CANYON SACRIFICE by Scott Graham has a lot of the elements I enjoy - a Western setting, archaeology, lots of action - but in the end it failed to thrill me. I finished it, but I felt "Well, that's over, where's my next book?"
If I were better at analysis maybe I could pin down why I was disappointed, but all I can say is that I didn't feel involved, and I didn't like the protagonist much. I thought the motive of the villain seemed more like an invention than something that would really happen, but I was just slogging along through the story long before that showed up. So...oh well. The best part of this book is Chuck hiking down a trail in intense heat without enough water. That whole sequence felt very suspenseful. There is interesting material about the Grand Canyon and archaeology. Graham has two other books in this series, so he's found an audience, and anything that might inspire people to go to and enjoy our National Parks is a good thing in anyone's book.
If I were better at analysis maybe I could pin down why I was disappointed, but all I can say is that I didn't feel involved, and I didn't like the protagonist much. I thought the motive of the villain seemed more like an invention than something that would really happen, but I was just slogging along through the story long before that showed up. So...oh well. The best part of this book is Chuck hiking down a trail in intense heat without enough water. That whole sequence felt very suspenseful. There is interesting material about the Grand Canyon and archaeology. Graham has two other books in this series, so he's found an audience, and anything that might inspire people to go to and enjoy our National Parks is a good thing in anyone's book.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Canyon Sacrifice is going to make you see the Grand Canyon in a whole new way. Chuck Bender is the perfect guide, as he weaves strands of geology, park history, Native American culture, and archaeology into a good old action-packed page turner.
I loved how Graham put together all the canyon lore in a non-academic, non-preachy manner that tells readers just as much about the characters as it does the Grand Canyon itself. Chuck Bender is a fascinating main character. He's a loner who's been running his own archaeology business for years, so getting used to being part of a family is going to be a huge adjustment for him to begin with-- but to start things off with a kidnapping? As Bender races to save his daughter, he learns quite a bit about himself and what he thinks is most important in life.
Probably my favorite section in the book is Chuck's hike down into the canyon. It's a race against time that could very well kill him. The entire episode tells us a great deal about Bender the man, as well as the respect with which the Grand Canyon should be treated.
Graham also shows skill in plotting a mystery, and now that he has his main character well established, I'm really looking forward to the next books in this series. His secondary characters need to have a chance to shine, too.
If you're a reader who loves Nevada Barr or C.J. Box, chances are excellent that you'll enjoy this first National Park mystery. Give it a try.
I loved how Graham put together all the canyon lore in a non-academic, non-preachy manner that tells readers just as much about the characters as it does the Grand Canyon itself. Chuck Bender is a fascinating main character. He's a loner who's been running his own archaeology business for years, so getting used to being part of a family is going to be a huge adjustment for him to begin with-- but to start things off with a kidnapping? As Bender races to save his daughter, he learns quite a bit about himself and what he thinks is most important in life.
Probably my favorite section in the book is Chuck's hike down into the canyon. It's a race against time that could very well kill him. The entire episode tells us a great deal about Bender the man, as well as the respect with which the Grand Canyon should be treated.
Graham also shows skill in plotting a mystery, and now that he has his main character well established, I'm really looking forward to the next books in this series. His secondary characters need to have a chance to shine, too.
If you're a reader who loves Nevada Barr or C.J. Box, chances are excellent that you'll enjoy this first National Park mystery. Give it a try.
