by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this review on how to enter to win a copy of Quicksand. There is also a link to purchase the book where a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy.

Historian Jaya Jones should be happy: she’s on her way to tenure at Berkeley University, has been published in a prominent journal, and has a wonderfully settled life in a great apartment near her friends and family. So why is she so bored?

Jaya misses the excitement brought into her life by Lane Peters, a reformed art thief whose attempt to live a straight life as an art historian continues to be derailed by his past criminal acts. Although Lane operated on a Robin-Hood ethic of stealing from those he felt were undeserving and hoarded art away from the public, other far less civil-minded criminals continue to ensnare him for his stellar chameleon-like skills and equally brilliant mind.

Despite Lane’s declaration that he would protect Jaya by staying out of her life, she is more than a little thrilled by a first-class plane ticket and note asking that she join him in Paris. Even though it’s the beginning of the semester, the lure of research connected to the French East India Company is one that neither Jaya nor her dean can resist. Once Jaya gets off the plane nothing goes as expected, with letters from 1793 and the threat of the demolition of Jaya’s career forcing the couple to invade the Louvre, collaborate with a brilliant magician/inventor, and journey to the beautiful and historically-rich Mont Saint-Michel.

The joy of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery series is in unexpected and unpredictable plots that are as action-packed as any Indiana Jones movie. The historical lore is similarly fascinating, and Jaya’s love of history is contagious. Her relationship with Lane is refreshingly mature; they trust each another unwaveringly even though each one has every logical reason to suspect the other of deceit. Jaya herself is an extremely likable and impulsive heroine whose sense of humor and steadfast ethics balance out Lane’s flexible moral sensibilities.

Although Jaya knows she has the “perfect life” back in Berkeley, it’s only when she is involved in adventures with Lane that she truly feels alive. This third in the series is a ride of suspenseful action, elaborate scams, and witty dialogue. The villains are as wily as the heroes and every twist is intelligent and unexpected, ensuring that this is a novel that will delight lovers of history, romance, and elaborate capers alike.

To enter to win a copy of Quicksand, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “Quicksand,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen March 28, 2015. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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Click on this link to purchase this book and you will be supporting an indie bookstore & a portion goes to help support KRL.

Quicksand

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).