Eye of the Raven

With the aid of the Native American Shaman Conawago Duncan McCallum has begun to heal from the massacre of his Highland clan by the British. But his new life is shattered when he and Conawago discover a dying Virginian officer nailed to an Indian shrine tree. The authorities arrest Conawago and schedule his hanging. As Duncan begins a desperate search for the truth he finds himself in a maelstrom of deception and violence. The year is 1760 and while the British army wishes to dismiss the killing as another casualty of its war with France Duncan discovers a pattern of ritualistic murders related to provincial treaty negotiations and the struggles between tribal factions. Duncan understands that the real mysteries underlying his quest lie in the hearts of natives who like his Highland Scots have glimpsed the end of their world approaching. Editorial Reviews Few writers can combine history and mystery as well as Edgar-winner Pattison as shown in the sequel to 2007''s Bone Rattler which introduced Duncan McCallum a Scot who becomes an unlikely detective in 18th-century North America. In 1760 McCallum and his close friend Conawago a Jesuit-trained member of the Nipmuc tribe stumble into a case with potentially far-reaching repercussions for a peace treaty between the Iroquois and the British. When the pair find a prominent Virginia militia commander Winston Burke nailed to a tree with a gear wheel stuck in his chest Conawago becomes a suspect in the man''s murder. Burke turns out to be but the latest victim of a killer who''s targeted surveyors sent to map the Pennsylvania wilderness. While Burke''s vengeful friends are eager for swift frontier justice McCallum works frantically to uncover the truth. Evocative language tight plotting and memorable characters make this a standout. (Jan.)