Secrets in Stones
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- €1.99
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- €1.99
Publisher Description
A polyglot group of archaeologists, tourists, and journalists gather in the atmospheric Vallée des Prêtres , high up in the Franco-Italian Alps. They are there to witness the authentication by renowned archaeologist, Sir Hilary Compton, of Bronze Age rock drawings recently discovered by up and coming young archaeologist, Oliver Hardcastle.
When Sir Hilary deems the new drawings fakes tensions among the academics run high. Then Oliver hardcastle's body is found floating in a treacherous pool named the Lake of Shadows.
Private investigator, Ulysses F Donaghue, who numbers amongst the tourists is called upon to investigate Hardcastle's death.
With its unexpected twist in the tail, Secrets in Stones confirms the Donaghue mysteries as perfect descendants of the classic Christie whodunit.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The second ingenious puzzler starring London PI and scholar Ulysses Finnegan Donaghue (Mr. Donaghue Investigates) gathers a disparate cast in the remote, rugged Alpine Valee des Pretres where, 20 years earlier, archeologist Sir Hilary Compton had discovered Bronze Age rock drawings. Handsome Oliver Hardcastle, rising young archeological star, has found additional drawings there, as well as some unlikely hieroglyphics. Are they authentic or are they fakes? Compton and Hardcastle, along with students, other academics, hikers and a reporter, check into the valley refuge. Donaghue and his gorgeous secretary, Bridget, are vacationing there with old friend Clothilde Blanche, retired plastic surgeon and dedicated outdoorswoman. Some interesting romances blossom, and jealous tensions simmer, too, exacerbated by a storm and a rock fall that cuts off the site. Three plot threads are meticulously woven together: Hardcastle's annotated list of the nine women present, all of whom he planned to seduce during the five-day visit; the assessment of the new pictures and deciphering the hieroglyphics; and Hardcastle's sudden, mysterious death in the dangerous Lake of the Shadows. The strands of the plot lead to a conclusion both surprising and logical.
