The African Quest (Archaeological Mysteries, No. 5) [Mass Market Paperback]

Lyn Hamilton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2002

Lara McClintoch's Tunisian tour group sails into trouble when the story of a sunken merchant ship stirs one person's murderous interest in finding the priceless artifacts that went down with it. The Archaeological Mysteries are:

"A passport to adventure." (Booklist)

"Captivating." (Mysterious Woman)

"Terrific." (Drood Review of Mystery)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lyn Hamilton is the author of four previous Archaeological Mysteries. Her first, The Xibalba Murders, was nominated by the Crime Writers of Canada Association for the Arthur Ellis Award for Best First Novel. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (January 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425183130
• ISBN-13: 978-0425183137
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #413,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Armchair lovers are going to love this one, February 7, 2001

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The African Quest (Archaeological Mysteries, No. 5) (Hardcover)

Through a quirky set of circumstances, Lara McClintoch finds herself in a partnership with her ex-husband Clive Swain. Clive has grandiose ideas, but expects everyone else to do the work to make them happen. Lara put up with Clive because her best friend is involved with him. She reluctantly agrees to his latest scheme to draw attention to their antique business starting with her acting as a tour guide to the ancient and mysterious North African country of Tunisia.

Lara plans to purchase artifacts and furnishings for a client while guiding her charges. The trip starts off on the right foot. Everyone seems congenial and friendly towards one another. However, over time Lara notices strange happenings amidst the people on the tour. The weirdness turns sinister when guests die in what seems like accidents until finally a clear- cut murder occurs. The local police insist everyone remain in country while they investigate all the deaths. Unable to idly sit by, Lara decides to take matters into her own hands and begins her own investigation.

The exotic world of Northern Africa comes vividly alive within THE AFRICAN QUEST so much so that the audience will believe they accompany Lara on tour. The characters are fully developed, especially the heroine and the who-done-it is engaging. However, what makes Lyn Hamilton's novel worth reading is the varying perspectives of Tunisia seen through the eyes of the tourists, Lara, and the locals, which adds much color to a strong amateur sleuth tale.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good McClintoch Episode, August 21, 2007

By 

AntiochAndy "antiochandy" (Antioch, CA USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The African Quest (Archaeological Mysteries, No. 5) (Mass Market Paperback)

THE AFRICAN QUEST finds Lara McClintoch leading a tour group to North Africa. It seems like a good way to earn extra money and promote the antique store while hunting for antifacts. At least, it seems like a good idea until members of the group start having fatal "accidents".

This is the fifth book in Lyn Hamilton's Lara McClintoch series. Of the five, I've enjoyed THE MOCHE WARRIOR and THE AFRICAN QUEST the most. In THE AFRICAN QUEST, the whodunit is intriguing and well-plotted, with a clearly delineated sequence of events and related clues, and without blind leaps of insight on Lara's part (see THE CELTIC RIDDLE for examples of contrived leaps of insight). In addition, the characters are quirky and interesting, and the Tunisian setting is nicely visualized by Ms. Hamilton.

One of the pleasures of a series is the on-going development of the life of the main character. In this series, readers must take the good outings with the not-so-good to stay current with what's new in Lara McClintoch's life. THE AFRICAN QUEST is one of the good outings. If you're into the series, enjoy this one. If not, this is still a good read. It's a solid four stars in my book.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Too many bodies - too little plot, June 8, 2002

By 

Patricia Heller "Much love, Patricia" (New York, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The African Quest (Archaeological Mysteries, No. 5) (Mass Market Paperback)

When I like Lyn Hamilton's books - and I liked Xibalba and Moche a lot, I like them because there is fascinating archeology and myth to be learned while journeying to interesting places with a cast of characters, appealing and formidable. This one had too many characters, none of whom were likable or frightening, and very little about the art or mythic history of the Carthaginians. I'm looking forward to her next one, but I'd give this a pass.