Daily Archives: February 25, 2015

“Artifact” is the first book I have read by Gigi Pandian. I have been a cozy mystery fan since my early teens when I first discovered mysteries by Elizabeth Peters (under all of her aliases), Georgette Heyer, and others. Back in the day, having a female protagonist in a mystery was unusual and I was immediately captivated by Ms. Peters’ Amelia Peabody and have read every book since. When Ms. Peters recently passed, we lost a great mystery writer.

The heroine of “Artifact” Jayla Jones, reminded me of Amelia Peabody but in a much more updated and sassy sort of way. It may be that the subject of archeology is common to both characters but I think it has as much to do with attitude. While Jayla brought Peabody to mind, she is very much her own character. In one individual, the author brings together Asia and the New World and then promptly plants her in the wilds of Scotland. Truly a global character.

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