll keep reading this series, Faye is a great character and I like keeping up with her life.
—Patty
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first in the series. It's so nice to discover a well written mystery series that already has a number of books published. This is just the type of mystery I like, not too gritty, not too cozy, but somewhere in the middle.Faye is a great character, but the race issues are feeling a bit heavy handed. I hope every book doesn't have such an emphasis on it. I liked the change of scenery and the plot in this one, trying to figure out the history of a small, insular, mixed-race group of people in rural Alabama. Joe's character progresses a lot from the first book and it will be interesting to see where Jolie's relationship with him goes.
—Donna
For the life of me I can't understand why Evans isn't riding high on bestseller lists. Her storytelling is just superb, and can be compared easily with King or Preston and Childs. With an eye toward the social mix of African Americans, Native Indians and Caucasians, and especially those of mixed heritage, her books educate on how archaeology informs us of early beginnings of a race, and how that knowledge effects us today. "Relics" is a one-sitting book; block out a day, as you will not be putting it down once you start. Favorite character throughout the books? Creek sidekick Joe Wolf Mantooth, who is on a long learning curve personally and spiritually. Can't wait to see the resolution of Joe, but will be so sad when this series is finished. Fabulous book. On to the third!
—Pamela B.
