The Monkey Idol
by
K. D. McNiven
Decker and Callie Hayden are husband and wife archeologists. The Monkey Idol is the first of a series of books to feature these two well-resourced and highly capable adventurers.
The book begins with fellow archeologist and friend, Leonard Romero, being murdered by a gang of thugs. Leonardo has discovered a lost city deep in the Honduran jungle that will significantly add to the knowledge of ancient Central American civilisations. The gang however are interested only in looting the vast treasures of the lost city.
Prior to his death, Leonard has mailed proof of his discovery to his wife Holly - a small statuette of a Monkey God and an all important map to the discovered site. When the gang attack Holly in Los Angeles she turns to her friends Decker and Callie who immediately put together their established and fiercely loyal team to not only protect Holly, but to locate the lost city so as to secure its treasures for the rightful owners, the people of Honduras.
So begins a series of adventures that pits the team against a ruthless gang boss who is willing to kill anyone in order to get the treasure for himself. On top of this Decker and Callie must face the inherant hostilities of the Honduran jungle; ravenous insects, wild animals, formidable weather and potentially histile natives.
K. D. McNiven has written a great page-turner. She has a knack for immersing the reader into a distant and exotic location that they are unlikely to personally experience. You can almost feel the intensity of the humidity as the team ventures further and further up river into the uncharted jungle, not knowing what misfortune will befall them next. I would imagine that most readers will immediately seek out the next title in this evolving series, Shark Eater, to enjoy more of Decker and Callie's adventures.
Highly recommended!!!
