Archaeologist Dr. Frank Hafner is working on excavating a new-found Native American temple site in the Mississippi Delta when he discovers the ritualistic murder of one of his archaeological crew. Taken in for questions, Hafner hires Sarah Booth to clear his name. She uncovers a number of possible suspects, but can't narrow them down fast enough to stem the continuing violence that seems to trace back to Dr. Hafner's dig. When Peter Deerstalker, a member of the Tunica tribe, mentions a curse, it doesn't seem so far-fetched-- especially when a young graduate student on the site claims someone on the site is searching for something much more precious than ancient pottery. -- adapted from back cover