The Xibalba Murders: An Archeological Mystery

Great read. A real page turner.

Having just finished the Xibalba Murders, I have to say I was impressed. Not so much by the authenticity of the locales and archaeology, but by the quality of the story. And despite some of the negative reviews, I found the Xibalba Murders a good and satisfying mystery, in the Tony Hillerman sort of way.Without a doubt, Lyn Hamilton does a superb job with her descriptions and feel of Chichen Itza. Although it's been a quite a few years since I've been there, and I have long lost contact with my traveling companions, Cecilia and Irma, it's a place you can never forget. Reading this story made me feel like I had returned. Even Lyn's description of the kindly professor, Dr. Hernan Castillo, was suspiously like a certain professor we encountered at the ruins that just happened to be from Merida.One thing's for sure...Lyn Hamilton knows her people and knows her places. And she also knows how to write!

Well done Ms. Hamilton! A great plot ! You must have done a lot of historical research ! Great idea to combine a murder, with all the suspense related to, with a real scenario and some history behind. I read this book just coming back from my holiday in Yucatan, and believe me you call just have the Maya-Yucatan feeling by reading this book ! Lara Mc Clintoch owner of an antiquary shop in Toronto receives a phone call from Mr. Castillo, betting to join him in Merida, Yucatan. He will explain here then, but when she arrives he disappears. Curious, she wants to discover why the professor called her so misteriously.From now Lara gets deeper and deeper in a mistery that is connected with the Mayan history and she needs all here knowledge in that to understand what happens, and why enemies look like friends and friends look like enemies.

The Spanish Conquistadors may have destroyed the Mayan Civilization, but not the pride Mexicans feel in having Mayan blood flow through their bodies. Former Toronto antiquities' shopkeeper Lara McClintock specializes in Mayan artifact. When her mentor octogenarian Dr. Herran Castillo asks for her help on a mysterious project, Lara immediately flies to Merida, Mexico. ......Merida is a dangerous place as a resurgence of guerrilla warfare occurs, led by twentieth century rebels wanting to return to the glory days of the Mayans. On Lara's first day in town, she finds Herran missing, observes the robbery of a Mayan artifact, and discovers a corpse. When Don Herran is murdered, Lara journeys into the jungle where the rebels and the sacred Mayan treasure lie waiting for her. Lara hopes to be successful in her quest to bring back the treasure that led to her mentor's death. ......Although there is more Mayan history than will interest many readers, the cultural heritage of Mexico actually adds to the overall appeal of THE XIBALBA MURDERS. The excitement, magic, and adventure that is felt while watching an Indiana Jones flick will be felt while reading Lyn Hamilton's wondrous debut novel. ......Harriet Klausner