It's set in a museum with a large cast of characters. However, that underlying science is less hokey, and more historical the Da Vinci Code. My 24-year-old daughter recommended this one. We've read Elizabeth Peters books together for years.
William Smithback,the reporter and his wife Nora Kelly seem like the anchors of all the other characters. Or maybe not. She longs to get on with her research (ancient Anasazi pottery) but a PR crisis demands attention of all New York Mesueum of Natural History's personnel.
The conflict: for unknown reasons--insanity? pure evil? Demogenes stole and destroyed the museum's valuable diamond collection, then returned their dust on their doorstop. In past installments, the same guy evidently murdered people and pinned the evidence on his brother, who is moldering in a secure prison.
He plans his escape. I am still midway in this thing--but it's enthralling me more than most mysteries. If you like Mary Higgins Clark style (lots of characters, fast action, twisty plot) you might enjoy this.
You have to look closely to interpret relationships. Any romance is pretty much implied. Written by men, the story is all about the events. I like it pretty well. I would give it a B+.
I enjoyed the strong, smart, and diversely appealing female characters Bof the D. However, the overall effect of not delving into motives or psyche made them 2 dimensional, like cartoons.
