Pearl Plot [TRADE PAPER ]

Two murders, a century apart, a pearl in a pack rat’ s nest, and rumors of a lost silver cross create modern problems for Millie Whitehall.

Botanist Millie Whitehall and Archeologist Lydia Hamilton are making good progress surveying an old homestead until they discover the body of a missing university professor in the root cellar. Millie soon learns why the homestead was abandoned shortly after it was built; another horrific murder occurred inside the cabin in 1913. The discovery of a pearl and the rumors of a lost silver cross stir up memories best left forgotten. An old man's dying story leads Millie to uncover the link between the two murders. But when the site is vandalized it jeopardizes the property from being declared a National Historic Site. Millie is determined to complete the survey, even though the professor's murderer could still be around and her own life endangered.

“Writer Vicky Ramakka takes the reader onto isolated BLM land in the Four Corners Country for this debut novel…she shatters the perception that this country is barren…Filled with interesting likeable characters, this book could be the seed of a new series of mysteries set in our beautiful Southwest.” —Anne Hillerman,New York Timesbest-selling author of the Chee-Leaphorn-Manuelito series, aboutThe Cactus Plot"In this gripping tale of love and death in the remote badlands of northern New Mexico, Vicky Ramakka captures the magic of the desert Southwest’s plants, animals, and unpredictable weather." —Scott Graham, National Outdoor Book Award-winner and author ofSaguaro Sanction, Book 8 in the National Park Mystery Series."I thoroughly enjoyed The Pearl Plot. The story combines knowledge of the Four Corners and all its cultures with suspense and a compelling murder mystery." —Cindy Yurth, retired Navajo Times Assistant Editor and Reporter."