|
Lava of the Gods by Mark Leaghland
Reviewed in “The Marketplace - West” magazine - March 2006
The cover first draws the eye to this book, always a good start, and Mark Leaghland has written a rollicking good tale! It's a good easy read, nothing too heavy, the sort of book you can curl up with in a chair in front of the fire on these cooler days, glass of wine at hand and just enjoy.
The story is mainly set in Peru, with the introduction leading us back into the 1500's during the great age of the Incas, their wonderful temples and villages, their craftwork and, of course, the idolised gold. Leaping ahead into modern day South America, a road building company, cutting swathes through the jungle, stumbles upon the remains of an Inca temple. Of course, work has to stop whilst archaeologists do their initial exploratory work, but the site and the Gods are to throw a few surprises!
Knitted into the story is the usual human pattern of greed, as the gold story hits the press individuals and the powerful drug barons alike attempt to take their share. The old traditional values and ways of life intermingle with the poverty and desperation of the young and the dangerous and uncaring world of drug running. The love story between the road construction manager and a New York archaeologist seems like it will never make it with all the other problems going on. But, as in all best novels, watch for the twist-in-the-tail at the end. And I'm not saying anymore than that!
A romp through hidden treasure, cocaine, political manoeuvring and love, all set in the boiling pot of South America.
|
