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Jaya Jones’ ex-boyfriend, Rupert, recently died in a car crash in Scotland. On the day she learns of his death Jaya receives a package from Rupert post marked the day of his death with a jewel encrusted artifact enclosed. Suspecting Rupert’s death is on an accident Jaya enlists the help of Lane Peters, art history graduate student and first year professor at Berkley, to figure out the origin of the artifact. One thing leads to another and Jaya finds herself on an international quest for buried treasure. Jaya Jones is an intelligent and brave young woman. She is compassionate, level head and an endearing character that is fun to read about. Gigi Pandian does a wonderful job of creating twists and turns that the reader doesn’t see coming. This was a great start to a promising series. I can’t wait to read what else is in store for all the characters in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries.
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One of my bookclubs chooses mysteries by theme rather than by title or author and each member reads one or more books that fit the theme. This month, it’s “Scientific Occupations” so when I was given the opportunity to read Artifact, I thought, how perfect, I can kill the proverbial two birds and, hopefully, enjoy the double task.
And enjoy it I have. Artifact is a well-done entry in the field of archaeological mysteries with a taste of the historical British India that we westerners don’t often get. Jaya and art historian Lane Peters, a new acquaintance with an interest in the potential treasure, follow up leads to find the rest of the jewels and get to the bottom of why Jaya’s ex-boyfriend, Rupert, sent a piece to her. The fact that he died just after sending the package is too much of a coincidence and both Jaya and Lane have suspicions about the people they come across during the hunt.
Secondary characters, such as Professor Malcolm Alpin, Rupert’s best friend, Knox Bailey, and a pub regular named Fergus with a fervent belief in a dark fayrie known as the bean nighe lend a richness to the tale. (Even the Tuatha Dé Danann, a group of former Irish deities, come into the mix and that appealed to me as they are an integral part of another series I love dearly.) Twists abound and Jaya finds that there is much she doesn’t know about some of the people involved. Add in the gloomy, menacing environment of a rainy, rocky coast and an arrest that takes Jaya completely by surprise and you have the makings of an atmospheric, fast-paced mystery.
Ms. Pandian received the Malice Domestic Grant, awarded to foster unpublished writers working in the traditional mystery genre, and any readers who are reluctant to pick up a self-published novel can rest assured they won’t be wasting their time with this one. Ms. Pandian proved herself to people who are actively involved in and supportive of the good work of undiscovered mystery writers and she proved to me that they weren’t mistaken. Artifact is the first of a series and I am already looking forward to the next treasure hunt.
RisWritesLH
Posted September 18, 2012
Some of my favorite authors growing up were Elizabeth Peters, Barbara Michaels, Agatha Christie, and Mary Stewart. As I began reading ARTIFACT, I was instantly reminded of my love for these authors and their stories through Gigi Pandian's writing. She balances humor, history, romance and international locations with a light hand, but with a story that is compelling and thrilling. I felt like my high school self, eschewing all my duties to continue reading this wonderful adventure. (Except now, instead of reading during Algebra, I found myself at my stove, stirring risotto, while reading).
The treasure hunt is fun. The international setting is interesting. The history and archaeology are fascinating. But the characters -- Jaya Jones, Lane, and Rupert -- really kept me involved in the story. Can't wait for Jaya's next adventure, and I really hope a certain someone is involved! I LOVED this book. And love that I can recommend to middle & high schoolers as well.
hfineisen
Posted September 9, 2012
This debut featuring historian extrordinaire Dr. Jaya Jones could and should develop a great following. Artifact is a fun and informative introduction to a cast of characters as diverse as Dr. Jones is, and Pandian captures the quirks and distinctions with aplomb. Conversation is one of the most enjoyable features of this mystery as Pandian has a knack for dialogue and cadence that is charming without turning anyone into a caricature of their nationality. The romance is not overdone, and there is much to look forward to in future installments as we learn more about Lane, the love interest, and Jaya herself. The historical and archeological facts interspersed throughout made this most enjoyable and I can only hope this continues in the next adventure. And I will be reading the next adventure...
This was a goodreads giveaway.
DAinNY1
Posted September 8, 2012
When Jaya receives a package from her ex-boyfriend who has suddenly died, Jaya is off and takes us on a fast-paced adventure filled with archeological intrigue and mayhem. The author did a good job in keeping me guessing throughout most of this page-turning drama. The writing was good, the dialogue entertaining and Jaya is a character that I'm interested in learning more about and I can't wait for the next book in this enjoyable debut series.
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Posted August 29, 2012
Great adventure with an easy to love heroin!
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