Shell Game
by Sarah R. Shaber
North Carolina Native American and
Archeological Mystery
Publisher: St.
Martin's Minotaur (March 2007)
Sarah R. Shaber’s Shell Game is a cozy mystery with a
North Carolina flavor. Familiar North Carolinian landmarks and names
endear this mystery to anyone who has a soft spot for the Tar Heel
state. Archeology takes the reader from the halls of academia and a
small Raleigh college to local politics, the unusual Native American
history in Robeson county, all the way to the wilderness of Nantahala
National Forest. Sarah R. Shaber combines humor, history and funeral
customs to give her readers a unique multi-layered mystery.
Professor Simon Shaw teaches undergrads at a small college in Raleigh,
NC but he has gained celebrity status as a forensic historian and
solving murder mysteries. When his best friend David Morgan is found
dead, hunched over his computer, death and murder touches too close to
home. To make matters worse, David appointed him executor of his
estate. While the police focus on David's beneficiary and financial
motives, Simon's instincts tell him that David's death is tied to the
discovery of the Uwharrie Man, a 14,000 year old skeleton archeological
find that might completely change the understanding of prehistory as
well as Native American history. Only Simon seems to understand the
stakes involved and the seething hotbed of jealousies and power
struggles inside academia and local politics. Can Simon figure out who
killed his friend and stay alive?
Sarah R. Shaber begins each chapter with a quote from famous people
from Woody Allen to Voltaire, Winston Churchill, and others about
death. Often the quotes are the last words of the cited person and
usually quite humorous and/or irreverent in the face of such a somber
occasion. These quotes complement and contrast with Simon's actions and
emotions as a friend of the murder victim. At the same time,
however, these quotes give this mystery just the right tone, adding
both a seriousness and lighter relief as Sarah R. Shaber's mystery
looks into some of the customs, rituals and even mundane duties
surrounding death from the casserole brigades to choosing clothes for
the deceased and the process of insurance policies. Despite the grave
topic, Sarah R. Shaber touches just the right emotional balance between
Simon's grief and inane humor. As in her previous mysteries, the use of
quotes guides the tone of this mystery while adding depth to the plot.
Sarah R. Shaber's gives her fans a more personal look in to her
intriguing sleuth, Simon Shaw as he struggles with his grief and to
make sure he honors David's last wishes and his research. David served
on a committee to decide the fate of the Uwharrie Man, whether he
should be reburied according to Native American burial customs
according to North Carolina and federal law or be turned over for
archeological study. When certain items appear missing from David's
home, Simon investigates the players, trying to determine which way
David's tie-breaking vote would have gone and whether anyone on the
committee had a motive for murder. As Simon begins to uncover clues,
the danger mounts so that even his own life might be at stake. Shell Game creates a moving and
sometimes humorous portrait of friendship. David's sister adds both a
moving and practical side to effects of death of relatives as well as
their actions and concerns. This portrait of current day death customs
compliments the discussion of Native American burial customs and
honoring the dead. At times, the contrast between the two can be
humorous with just a touch of sadness that modern day burial rites
often diverge from the person's culture and wishes.
Sarah R. Shaber does an excellent job at showing the interconnections
and implications of academic research and the kinds of ramifications
one theory might have outside of academics as politicians and Native
American burial claims come into conflict. The addition of David's
sister in the fray takes the death down to the family level. Shell Game differs slightly in tone
than the kind of almost supernatural atmosphere of The Bug Funeral with its question
of reincarnation. Those who loved The
Bug Funeral, however, will find the same multi-layered approach
to murder mysteries as Simon's person and profession converge to give
the reader an intriguing glimpse into death customs. Academicians and
others will love this author's ever so accurate and humorous portrayal
of academia (at least some parts of it) with its contrast between Simon
Shaw, a man dedicated to teaching, and some of the prima donna
researchers who would never deign to actually teach. Whether you are a
Tar Heel native, a relocated homesick North Carolinian, tourist or just
a mystery lover, Sarah R. Shaber's Simon Shaw mysteries are a treat not
to be missed!
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