Set in the wide open deserts of southern Utah, The Pictograph Murders by P.G. Karamesines envelopes readers in a suspenseful mystery through folklore, the inquisitive mind of main character, Alex McKelvey, and through fear of the unknown.

Alex McKelvey is in her second year of participation with the Brigham Young University archaeological field school. Surrounded by Native American myth and folklore, Alex is in her element uncovering ancient kivas and burial sites. However, when pot hunters ravage the site, Alex is pulled into the middle of a mystery involving not only stolen artifacts, but a murder, and a mysterious visitor name Tony Balbo. Alex tolerates Tony's presence in the camp but underneath every exchange is a vicious power struggle that threatens to wear Alex's strength away. These conversations are definitely the best sections of the novel as the reader is engaged along with the characters in Alex and Tony's intense battle of wits. Through these debates, each character learns about the other, of how to dominant the other.

The final battle between the two occurs when Alex ventures into Tony's territory in order to find the answers she has been looking for including who is responsible for damaging the archaeology site, who has committed murder, and finally, how Tony Balbo fits into her life.

Throughout the story, Karamesines weaves in the folklore of the Coyote and the Rabbit, stories which describe the power struggle between Alex and Tony. These folkloric elements are the driving force of the novel providing the reasons and explanations for our main characters' actions. By understanding the lore, we gain insights into Alex's and Tony's personalities, motivations, fears, and strengths.

The Pictograph Murders is a fascinating lesson in animal and Native American folklore which captures the reader's attention until the very last page.

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Meghan Mickelsen
December 13, 2005