In 1893, a trail of ashen footprints leads Deputy Archie Lean to the body of a murdered thief. The man’s exposed flesh has been horribly burned and occult symbols mark the nearby walls. Most troubling of all is what Lean witnessed two days earlier: this same man being lowered into his grave without a burn mark on him. В Once again, the Portland, Maine, police deputy must turn to the brilliant criminalist Perceval Grey for help.В
Grey, a half-Abenaki Indian detective,  faces problems of  his own after agreeing to an elderly tycoon’s death-bed plea to find his long-lost granddaughter. The dying man’s family is less interested in the missing heiress than with the recent theft of an obscure heirloom carved with curious symbols. As the family’s shadowy history is revealed, the three mysteries intersect to draw Lean and Grey into a maze of murder, deceit, and revenge. Each deadly new clue points toward an even greater puzzle—one that will pit Grey against a devious murderer in a race to unlock an ancient and mysterious power.
Review
"Erudite, mysterious and exciting, with a brooding, brilliant Sherlock-ian detective. The denouement is just as surprising as in Grey's first case." -- Kirkus Reviews (Starred)
"Conan Doyle fans will appreciate the Holmes/Watson-like relationship of Perceval Grey, who's half Abenaki Indian, and deputy Archie Lean of the Portland, Maine police in Shields's excellent sequel to 2012's The Truth of All Things. ... The humanity of the well-developed leads enhances the smooth-flowing plot." -- Publishers Weekly (Starred)
"This is a compelling story that will take readers from the dreary streets of Portland to the upscale parlors of Brahmin Boston. A fine historical mystery." -- Booklist
About the Author
KIERAN SHIELDS grew up in Portland, Maine. He graduated from Dartmouth College and the University of Maine School of Law. В His first novel, The Truth of All Things, was published by Crown in March 2012.В Shields continues to reside along the coast of Maine with his wife and two children.