Ben Juarez wants fellow archaeologist, and former lover, Jila Wells to accompany him on a return trip to Peru. Neither has fond memories of the place, since they almost lost their lives during an attack, and Jila is quite happy with the job she has now. After much cajoling, Ben is finally able to persuade Jila, since she's familiar with most of the people who'll be making up Professor Beckham's team at Santiago de Paz pyramids. Beckham has found clues in an ancient diary that indicate the ruins contain a valuable document hidden by a member of a Jewish family who settled there in the 16th century.
Of course, these investigative archaeologists aren't the only ones interested in locating what's been hidden for centuries. And these others aren't above using deadly force to achieve their goals. But everyone is frantically working against the clock as severe weather is on the way in the form of El NiΓ±o. Will Ben and Jila find what they're looking for in time? And what will it mean to the rest of the world if they do?
AMERICAN CALIPHATE by William Doonan is an exciting, fast-paced mystery that will delight readers with its pragmatic characters and wide-ranging action/adventure plot. It's a winner!
Nothing decays on the north coast, not even faith.
Archaeologists Jila Wells and Ben Juarez are not thrilled
at the prospect of returning to Peru; the ambush that
nearly cost Jila her still haunts her. But the ruined
pyramids at Santiago de Paz hide an important document
that would shock the Islamic world. Professor Sandy
Beckham is assembling a distinguished team to dig quickly
through the pyramid complex, following clues found in the
diary of a wealthy Muslim woman who lived in Spain nearly
five centuries ago.
In the diary are details of an illegal expedition to
Spanish Peru in three well-armed ships. Convinced that
Spain was forever lost to Islam, Diego Ibanez intended to
bring the word of Allah to the pagan Americans. Landing on
Peruβs north coast, he learned that the fires of the
Inquisition burned even hotter there than they did in
Spain.
As the archaeologists brace for the ravaging storms of El
NiΓ±o, Jila and Ben hurry to complete their excavations.
But theyβre not the only ones interested in this project.
Other forces are determined that the document remain
hidden. Should it be discovered, a challenge could be made
under Islamic testamentary law to the throne of Saudi
Arabia. And the House of Saud has no interest in sharing
power with an American caliphate that might now awaken
from a five hundred year slumber.
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