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The "Mysteries of the Maya" exhibit is set to debut at the Museum of Antiquities; this will be
Anna Lundgren’s debut as the head curator. Needless to say, Anna is nervous and excited at the same time, and the night is
a smash! The only glitch occurs privately in her office when she receives a replica of the notorious Jade Dagger, the key
item in the Mayan exhibit. Old Mayan legend says that a Jaguar God cursed the dagger. This curse never has settled well with
Anna, her father was one in a party who stumbled upon the dagger in South America. He died in an earthquake shortly after.
While Anna holds little belief in the curse, she also fears it.
The next morning, Anna discovers the dagger has been stolen despite the fail-proof security system. When
the security guard, who was on duty the night before, is found dead from an apparent drug overdose, Detective Gil Garcia is
certain the guard was murdered. Immediately, Anna becomes the prime suspect for both the murder and the theft. Despite the
attentions of a demented stalker, the police continue focusing on Anna. Can she prove her innocence and keep herself from
the stalker’s hands? Will Gil listen to that inner nagging doubt that tells him there is more to this case than meets the
eye?
Ms. Lee excels in stories written with crisp, descriptive dialogue and lively pace. UNDER SUSPICION is a
great choice for those who are looking for a great mystery with plenty of twists. The colorful cast of potential suspects
will keep even the most avid mystery fan guessing.
However for this reader, the romance aspect fell a little short. Gil was too busy trying to link Anna to
the crimes to build any true passion for her. Also Gil has his own personal problems, which distract him from building a new
relationship. Anna seems shell-shocked given the theft, murder and limbo in which her job seems to be hanging. Both
characters seem to be at the wrong point to find any solace in each other.
Sensitive readers may also want to be warned that within this story, there are a few episodes of domestic
violence between Gil’s fifteen-year-old daughter and her older boyfriend. This does not play a major part of the story,
but I personally would have appreciated a little more closure to that facet of the story than was offered.
Despite that one little complaint, UNDER SUSPICION does contain a strong mystery element. This component
will appeal to her fans, old and new, as well as readers who are new to her stories.
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