Book Review: Gold in the Shadows

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Gold in the Shadows     Amazon US TPB Amazon Canada TPB
Michael Marcotte
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Archaeology   Thriller
Writer’s Club, Sep 2000, $18.95, 359 pp.

Oklahoma anthropologist Rachel Carson Aguila worries about her twin brother Kenny, a pilot, whose plane allegedly went down somewhere in the Peruvian side of the Amazon Jungle. Having spent some time there amidst the local populations, Rachel knows first hand how dangerous the beautiful terrain and its people can be to an outsider. Unable to patiently sit back when her only living relative is in danger, Rachel flies to Peru to encourage local search missions.

In Peru, American Egyptologist Dr. Harold Gallagher recognizes Rachel from her university days. He informs his expedition leader Max Arnold that she may be the only white person in the world who speaks Yaminhua, a local Indian dialect. Max realizes that she is the answer to a prayer, as the expedition party desperately needs someone to talk with the dangerous Yaminhua when they enter the territory. He uses the downed plane to persuade Rachel to join his team seeking a treasure from a three thousand years old map of stone found in Morocco by the jungle guide Tristan Sloan. If she wants to save her brother, the conniving Max seems her only chance, but he knows her sibling is safe in a remote area of Bolivia.

GOLD IN THE SHADOWS is an exciting anthropologic-archeological thriller that works because of the powerfully but divergent cast. The thrilling story line entertains the audience with its non-stop action. However, the tale clearly belongs to the characters including the jungle. All the key players are fully developed so readers understand their motives including the cruel mad Max. Michael Marcotte shows he is a talented author who provides fans with a gratifying novel worth reading.

Harriet Klausner

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