Fragments of Fear

A struggling artist in Albuquerque, N.Mex., investigates a string of murders connected to an archaeological dig in this appealing inspirational thriller from Parks (Portrait of Vengeance). Artist Evelyn “Tavish” McTavish is devastated by the death of her fiancé, Andrew, and doesn’t believe the police when they conclude he killed himself. At Andrew’s funeral, a pregnant woman appears, claims to be his fiancé, and blames Tavish for his suicide. Still reeling from her encounter, Tavish receives a call that a dog whose portrait she had once painted for its owner, John Coyote, could be put down at the pound. After rescuing archaeologist Coyote’s dog, she drives to his house and witnesses a cop put Coyote’s lifeless body in his car. After relaying everything she has seen to other police officers—who don’t believe her—Tavish decides to investigate Coyote’s death on her own. Her investigation leads her to Special Agent Sawyer Price, who is staking out one of Coyote’s former archaeological sites, trying to discover who has been stealing Native American artifacts from the dig. The more Tavish investigates, the more the danger increases and gets closer to home. Tavish’s growing faith and sheer determination must get her through the thicket of lies surrounding the murders. Though light on faith elements, Park’s busy plot and unlikely heroine will appeal to fans of Dani Pettrey. (July)