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Risky Undertaking: A Buryin' Barry Mystery    by Mark de Castrique Amazon.com order for
Risky Undertaking
by Mark de Castrique
Order:  USA  Can
Poisoned Pen, 2014 (2014)
Hardcover, Softcover, CD
* *   Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth

Barry Clayton, part-time deputy and full time undertaker has to deal with a protest by a Cherokee activist, Jimmy Panther, during the services for the burial of a prominent citizen's wife. Panther claims that the bones that have been exposed by digging the grave are Cherokee bones and therefore sacred – not to be thrown aside.

The real trouble begins when Jimmy Panther is found murdered on the very grave in which the deceased had been placed. More problems. Sheriff Tommy Lee Watkins' army buddy appears on the scene. Boston cop Kevin Malone has been searching for a hit man and learned that the assassin had turned up in the Cherokee reservation several days prior.

Panther's efforts to preserve Cherokee traditions would have hindered the development of a new casino, which would provide more profits for each member of the tribe. It seems money is the driving force – a second casino equates to more and more money. Everyone's dream!

Risky Undertaking by Mark de Castrique presents an intriguing scenario. Cherokee traditions; sacred grounds; a hit man; casinos, sheriffs, undertakers; as well as the lovely mountains of northwest North Carolina. You can't beat it for a great read.

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