Samantha Sutton and the Labyrinth of Lies

October 1, 2012
Samantha Sutton, 12, whose dream is to be an archeologist, couldn’t be more excited about joining her uncle Jay on a dig in the Andes Mountains of Peru, even if her annoying older brother, Evan, is coming along, too. The dig site is everything Sam hoped for, though getting paired up with Evan and a hostile grad student assistant is less than ideal. The
local myth of the ghost of “El Loco” and recurrent looting of the dig site form the central mystery of this book, first in a planned series. Debut author Jacobs, an archeologist by trade, meticulously describes both the Peruvian setting and the excavation processes, which should fascinate readers who share Sam’s interest in archeology. The many threads of the story—including budding friendships with local kids, Sam’s testy relationship with Evan, and Jay’s secret romance with another professor—can compete for attention. But Jacobs effectively builds suspense and pulls the plot lines together in a satisfying resolution, and capable, passionate Sam is a rewarding heroine to follow. Ages 9–up. Agent: Cathy Hemming, Cathy Hemming Literary Agency.

September 15, 2012
When 12-year-old Samantha Sutton gets to join her archaeologist uncle on an actual dig in Peru, she learns the secret behind the local tradition of a madman in Chavin de Huantar, but not before some terrifying moments both above and below ground. Longing to be an archaeologist herself, Samantha is thrilled when her Uncle Jay invites her to spend the summer working with him, even though her irritating older brother Evan has to come along. Her special job of exploring narrow passageways in the 3,000-year-old site is real scientific work, though it's sometimes frightening. But when there really does appear to be an intruder in the maze of galleries, and finds go missing, the tension among the scientific staff and in the community becomes almost unbearable. Then her video-game-playing brother disappears. These middle-school-age characters are believable and the adults convincingly complex. The first-time author, an archaeologist himself, has included plenty of specific details about fieldwork and about the Chavin area, bringing out some of the conflicts inherent in the science. But middle-grade readers will be focused on the mystery, pulled on by gripping suspense. Claustrophobics may want to skip scenes where Samantha wriggles through pitch-black tunnels and navigates remembered passages without a light. Hardy readers will be eager to explore another lost world in the promised sequel. (Mystery. 9-13)

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October 1, 2012

Gr 6-8-Samantha, 12, and her brother, Evan, are spending the summer in Peru. They travel with their Uncle Jay, an archaeology professor, to work at the Chavin de Huantar site north of Lima. This pre-Inca culture dates back to 3000 BCE, and the local people are very much involved in the tourist trade that brings in visitors from all over the world. But vandalism at the sites and the theft of valuable artifacts has everyone on edge. The fact that two American children are allowed to work on a government-controlled site seems a little far-fetched, but the possibility of a madman haunting it has Samantha trying to solve the mystery before her uncle, and the kids are denied access and forced to return early to California. The story itself is slow to develop but does include brief information on the actual site and the cultural life of the small Peruvian village that may be of interest to some readers. Evan is busy trying to get play time with the local soccer team and show his prowess at the video arcade while Samantha attempts to learn the local language and explore ancient underground passages that her small size allows her to access while her uncle waits outside. A long list of characters and a labyrinth of site names can be confusing. Astute youngsters will figure out the less-than-surprising ending by the second chapter. Only the most dedicated readers will stay on to unearth the final chapter.-Cheryl Ashton, Amherst Public Library, OH

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