Description:

A secret room in an obscure Atlanta museum has become the final resting place for its proprietor, whose dead body lies surrounded by an astonishing collection of Ancient Greek antiquities previously unknown to the archaeological world. But something is missing. Something large and shrouded in legend.

Now Deborah Miller, the museum’s curator, has to venture into a terrifying web of murder and intrigue as she attempts to expose the killers of her friend and mentor. To do so she must learn the strange and terrible truth about the tangled history of an ancient artifact that might yet unleash devastation on the world.

“This is exactly the kind of archaeological thriller I love--from its gripping opening on a battlefield in the waning days of World War II to its roaring finish. MASK OF ATREUS is rich and dramatic -- a compelling novel that will grip you in its swift, dark currents and sweep you over the falls… An outstanding novel.”

Douglas Preston

"THE MASK OF ATREUS is the perfect debut--a high octane thriller crammed full of long buried secrets, treacherous betrayals, jaw-dropping twists, and a healthy dash of romance. Deborah Miller is an engaging, sympathetic heroine, who you can't help but root for. Move over Michael Crichton---A.J. Hartley is right at your heels."

J.A. Konrath

“Intricate and absorbing”

Publishers Weekly

“A labyrinth of history and mystery.”

Steve Berry

“Absolutely spellbinding.”

Eloisa James

From Publishers Weekly

Rich with historical and archeological detail, this well-constructed debut from Hartley celebrates the power of legend while delivering an engrossing mystery that skips nimbly between continents and cultures. At the heart of the story is Atlanta museum curator Deborah Miller, who's returning home after a successful exhibit when she receives a cryptic call telling her she needs to go back to the museum. Deborah does so only to find her friend, museum owner Richard Dixon, lying dead amid a cache of possibly priceless artifacts. Why was Richard hiding them? And, most importantly, what item from the stash was worth killing for? At first, Deborah believes the missing item to be a Mycenean death mask, but after exploratory trips to Greece and Russia and multiple attempts on her life, Deborah begins to suspect that the object in question is more powerful than a mere mask. Hartley has created an enduring heroine in Deborah, who's courageous, loyal and smart enough to learn from her mistakes. Although it's unclear whether there are more adventures in Deborah's future, this intricate and absorbing thriller augurs well for Hartley's career. (Apr.)

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