Artifact

"From practicing psychiatrist and critically acclaimed author of Scary Old Sex ("the kind of bliss that lifts right off ... (more)

"From practicing psychiatrist and critically acclaimed author of Scary Old Sex ("the kind of bliss that lifts right off the page" -Dwight Garner, NYT), Artifact is the dazzling, half-century-spanning story of biologist Lottie Kristin. Born in Michigan in the early 1940s to a taciturn mother and embittered father, Lottie is independent from the start, fascinated with the mysteries of nature and the human body. By age sixteen, she and her sweetheart, cheerful high school sports hero Charlie Hart, have been through a devastatingly traumatic pregnancy. When an injury ends Charlie's football career four years later, the two move to Texas hoping for a fresh start. There, torn between the vitality of the antiwar movement and her family's traditional values, Lottie discovers the joys of motherhood, and reconnects with her interest in biology and experimentation, taking a job as a lab technician. While Charlie's depression pervades their home, Lottie's instinct is toward life; though every step is a struggle, she opts for single motherhood, graduate school, a career, and eventually, a marriage that makes space for all that she is. Bravely and wisely written, Artifact is an intimate and propulsive portrait of a whole woman, a celebration of her refusal to be defined by others' imaginations, and a meditation on the glorious chaos of biological life"-- (less)

"A JEWEL OF AN ADVENTURE. . . "If Indiana Jones had a sister, it would definitely be historian Jaya Jones." - Suspense ... (more)

"A JEWEL OF AN ADVENTURE. . . "If Indiana Jones had a sister, it would definitely be historian Jaya Jones." - Suspense Magazine When historian Jaya Jones receives a mysterious package containing a jewel-encrusted artifact from India, she discovers the secrets of a lost Indian treasure may be hidden in a Scottish legend from the days of the British Raj. But she's not the only one on the trail. From San Francisco to the Highlands of Scotland, Jaya must evade a shadowy stalker as she follows hints from the hastily scrawled note to a remote archaeological dig. Helping her decipher the cryptic clues are her magician best friend, a devastatingly handsome art historian with something to hide, and a charming archaeologist running for his life. When a member of the dig's crew is murdered, Jaya must figure out which of the scholars vying for her affections might be the love of her life-and which one is a killer. Praise for ARTIFACT: "Pandian's new series may well captivate a generation of readers, combining the suspenseful, mysterious and romantic. Four stars." - Romantic Times Book Reviews "How wonderful to see a young, new writer who harks back to the Golden Age of mystery fiction. Artifact is witty, clever, and twisty. . . Do you like Agatha Christie? Elizabeth Peters? Then you're going to love Gigi Pandian." - Aaron Elkins, Edgar Award-Winning Author of the Gideon Oliver "Skeleton Detective" Mysteries "Fans of Elizabeth Peters will adore following along with Jaya Jones and a cast of quirky characters as they pursue a fabled treasure." - New York Times Bestselling Author - Juliet Blackwell, Author of the Art Lover's Mystery Series (written as Hailey Lind) "In her fast-paced and entertaining debut novel, Gigi Pandian brings readers into a world full of mystery and history. . . As with classics in the genre, this first book in the Jaya Jones series will appeal to readers who enjoy delving into a complex puzzle." - ForeWord Reviews "Elizabeth Peters' Vicky Bliss mysteries were fun romantic capers with unexpected twists. Gigi Pandian offers that same exotic world of treasure hunts, foreign lands, and a touch of romance. I miss Vicky Bliss. But, now we're all lucky to have Jaya Jones' treasure hunts. I hope Artifact is just the first of Gigi Pandian's skillfully written capers." - Lesa's Book Critiques "Masterfully plotted." - Midwest Book Review "Artifact is a jewel of an adventure, and Jaya Jones is a plucky heroine to treasure." -Avery Aames, Nationally Bestselling Author of A Cheese Shop Mystery Series "Pandian is an adept storyteller. Artifact has it all-castles in the mist and caves at midnight; archeologists and fairies; hidden treasures and a bit of magic as well. Taking us on a journey from San Francisco to London to Scotland, Pandian weaves a mystery with all the elements of a good puzzle." - Camille Minichino, Author of the Periodic Table Mysteries "Artifact is a treasure. . .a page-turning, suspenseful story." - Penny Warner, Agatha Award-Winning Author of How to Host a Killer Party "A priceless piece of jewelry, a trail through history that might lead to death, a group of secretive, ambitious people who have their own interests at heart, and a mystical, magical place where fairies might live. . . Filled with suspense, rich history, and a variety of exotic locations. . . Fasten your seatbelt for this one. It's a bumpy ride!" - Leigh Neely, CriminalElement.com Books in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series: FOOL'S GOLD (Novella prequel to ARTIFACT featured in OTHER PEOPLE'S BAGGAGE) ARTIFACT (#1) PIRATE VISHNU (#2) Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you'll probably like them all... Author Bio: Gigi Pandian is the child of cultural anthropologists from New Mexico and the southern tip of India. After being dragged around the world during her childhood, she tried to escape her fate when she left a PhD program for art school. But adventurous academic characters wouldn't stay out of her head. Thus was born the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series. The first book in the series, Artifact, was awarded a Malice Domestic Grant and named a "Best of 2012" debut novel by Suspense Magazine. The follow-up is Pirate Vishnu. Gigi loves writing locked-room mystery short stories. Her latest, "The Hindi Houdini," was an Agatha Award nominee for Best Short Story."-- (less)

"From practicing psychiatrist and critically acclaimed author of Scary Old Sex ("the kind of bliss that lifts right off ... (more)

"From practicing psychiatrist and critically acclaimed author of Scary Old Sex ("the kind of bliss that lifts right off the page" -Dwight Garner, NYT), Artifact is the dazzling, half-century-spanning story of biologist Lottie Kristin. Born in Michigan in the early 1940s to a taciturn mother and embittered father, Lottie is independent from the start, fascinated with the mysteries of nature and the human body. By age sixteen, she and her sweetheart, cheerful high school sports hero Charlie Hart, have been through a devastatingly traumatic pregnancy. When an injury ends Charlie's football career four years later, the two move to Texas hoping for a fresh start. There, torn between the vitality of the antiwar movement and her family's traditional values, Lottie discovers the joys of motherhood, and reconnects with her interest in biology and experimentation, taking a job as a lab technician. While Charlie's depression pervades their home, Lottie's instinct is toward life; though every step is a struggle, she opts for single motherhood, graduate school, a career, and eventually, a marriage that makes space for all that she is. Bravely and wisely written, Artifact is an intimate and propulsive portrait of a whole woman, a celebration of her refusal to be defined by others' imaginations, and a meditation on the glorious chaos of biological life"-- (less)

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