Quote:
Originally Posted by CRussel
Sigh. Just read Wheels of Fire, thanks to ATDrake's reminding me of the 5th Imperium site. But this was a real slog. It definitely advanced the story line, but by the time I finished it, I wasn't at all sure it was worth it. Makes me leery of starting the next one, When the Bough Breaks, (co-written by Holly Lisle and Lackey but apparently not very much of Lackey if Wheels of Fire was any indication.)
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WTBB is actually a lot better than Wheels of Fire (the late Mark Shepherd's writing, unfortunately, just wasn't that great to begin with) and it's got some fun moments. But it does tend to linger on some of the abuse stuff (apparently the co-author used to be some sort of paramedic/emergency room nurse who saw unfortunate things), so I'd advise just skimming to refresh yourself on the story if you have to (it gets a vague mention in Chrome Circle, but is not as important to that story as WoF was in setting up Joe's backstory).
As for me, I'm currently umpty dozen books into the reading/commenting deficit. But the last couple have been continuing volumes in
Mary Anna Evans' Faye Longchamp archaeological mystery series out from Poisoned Pen Press, of which the 1st is currently
free along with a couple of other 1st-in-series (DRM-free, but not available in all regions), and others on special discount sale, which I went and bought.
So far they've been pretty entertaining and take Faye to various sites and digs around the US so the scenery is varied (and not too many murders happen in one suspiciously homicidal place).
Maybe a bit of contrivance in how some of the plot threads turn out, but a good mix of history and culture and modern archaeological/anthropological approach to them, and starting with the 3rd book, there's a Q&A section with the author in the back which gives more notes and details about the hist/arch stuff she wrote and why she wrote it that way, which I like to see. Also, Evans has been weaving in faux-historical correspondence and folk stories and such into the narrative, which is a nice touch.
I'll comment more on them when I've finished the 6th, but for now consider them recommended if you think you might like archaeological mysteries with world-building bonuses and a certain touch of contrivance in dramatic plot resolutions.