Effigies

By: Mary Anna Evans

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

Archaeologist Faye Longchamp and her friend Joe Wolf Mantooth have traveled to Neshoba County, Mississippi, to help excavate a site near Nanih Waiya, the sacred mound where tradition says the Choctaw Nation was born. When farmer Carroll Calhoun refuses their request to investigate a nearby mound on his land, Faye and her colleagues are disappointed, but his next action breaks their hearts: He tries to bulldoze the huge relic to the ground. Faye and Joe rush to protect history - with their bodies, if necessary.

Soon the Choctaws arrive to defend the mound, and the farmer’s white and black neighbors come to defend his property rights. Though a popular young sheriff is able to defuse the situation, tempers are short.

But then that night, Calhoun is found dead, his throat sliced with a handmade stone blade. Was he killed by an archaeologist angered by his wanton destruction of history? Or, since local farmers have been plowing up stone tools like the murder weapon for centuries, did one of them take this chance to even the score with an old rival?

The sheriff is well aware that Faye and Joe were near the spot where Calhoun’s body was found and that their combined knowledge of stone tools is impressive. They had motive, means, and opportunity - but so does almost everyone in Neshoba County.

Mary Anna Evans has degrees in physics and engineering. She is the author of the award-winning Faye Longchamp mysteries.

©2006 Mary Anna Evans (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

“We mystery lovers who’ve enjoyed Artifacts and then decided that Relics was even better may not believe this but Ms. Evans has done it again, and Effigies is the best one yet. Again, she makes a lesson in our past a fascinating read.” (Tony Hillerman, New York Times best-selling author)

“In all three of Faye Longchamp's adventures, Mary Anna Evans has given us insights into little-known aspects of America’s past. As an archeological tour alone, the book would be worth reading, but it’s the fascinating and complex characters that give the story life and vibrancy.” (Rhys Bowen, Anthony and Agatha award-winning author)

“Though Evans has been compared to Tony Hillerman, her sympathetic characters and fascinating archeological lore add up to a style all her own.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Not just a Mystery- but great Historical Fiction!

Any additional comments?

I love everything about this series, including author notes at the end at the end of each book that clarifies facts versus fiction, and where to find more information on the topics used in her plots. Interpersonal relationships are complex but love interests clean enough to keep it from being labeled a "romance". And if the science doesn't inspire a new generation of archeologists, ...then maybe someone should check for a blood pressure...

A very good read

This one was not as good as the first two books, but still very good. In this installment, Faye and Joe are in Mississippi digging on the Choctaw Indian reservation. There are a lot of characters and stories to follow and the plot is solid and believable. The background research into the history of the Choctaw Indians was very thorough and interesting. There is more character development for Faye and Joe. The only thing that bothered me about the book is that it was obvious who committed the crimes and why. The fact that Faye overlooked the obvious was annoying. If I could give this book 4 and a half stars I would. It's great story and series. I am moving on to the next book..

No More for Me

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. The story just did not hold my interest. I find Faye's character unbelievable and the mysteries to be light and too easy to figure out. I also am not looking for a romance in my mysteries.

Would you be willing to try another book from Mary Anna Evans? Why or why not?

No. I have listened to 3 and do not like the undertone to each book. Faye has a big chip on her shoulder and as a character in RELICS told her, "This is the 21st Century. Move on" or something to that effect.

What didn’t you like about Cassandra Campbell’s performance?

Her voice is very annoying. She reads Faye in a breathy voice, then attempts an accent for other characters that always fails. There is a sarcastic tone to her reading.

Did Effigies inspire you to do anything?

Yes, it inspired me to remove the remaining books in the series from my Wish Lists at Amazon, Audible, and my public library.

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