An Artifact of Death

"An exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series." ~ Kirkus Reviews A botched execution. A reverend on the run. Can she solve the mystery before she's caught in the crosshairs? The third installment in the Kirkus Reviews, National Indie Excellence Awards and Publishers Weekly award-winning series by USA Today Best-Selling Author, J. J. Cagney: Reverend Cici Gurule went to the sacred Chaco Canyon in search of a sign. She's been offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in a megachurch, but taking the position would mean abandoning her Southwestern home and the man she's grown to love as much more than a friend. She's so caught up in her thoughts that she doesn't realize when she stumbles upon a group of heavily armed operatives on the verge of an execution. Soon, Cici's dodging bullets and scaling mesas with the mysterious man she saved from certain death. With a little help from her twin sister's ghost and restless ancestral spirits, they venture deeper into the maze-like rocky terrain. But her new companion's deadly aim makes her wonder if she can afford to trust his side of the story. To make it out of the canyon alive, Cici must unearth the true story behind the man and a sacred Navajo artifact before the next blood shed on sacred ground is hers. ★ WHY READERS CAN'T PUT DOWN REV. CICI GURULE'S MYSTERIES ★ A 2019 Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize finalist. "Written in a clear, distinct style, Padgett uses the prose to elicit tension and emotion and creates a tense, fast-paced story." ~ The BookLife Prize "Hold on to your hat, this story is fast paced and really gets your blood moving." ~ Joanne Hampton, Goodreads Review "This story is filled with what makes the dessert Southwest so beautiful and terrifying. Truly one of the best books in the series." ~ Suzy Sims, Goodreads Review