Ancient Ones [Paperback]

Kirk Mitchell (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Random House Large Print (2004)
• ASIN: B000OXEADQ
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting thriller with an overdone ending, February 7, 2002

By 

M. A Michaud "michael_michaud" (Dulles, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Ones (Mass Market Paperback)

In this book, Mitchell builds a mystery-thriller on a real incident, the discovery of an ancient skeleton in the Pacific Northwest whose features suggest that Caucasians may have peopled North America before migrants from Asia. The two government agents drawn into this case are Native Americans involved with each other in a complex and difficult relationship. The author shows off his knowledge of anthropology and Northwest Indian tribes, making mysticism part of the story. Things move along smartly for the first eighty per cent of the book, with additional violence, several suspects, and lots of misdirection. Unfortunately, the concluding chapters seem overdone (how many anthropologists live in mansions with Bat Caves beneath them?) Don't be misled by the jacket blurb comparing this to Tony Hillerman's work. Mitchell's work is more hard-edged, violent, and sometimes gruesome. The conclusion is politically correct but lacks the moral weight of Hillerman's best work.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Quite Hillerman, September 15, 2002

By 

Douglas De Bono - Author of No Safe Harbor (Minnetonka, mn United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Ones (Mass Market Paperback)

Ancient Ones is part of a series featuring two Indian cops. The story revolves around 14,000 year old skelton that could change the pre-history in America. The plot moves along and there are plenty of suspects/bad guys/victims/crazies.

I guess my problem was all the hype comparing this to Tony Hillerman - it isn't. Mr. Mitchell does not catch the pathos of a Hillerman novel, nor should he. However, he does have an engaging voice and a sense of plotting. I thought the sexual politics pushed credulity a bit far and was a bit distracting from main plot.

Overall, it is worth a look.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting police procedual, May 1, 2001

By 

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

This review is from: Ancient Ones (Hardcover)

Illegal fossil hunter Gorka Bilbao found the bones in the John Day Canyon. He turned it over to noted forensic anthropologist Dr. Thaddeus Ranking, who immediately gave it to the Core of Engineers. The University of California at Riverside tested a metacarpal bone and reported that the remains are over 14,000 years old, male, and Caucasian, destroying all the theories on early North American man.

Illegal fossil hunter Gorka Bilbao found the bones in the John Day Canyon. He turned it over to noted forensic anthropologist Dr. Thaddeus Ranking, who immediately gave it to the Core of Engineers. The University of California at Riverside tested a metacarpal bone and reported that the remains are over 14,000 years old, male, and Caucasian, destroying all the theories on early North American man.

The findings upset several groups and fears that violence could occur has the Feds sending Bureau of Indian Affairs Emmett Parker and FBI Anna Turnipseed to not only witness the final examinations of the past, but to keep things safe. However, their presence fails to stop a killer from murdering, leaving the two Feds aware that they must work together to stop the individual before others die.

ANCIENT ONES is at its powerful best when it concentrates on the battle over the authenticity and test results of the fossil. Surprisingly, when the novel turns towards the character development of its two stars especially as wannabe lovers the plot slows down. Kirk Mitchell writes a strong tale that will send readers seeking previous Parker and Turnipseed novels (see CRY DANCE).

Harriet Klausner