From Publishers Weekly
The murder of a colleague--with a paleolithic ax--tempts archeologist Dr. Jeffrey Flint to put ambition over principle in this nicely constructed whodunit. After the death of Tom Aitken, Flint is invited to oversee an excavation on the grounds of northern England's historic Shadesmoor Castle. The anti-establishment Flint would normally spurn such an offer, since Shadesmoor is being developed into an American-style amusement park, but the project also carries an appointment as a university lecturer. Aitken's death seems to have resulted from a bungled burglary, and the police have a suspect in hand. Still, Flint can't help looking into things on his own, even as his involvement costs him his relationship with his newswoman girlfriend and the loyalty of his assistant. Flint would like to pin the crime on the developer of Shadesmoor, but evidence points in another direction. While other suspects and other crimes further twist the tale, Foss (Shadow in the Corn) never plays less than fair with his readers. Foss, a specialist in Roman pottery, offers a well-drawn hero and gives his archeological effects, especially as applied to forensics, a satisfying authenticity.
Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
After the previous project leader is murdered, Dr. Jason Flint leaps at the opportunity to leave the boredom of his academic position to take over the excavation of Shadesmoor castle before a massive tourist development begins. Joining the archaeology faculty at a nearby university involves him in academic intrigue while at the same time he must keep the developers at bay, investigate the murder of his predecessor, and continue digging. Foss is the pen name of a British archaeology professor who is an expert on Roman pottery and has written two earlier books about Dr. Flint and his investigations (Byron's Shadow, Severn House, 1995, and Shadow in the Corn, Severn House, 1994). Foss interweaves his insider's academic experience and archaeological knowledge in a complex plot that manages to remain lightweight and fun. For larger collections.?Roland C. Person, Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
