The Gold Of Thrace
By Aileen G. Baron
Poisoned Pen Press, $24.95
ISBN: 978-1-59058-430-9
Click here for an interview with the author.

Departing from her historical archaeological mysteries featuring Lily Sampson in the 1940s, Baron introduces Tamar Saticoy, a young female archaeologist directing an excavation in 1990 Turkey. The death of one of her student workers during a museum robbery signals the start of the violence that Tamar encounters as priceless artifacts attract a cabal of greedy profiteers. Hoping to recover pieces of the stolen mosaic from the black market, Tamar journeys to Switzerland where she encounters the charming antiquities dealer Gilberto Dela Barcolo and his rival, the equally attractive Italian Enzio Egidio. Still haunted by her husband's murder by thieves, Tamar is determined to protect her beloved artifacts and ferret out who has stolen the objects she values for their place in history more than for their actual monetary worth.

Readers who miss the early archaeological mysteries of Elizabeth Peters will rejoice in this new mystery by Baron, who herself holds a doctorate in archaeology, taught in the Department of Archaeology at Cal State Fullerton, and done fieldwork in the Middle East. A side plot that has Tamar's co-director chasing down a newly excavated source of gold distracts from Tamar's investigation, but ultimately the two plots are woven together. What Baron does most successfully is to realistically convey the dilemma faced by archaeologists whose workers see the priceless artifacts of history solely as coins to feed their families. The author brings to life scenes of Turkey and Switzerland along with the culture clash between archaeologists and the sites of their excavation. This is a fast read that is as educational as it is enjoyable.

Review by CINDY CHOW

©2008 Lorie Ham. All rights reserved.