The King's Lizard: A Tale of Murder and Deception in Old Santa Fe

Wonderfully written imagery. Could not put the book down. I will search carefully for more books with equal stimulation to continue my new fantasy of living in early New Mexico. Cristie knows what she's writing about. Will there be another book soon? Will there be a sequel? I read this one on the train passing through the same area, hardly looked out the window, because the book describes the local climate so well. A very believable fiction.

Usually when History's a Mystery, it's because someone didn't study. That's not true in the case of Pamela Christie's THE KING'S LIZARD. This history-loving author combined thoroughly-done homework with a great sense of whodun it, to create a murder mystery in old Santa Fe that will have even the most seasoned mystery reader on the edge of his or her seat. It's the 1770s in Santa Fe, the frontier outpost capitol of New Spain. Someone wants to undercut the governor's attempt to stop the endless warfare between Navajos, Hispanics, and Apaches. But who? The governor calls on Nando to find out. Half Spanish and half Apache, the son of a respected Spanish don, Nando slips easily between different segments of society. He knows how to appear and disappear as needed. Like a desert lizard, he can hide in cracks and corners, remembering all he hears. He can also engage people in seemingly innocent conversation that reveals much about them, and about the city's political situation. The Franciscian priest who despises Nando for some reason might be against the governor. So might the son of one of the frontier's highest officials. He might also be involved in the illegal trade of selling captured Indian children to Spanish Haciendias as slaves. Nando's own cousin might have a hand in undercutting the peace process And what about the strange object Nando finds on the road? He has no idea what it is. Could it be the key to the entire puzzle? Pamela Christie has the knack of letting the reader pose, and think he or she has answered those questions and many others before THE KING'S LIZARD comes to a very surprising, but utterly sensible ending. Evewn more fun, she has thoroughly researched the appearance and layout of historic Santa Fe. Anyone who is familiar with the city will recognize downtown, San Francisco Street, the central plaza, and that wonderful 400-year-old building, The Palace of the Governors. The Palace is the oldest structure in continuous use in the United States. The King's Lizard is fun, suspenseful, well researched, and full of suprises. There's even a touch of romance. Pamela Christie's style is easy to follow but never boring. THE KING'S LIZARD is a fun read.

Dive into the human world of early New Mexico that is not revealed in standard history, but can only be recreated by a novelist's enlightened imagination. The author did her history homework, then apparently channeled this remarkable story. The imagery is crystal-clear. It's enjoyable, and gives me a greater appreciation for my favorite part of the USA.

I had expected to get a week out of this book but it was like a box of excellent chocolate. Once I started I couldn't stop, and I finished it that same night. How interestingly and well written! Doubly interesting if you know anything about the history of the Spanish in America. Even if you don't this book will be your personalized introduction to a little-known and fascinating world. This history is couched as a murder(s) mystery, and in the manner of the other, more famous, Christie the denouement came right at the end as a great AHA! Nando is a perfect character for a passel of sequels. Why can't find other Pamela Christie books? Anybody know of some? Is she related to Agatha?