QUEST OF THE LOST SANTA ISABELLA

Stock characters, stock romance, and typical mystery mark this account of an archaeological expedition in Baja California. One person is barely distinguishable from the next, except by mention of names. Seventeen year old Carol Foster, the author's central figure, is hopelessly, permanently in love-- with schoolmate Bill Sutherland, and with archaeological intrigue. The valuable breeding Palominos of Carol's great aunt are stolen; Professor Sutherland --the archaeologist-- and his followers are trapped in a valley, but the intensity of various situations does not come through in the blandly written text. Mediocre romance -- mystery all the way.