I just read three book by archeologists Kathleen and W. Michael Gear. They specialize in North American Native archeology and have written a number of fiction books based on their vast expertise. This series takes place in both modern times and aroudn 1200 B.C. The main characters are archeologists and anthropologists uncovering a site from the Anasazi era and finding all kinds of unexpected and slightly macabre pieces to their puzzle. The story keeps rolling between their findings and what was actually going on in the Anasazi world, where murder and fear are ripe. There are also a lot of parallels between the main modern characters and their historical counterparts. I found myself always wanting to know who-dunn-it, as well as wanting to know about the characters lives in our own day and time. There are also a lot of sub-themes regarding ancient theology, extinction theory and other things I find interesting. I suppose it helps that all of this fascinates me.
In case I have turned you off with the last bit, these books are not heavy in an academic sense at all. They read quickly and keep a quick pace that sucks you in.
P.S. The Anasazi were a native people living in cliff dwellings throughout the New Mexico area. They thrived for a number of years and then vanished from the historical record. There is a lot of debate about why, and the Gears keep you informed of all this as well as the historical context through the story.
Anyhow, if you're looking for something different, you might enjoy this twist on the everyday murder mystery. Oh, the first book is called "The Visitant" and the series is called the Anasazi Mysteries.
Jen
