"Thrilling mystery with lively characters."

She's 3" tall and over 25,000 years old. Or is she? That's the question Lara McClintoch must answer. With the clues and lies given to her by six old college chums, Lara follows her instincts and unravels a shroud of mystery surrounding the discovery of the Magyar Venus.

C. J. Piper's diary, beginning in 1900, places the Magyar Venus in Hungary, where it's found in a cave along with skeletal remains. Over the years, the items from the dig are misplaced, stolen or set out of sight, only to be rediscovered and turn up in a museum in New York city.

Over the course of a few weeks, as Lara jets to London and Budapest and hones in on the truth, she must confront suicide, murder, cheating, infidelity, lies, drugs, ghosts and a patronizing ex-husband. But it's a "good old boys club" in London at the turn of the 20th century, which gives her the best lead in solving this puzzle.

Hamilton has executed a thrilling mystery full of flawed but lively characters, each with his/her own agenda. And the heroine made me root for her to the end. I highly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Shayne Sawyer
Courtesy Old Book Barn Gazette
Posted March 10, 2004

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Summary

Lyn Hamilton's archaeological mysteries, featuring globe- trotting antique dealer Lara McClintoch, bring the world to readers. Publishers Weekly said of The Thai Amulet, "the author does a fine job of blending history with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the Orient." Now, a suspicious suicide, a rekindled flame, and a twenty-five-thousand-year-old artifact lead Lara to the fascinating city of Budapest.