Last Breath
A
Thriller in the "Last" Trilogy
Mariah
Stewart
Ballantine Books (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 0-345-49224-2 (0345492242)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-49224-1 (9780345492241)
Publication Date: July 2007
List Price: $19.95
Synopsis (from
the publisher): As renowned archaeologist Dr. Daria McGowan readies the
most important project of her career–a University museum
exhibit showcasing the priceless artifacts her great-grandfather
unearthed a century earlier in the Middle East–she makes a
shocking discovery: many of the most significant pieces have vanished.
Panicked, Daria turns to the FBI.
Solving the mystery is an assignment that Connor Shields is more than
happy to accept: Daria is the same intriguing blonde archaeologist
he’s had on his mind since their paths first crossed two
years ago. Working together to track down the stolen artifacts, Daria
and Connor discover a trail of bodies–collectors who have met
brutal, bizarre ends at the hands of a killer whose murderous methods
are based on the rituals of an ancient civilization.
Amid rumors of a curse and mounting pressure from both the FBI and the
University, Daria and Connor race to unmask their enemy and unravel a
mystery stretching across oceans and centuries. All the while, an
ingenious murderer follows a sinister plan to gather the coveted
antiquities and one last acquisition–Daria.
Review:
Archaeologist Daria McGowen returns from a dig in Iran to oversee the
display of artifacts unearthed by her great-grandfather a century ago
in Last Breath,
the third and final entry in this trilogy of thrillers by Mariah
Stewart.
The fabled city of Shandihar in the Middle East had been buried beneath
the desert sands after an earthquake a thousand years ago, its
treasures presumably lost forever. In the early 20th century, Alister
McGowen, with the backing of a wealthy patron, Benjamin Howe,
discovered the city and its artifacts, the most important of which he
carefully cataloged and crated to be shipped to the US. 100 years
later, these artifacts are to be displayed in a new museum at the
university founded by the patron, Howe University. Daria, McGowen's
great-granddaughter, is asked to coordinate the effort. To her shock
and dismay, she finds several important artifacts missing ... possibly
stolen. She immediately calls FBI Agent Conner Shields, a man she had
met in Morocco on her way home. Working together, they discover a
number of "collectors" who have acquired the pieces. Visiting each of
their homes, Daria and Connor find the owners dead, tortured by methods
described in the annals of the ancient city, and the artifacts gone. As
they continue their investigation, they learn of a woman who calls
herself the Goddess of Darkness, a high priestess of Shandihar, and her
guardians who obey her every command, including one to kill Daria and
Connor before they can expose her.
Last Breath
is an excellent book in so many ways. The archaeological information is
detailed enough to be interesting without being overwhelming, and
significantly enhances the overall plot. The emotional highs and lows
Daria experiences are realistically portrayed and add value to the
story. And finally, and maybe most important of all, the mystery of who
stole the artifacts and why make for a compelling and fast paced
thriller.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Last Breath and to Book Trends for providing a copy of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved.
Mysteries in this trilogy ...
Last Look
Ballantine (Mass Market Paperback), May 2007
ISBN-10: 0-345-49222-6 (0345492226)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-49222-7 (9780345492227)
Last Words
Ballantine (Mass Market Paperback), June 2007
ISBN-10: 0-345-49223-4 (0345492234)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-49223-4 (9780345492234)
Last Breath
Ballantine (Hardcover), July 2007
ISBN-10: 0-345-49224-2 (0345492242)
ISBN-13: 978-0-345-49224-1 (9780345492241)
Omnimystery keywords for Last Breath ...
Location(s) referenced:Iran.