Whatever happened to colorful heroes like Indiana Jones, intrepid archaeologist, ready to charge into unknown jungles and forgotten tombs with the possibility of dying a horrible death? To most, it would appear such exciting and fully-rounded characters have gone the way of the western, but they would be wrong. Author Roberta Clark breathes life into the intelligent action hero by making him into a her, in her novel, The Golden Covenant.

If the sudden death of her father Gustav, a prominent archaeologist, in a plane crash wasn’t devastating enough for Katherine Nikulasson, then there are the rumors. Lawrence Halvern, investigative reporter, brings them to her door: maybe the plane crash wasn’t accidental and worse yet, maybe family friend, Sheppard Wilde is somehow involved.
The journalist in her knows she has to investigate if only to clear Wilde’s name.

The problem with an in-depth investigation is that someone doesn’t want Katherine investigating. The real question is who wants to keep Katherine from finding the golden ornaments that represent an ancient civilization that Gustav took from his latest dig. There is Enrique Quisette, leader of an international art smuggling syndicate who would like to get his hands on the golden ornaments. There is also Sheppard Wilde who appears to be the same dependable friend, but may be hiding something. Of course, the ornaments are missing and now Katherine is missing, too.

The Golden Covenant employs many varied characters and dispenses with them just as quickly. The main character Katherine doesn’t even make an appearance until chapter three, which is confusing to this reader because so many possible main characters have to be rejected in favor of Katherine. The settings were good and the dialogue was believable. The secondary characters were workable, but there was too much set-up for a character that is killed within the same chapter he was introduced.

The Golden Covenant is a fast-paced action adventure that should appeal to both male and female readers. The book picks up after the fourth chapter and all the major characters are in play. I recommend this book.

Reviewed by Morgan Wyatt
January 2008