by J. Michael Orenduff (Author), Austin Rising (Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher)

An Audiobook

There is always a lot of talking in J. Michael Orenduff’s books. Still, the conversations, usually between Hubie and his sarcastic but true friend, Suzanna, are humorous and often educational as they discuss life and the ridiculous situations Hubie gets himself into. I think discussing his problems with her leads him to solve the mysteries.

Yes, Hubie is a thief.  He digs up and steals artifacts from various Native American sites in his home state of New Mexico.  He has some limits, however.  He won’t dig in ancient burial sites. And often, after he has cleverly made copies of the pots or shards he finds, he will return them to the place he found them.  The copies are sold in his shop, clearly marked as copies.  But they are amazing. He’s good.

This time, when he finds an exquisite ancient shard, he also finds a hand connected to a body buried there.  It’s NOT an ancient body, but a newly murdered one. He has a dilemma. If he reports the body, he could go to prison for illegal digging artifacts.  If he doesn’t a murderer could go free.  He and Suzanna talk.

It’s a tangled, roundabout situation they find themselves in, and it involves a wounded coyote, a missing hat, being lost without water in the desert, a foot in a cast, a few broken teeth, and a priest.  You figure it out!!  I’ll alert you. You’ll need Suzanna!

Hubie has a good heart, and honesty always wins out for him.  This book has a tender, sweet ending.

Caveat: There is a bit too much talk about sex in these books.

Excellent narrator.