Effigies

A Faye Longchamp Mystery, Book 3

By: Mary Anna Evans

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Archaeologist Faye Longchamp and her friend Joe Wolf Mantooth have traveled to Neshoba County, Mississippi, to help excavate a site near Nanih Waiya, the sacred mound where tradition says the Choctaw Nation was born. When farmer Carroll Calhoun refuses their request to investigate a nearby mound on his land, Faye and her colleagues are disappointed, but his next action breaks their hearts: He tries to bulldoze the huge relic to the ground. Faye and Joe rush to protect history - with their bodies, if necessary.

Soon the Choctaws arrive to defend the mound, and the farmer’s white and black neighbors come to defend his property rights. Though a popular young sheriff is able to defuse the situation, tempers are short.

But then that night, Calhoun is found dead, his throat sliced with a handmade stone blade. Was he killed by an archaeologist angered by his wanton destruction of history? Or, since local farmers have been plowing up stone tools like the murder weapon for centuries, did one of them take this chance to even the score with an old rival?

The sheriff is well aware that Faye and Joe were near the spot where Calhoun’s body was found and that their combined knowledge of stone tools is impressive. They had motive, means, and opportunity - but so does almost everyone in Neshoba County.

Mary Anna Evans has degrees in physics and engineering. She is the author of the award-winning Faye Longchamp mysteries.

©2006 Mary Anna Evans (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“We mystery lovers who’ve enjoyed Artifacts and then decided that Relics was even better may not believe this but Ms. Evans has done it again, and Effigies is the best one yet. Again, she makes a lesson in our past a fascinating read.” (Tony Hillerman, New York Times best-selling author)

“In all three of Faye Longchamp's adventures, Mary Anna Evans has given us insights into little-known aspects of America’s past. As an archeological tour alone, the book would be worth reading, but it’s the fascinating and complex characters that give the story life and vibrancy.” (Rhys Bowen, Anthony and Agatha award-winning author)

“Though Evans has been compared to Tony Hillerman, her sympathetic characters and fascinating archeological lore add up to a style all her own.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Another interesting story

Once again Mary Anna Evans has mixed fact with fiction to write a gripping story. I especially love the author’s notes at the end which explained how much was fact, how much fiction and how much may be true. I also loved the Indian Legends.

Another good story

I enjoy the characters and the exploration of cultural historical info and tales. Storyline is gripping.

Fantastic!!

I could not stop listening to this book! I love how the author combines legends of the Choctaw people into this book, as well as making the attempt to shine a light on bigotry in general, and in the South as a stereotype.

This is a wonderful book and I can't wait for the next!!

Wonderful Mystery

I love the mysteries written by Ms.Evens. The story line is very gripping, the characters are very strong, and the narrator's voice is pleasing.

Great read.

Great read. Suspenseful and interesting cultural background narrative, exploring America's heritage through the eyes of charming main characters.