Customer Reviews

Bound for Eternity

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Most good fiction today combines expert knowledge of something with an interesting plot -they makes us feel as if we are taking an educational vacation. Sarah knows alot about Egyptian Mummies and hard pressed archaeological museums. You can smell the dust, feel the fur, taste the wine, see the blood, and nod your head at the Filemaker Pro frustrations. It's a darn good read and cheaper than a Sierra Club vacation. My only question is when is the next one coming?

Sarah Wisseman works as an archaeologist at the University of Illinois, directing the Program on Ancient Technologies and Archaeological Materials. She has also written a second Lisa Donahue mystery entitled THE DEAD SEA CODEX, based on her experiences living in Israel in the 1970's.

Archaeologist Lisa Donahue is working as a temporary curator at the Boston University Museum of Archaeology. The tale opens with the x-ray of an ancient mummy from Roman times, who appears to be a young child. A team of scientists, doctors, and archaeologists team together to examine the Roman period Egyptian mummy. Lisa is also competing for a permanent position with another temporary archaeologist. True to the academic world, competition brings out the best and worst in the department; the worst being the discovery of a body in the museum, which turns out to be Lisa's friend and co-worker. Someone has something big to hide, and Lisa's co-workers suddenly turn into murder suspects. To add to the fun, Lisa has met and fallen in love with her best friend and co-worker's steady squeeze:

"'He dumped me. We had a dinner date the other night. Halfway through dessert he told me it wouldn't work, that he'd met someone else.' Ellen was indignant. 'I can't believe it. We had such a good thing going. I think I'll give him a little cooling off period and call him again. Maybe the new lady will disappear.'

'I'm sorry,' I said insincerely. Ellen didn't seem that upset, so I wasn't worried about her emotional well-being--just her notorious temper. Was I the 'someone else?' There was something about the way James had looked at me...this could get really sticky. Would he call, now that he was no longer dating Ellen? If he did, would I agree to see him? Would we..."

Wisseman does a great job of combining 'archaeology for dummies,' 'museum management for dummies,' and a great plot with lots of action and interesting characters to make her first Lisa Donahue mystery provocative, page-turning entertainment. It is always fun to read about mummies, and Wisseman corrects some of the folklore regarding archaeology and mummies. BOUND FOR ETERNITY is crisp and seductive.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer

With a liking for archaeology/anthropology based mysteries, I tried this first novel with some anxiety. The anxiety was misplaced, as this tale of museum, mummy and murder is first-rate. Ms. Wisseman clearly knows her stuff, and the story is full of forensic detail, fascinating science, and believable characters. A tidy plot and likable heroine make for a most enjoyable story. Looking forward to more adventures for Lisa Donahue. Highly recommended.

Lisa Donahue, museum curator, returns the new Egyptian mummy after having it x-rayed at a local clinic. She discovers the bloody body of her colleague, Marion, in the mummy's empty case.

Lisa is a widowed young mother. She has to juggle her job and being a mother. Now she's taking on sleuthing to figure out who killed Marion and why.

Marion had mentioned to Lisa that she felt that some artifacts were missing and others were misplaced. The museum is quite old and there are promises of moving to a new facility. Lisa isn't sure whether the artifacts are really missing or if they have been stored for the move. Since Marion cataloged all the artifacts, now no one knows for sure.

As Lisa gets to know more about the mummy, she begins to wonder whether Marion was killed because she knew something, or someone thought she did. Now Lisa wonders whether she might be next.

I really enjoyed this book. It is the first I have read by this author. It will definitely not be the last.

Lisa is such a wonderful character. Her friends and new love interest really add to the story. I can't wait to find out about their next adventure.

I highly recommend this book.