I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Beautiful Sacrifice
in Paperback edition on May 22, 2012 and has 400 pages.
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A thriller combining the end of the Maya Long Count and archeology with a crazy family.
My Take
I enjoyed this. Of course, it does combine archeology with suspense, so I am a bit prejudiced.
I did enjoy the explanation of the Maya religion and the slightly more in-depth information about the importance of blood sacrifice. An interesting mix of historical significance and the perversions modern man will twist it. As an artist, I appreciated the description of certain of the artifacts and how they were made and displayed.
Most of the story is the romance between Lina and Hunter as well as their “escape” into Mexico, additional interest via Jase and Hunter’s tracking down clues about the stolen artifacts, and a short, dramatic visit with Lina’s family.
This was a new one: The “nine-millimeter warrant”.
Lina really only has her grandmother for support in the family. Her parents are cold and self-absorbed and her cousin is a bit, well, ick. Too much of a playboy although he seems to have settled down. Well, heck, how sad is it that “the man who blackmailed her had shown her more respect than her parents ever had.”
Wait a minute…Lina had a crush on Mercurio which Lowell is at pains to remind us of throughout the story and then she states that “Lina never had been sexually drawn to the handsome young Mexican”??
I am just so confused by this sentence: “…LDX works with the Q Roo drug cartel, but it’s only to get paid for what LDX would do for free.” When Lowell has Lina and Hunter talking to Mercurio at the museo, she suddenly uses Carlos’ name as one of the speakers.
Creating the information about Hunter’s daughter seems rather pointless. Just a tidbit to make Hunter interesting, which would have worked better if Lowell had made it part of his reason for leaving ICE. Jase is a fun guy and the interaction between him and Hunter was enjoyable. Crutchfeldt seemed to be one of the token bad guys along the way.
Lowell makes an excellent point that humans are corrupt. It doesn’t matter which side of the border you’re on. But she also points out that “Mexico is circling the toilet” with “the narcos…in open warfare with the federales and corrupt cops and politicians. Which is just so damned sad. If we truly wanted to fight a war on drugs, then use the money to help the people to grow legal crops. And NOT fund the money through their governments! Too many Swiss and other off-shore bank accounts siphon that money off.
How is it that Hunter and Lina miss the connection between Carlos’ company and the truck hauling the “stolen” artifacts?
I do like Hunter’s confidence and I can appreciate how they both feel about the joy of being out in the country and the attractions of the city. Very practical.
Oh, yes! I love what Hunter does to Lina’s dad! What a jerk. But, I still want to know how the cave was kept dry…
The Story
If it weren’t for the machinations of her parents, this cloud wouldn’t be hanging over Dr. Taylor. The only reason Lina still has her job at the museum is because her family owns a chunk of it. Still, she’s desperately careful that no hint of impropriety can be pinned to her.
A care that is tossed out the window when one of her absentee students shows up with a handful of photos of stolen artifacts. He knows about her past and isn’t above blackmailing her into helping him.
It’s human sacrifice and a kidnapping attempt that send Lina and Hunter on the run to the one place where Lina knows she’ll be safe.
The Characters
Dr. Lina Taylor, an archeologist specializing in Yucatan/Maya culture, is between a rock and a hard place. Her parents are scandalous, her family’s estate is rich in artifacts, and she is struggling to retain her reputation at the Museum of the Maya in Houston. Cecilia Reyes Balam is both nagging mother and sharp-eyed businesswoman; Dr. Philip Taylor is more than an absentee father in his obsession for Maya artifacts; Carlos, her mother’s cousin, is the family’s savior; and, Abuelita is a petty tyrant although she has a soft spot for Lina.
Hunter Johnston was once an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent but gave it up to go to work for his uncles in their security business. Suzanne is the girl he considered his daughter. The one for whom her mother had so little concern.
Jason Beaumont is suspended from his job at ICE so his boss, Stu Brubaker, can cover his own butt. Ali is his beloved and pregnant wife and they have two children.
Mercurio ak Chan de la Poole used to work for her father, but eventually realized he’d never have his own career. He’s currently in charge of the Museo de Antropología de Tulum (the building sounds gorgeous). Simon Crutchfeldt is a major client of Celia’s who collects and resells artifacts. He’s not at all scrupulous. El Maya appears to be a narco-terrorist who is willing to send thugs with submachine guns to take down Lina. Rodrigo is a bad-ass informer for Hunter in Tulum and he’s terrified of El Maya.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a fuzzy blend of deep purple and fuchsia with the purple creating Lina’s hair and the fuchsia representing her face. It’s just a hint really with only her right eye and a sweep of bangs.
It is a Beautiful Sacrifice. Not a willing one, but beautiful.
