The Summoning God: Book II of the Anasazi Mysteries

I got this triogy after seeing a lot of other reviews at first all I cared about was the indian half of the books. but I read the other modern half and liked it just as much. The entire triogy was great.

This second book in the Ansazi mystery series is as thrlling and exciting as The Visitant. I for one happen to love the mix of old and new story lines that thread through the book. In fact, the murders and even the pehistoric lifestyle and characters are so well written that it didn't feel like I was reading history. The story is probably one of the most violent and graphic of all the Gear's books, but that was what it was really like back then. If you like heart-stopping action and a really well-crafted mystery this is the book for you. Be prepared though to be hooked, as it looks like there are more to come in this series since this book does leave unsettled things as did the last one.

Simply put I was disappointed......when I finished the book that is! As always the Gears have kept me captive - I hated to see the book end and lament that I have about a year to wait for the next one!

This second book in the Anasazi Mysteries series continues the expert mixing of past and present, science and myth,excellent archeological, anthropological and historical detail with the myths and mysteries of life in a 13th century Native American pueblo. Contemporary archeologist Dusty Stewart and physical anthropologist Maureen Cole attempt to decipher the evidence of an ancient Anasazi kiva containing scattered charred bones of children and skinned bones of elderly women while Katsina chief, Browser, his female warrior companion, Catkin and his uncle, holy man, Stone Ghost,seek to solve the mystery of the ruthless murders of children and two Matrons of two of the villages. The 13th century Native Americans struggle with ghosts of the dead and the witch Two Hearts while Dusty and Maureen try to come to grips with their own ghosts and their difference in approach to Native American culture. Parallel to these struggles are struggles of the heart and of culture, family and tradition exemplified in the complex relationships between Browser and Catkin;Straighthorn and Redcrop; Dusty and Maureen. There are various kinds of mystery--scientific, relational, religious and real. There is murder and terror and much to excite a "good read." One also comes to "care" for the characters and thus you want to follow their paths to success or defeat. One also has an errie feeling that the cultural disruption, cruelty and the holy wars of the 13th century have frightening parallels to our own time. This tale is one that will delight fans of Kay Scarpetta as well as those of Hillerman while also pleasing those interssted in history, archeology, anthropology and Native American culture. I, for one, look forward to Book 3.

In the thirteenth century, the site today known as Pueblo Animos was called Longtrail Village. Its residents converted to the new Katsina religion. Times were harsh as war and pestilence swept across the Anasazi people forcing bands to merge into large numbers for safety.Twenty-first century archeologist Dusty Stewart and physical anthropologist Maureen Cole explore the untouched Pueblo Animos. They discover a massacre of at least forty children under the age of six, the skinning of females, and some evidence of cannibalism. The empathic Dusty feels the past horrors that have engulfed this sight.In 1263, enemies attack the village. Browser, war chief of the Katsina, desperately wants to save his people, but wonders if witches are involved. As the murderers become bolder, Browser realizes that victory today only delays the inevitable decimation of his people.Maureen concludes that the evil of the past is influencing Dusty. She steps outside the comfort of science to seek help from a local expert, a shaman. As past and present meet, Maureen and Dusty will be freed from the chains that bind them.Chapters fluidly alternate between the past and the present, but the Gears manage to maintain a sense of continuity in the story line. That enables THE SUMMONING GOD to turn into a fascinating reading experience. The everyday details of the Anasazi culture seem genuine and add to the overall historical subplot. The relationship between Dusty and Maureen is an intriguing blend of distrust, unwanted attraction, and passion (more often with the sight than with each other). Though not easily categorized, fans that want something different will fully relish this tale.Harriet Klausner