THE ACCURSED HUNTSMAN

An archaeological expedition turns into a horror story in a remote area of Nova Scotia in this novel.

Wilderness guide and professional hunter Jack Steward struggles to live his life under the weight of the memories and guilt he carries after a hunting accident that cost him his leg and his best friend. Years later, he receives an invitation to join an archaeological expedition in Nova Scotia in exchange for enough money to help atone for his past. The dig is deep in some cave systems, and the expedition leader is Bill Emery, an eccentric millionaire with a bad reputation in the archaeology community and an even worse track record of going after nonsensical historical artifacts. But this time, Bill may be on to something. Sophie Kensington, the young, smart archaeologist whose research is the basis for the dig, is convinced that what they are about to find will change history. But there is something not quite right with the rest of the team, a ragtag bunch of misfits that includes archaeologist Margaret Simmons, engineer Greg Gupta, physician Emilio Bianchi, and former SEAL Kevin Halberd. They all have secrets that may tear the expedition apart—if what they find doesn’t get to them first. Hoover’s mystery blends elements of paranormal horror novels and classic psychological thrillers in a tense and engaging tale that deftly develops most of its main characters. The villains may be too one-note and unscrupulous, but Jack’s struggle with shadows from the past, Sophie’s passion for her work and frustration with having to depend on money from such an unpleasant source, and the secrets kept by the other members of the group sustain a gripping story. The tale evolves as each character chooses whom to trust and side with. One of the book’s highlights is the developing nerdy bond between Sophie and Margaret, whose understanding of their field allows for some of the most intriguing conversations in the story. The discussions verge on exposition but never fully cross the line.

History and gore meet in this entertaining archaeological mystery.