An Artifact of Death

A sacred relic.A reverend caught in a deadly ritual.A canyon echoing with betrayal.Reverend Cici Gurule retreats to Chaco Canyon, seeking clarity at a crossroads: accept a prestigious megachurch offer or stay rooted in Santa Fe. But when she interrupts a covert execution and saves a man marked for death, she ignites a lethal chase across sacred land.As bullets fly and loyalties fracture, Cici uncovers a conspiracy tied to a stolen Navajo artifact and ancient secrets carved into stone. Guided by her ghostly twin and ancestral voices, she must decide who to trust before time runs out.A tense, spiritually-charged mystery set against breathtaking landscapes—ideal for fans of Nevada Barr, Tana French, and Julia Spencer-Fleming.TIMELESS PRAISE FOR J.J. CagneyA wholly absorbing gumshoe tale elevated by an extraordinary detective. —Kirkus ReviewsVivid, alluring, and heart‑wrenching... every reason I love mystery. —New York Times Bestseller Darynda JonesWritten in a clear, distinct style, Padgett uses the prose to elicit tension and emotion and creates a tense, fast-paced story. —The BookLife PrizeAn edge-of-my-seat thrill ride that kept me guessing all the way through. — USA Today Bestseller Allyson LindtThe prose is...sublimely concise. —Kirkus ReviewsI'm pretty giddy that this will be a series! It's packed with a good mystery and the cat and mouse makes it hard to put down. —Next Book ReviewAn exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series. —Kirkus Reviews