Bohnhoff’s first Gina Miyoka mystery, The Antiquities Hunter, is a debut mystery, but not the author’s first novel. She’s the co-author of a number of Star Wars novels, including the bestseller, The Last Jedi. And, she excels at writing suspense and action. I can’t wait for Gina’s return.
Gina Miyoka is a fascinating character. Her father is a retired cop, and Japanese. Her mother is a Russian immigrant. Gina carries good luck charms from both cultures, and adds a few personal touches. She’s 5’2, about 94 pounds, and she worked as a cop for 3 years for the San Francisco Police Dept. before she became a private investigator.
When Gina’s best friend, Rose Delgado, admits she thinks she has a stalker, Gina agrees to check it out. It doesn’t take her long to find the man in the Honda. But, he’s an investigative journalist, Cruz Sacramento Veras. He knows more than Gina’s comfortable with, including the fact that Rose, an undercover agent for the National Park Service, is due to testify in an upcoming case. When Gina learns he’s also has a PhD in archaeology, and a prominent position in Mexico, she understands why he’s interested in Rose’s investigations into stolen artifacts. But, Gina, with her past history, has a hard time trusting any man.
Unfortunately, Rose is still being followed, and is quickly put out of commission. The National Park Service needs an unrecognizable woman to go undercover and take Rose’s place, so a guilt-ridden Gina offers to do that. She heads to Mexico, portraying the hot girlfriend of a billionaire collector, while Veras plays her bodyguard. And, the two of them may be forced to trust each other as they head into the jungle in the search for stolen antiquities.
There are a number of comparisons that can be made to this fast-paced mystery. Think Indiana Jones or “Romancing the Stone”. Try Gigi Pandian’s Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries or Elizabeth Peters’ mysteries. Gina and Cruz are a sexy pair of adventurers with a number of needed skills in the search for artifacts. Let’s hope they both return in an exciting sequel to The Antiquities Hunter.
Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff’s website is http://www.mayabohnhoff.com/
The Antiquities Hunter by Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff. Pegasus Crime, 2018. ISBN 9781681778570 (hardcover), 304p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to review for a journal.
