Cliff Black's stories about the southwest Four Corner area are mesmerizing and toughly realistic. This area, filled with mysteries about the Ancient People is abundantly rich, with day to day real life struggles liberally sprinkled in.A myriad of thoughts torment the character's minds and the author cleverly burns nagging details into their psyches, details that refuse to leave.This is a beguiling mystery that turns a bit wild, stressing the protagonist, Daniel Corbin, just enough to gloss over his underlying paranoia.The reader can easily get enmeshed in local history, or enjoy being introduced to varied native tribal information.Black always presents well plotted tales that move at a good pace. And, Daniel Corbin proves to be a believable investigator.Many years ago, I too was attracted to test haunting mystic of The Ancient Ones, the Pueblo Indians and The Cliff Dwellers. This novel renewed that curiosity.The Trickster stories and the Coyote legends stir imaginations. The Jicarilla Apache background ties a connection cord between the reader and this area. The Four Corners weaves a magical spell to wind around, and strengthen, wavering minds which must confront deeply rooted fears. Maybe, just maybe, the family really was cursedThis novel is filled with deaths, corruption and devious plots. Excellent.
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