Curse of the Royal Ruby — Rodney Johnson

They're after the Rose! That's what the frightened woman said hours before her body was pulled from the local fish hatchery. Could a clue to the bejeweled foreigner's death be found in the puzzling note she left behind, sealed with the emblem of a rose? Rinnah Two Feathers and her friends Tommy Red Hawk and Meagen Paige are spending their summer vacation in Spearfish Canyon investigating.Ben Forrest, promising movie star turned construction worker, is Rinnah's prime suspect. Her curiosity about his fall from grace is further piqued when she uncovers a copy of his award-winning documentary on the Royals of Varna. She's fascinated by the Bulgarian story of greed, corruption, and murder. But it's the missing royal ruby that has the kids playing detective; the unique stone is rumored to be the largest in existence, its value priceless. And it's carved in the shape of a rose! There's also Tina Treadwell, the young art school graduate Mrs. Lane hired to help run her gallery. When a bouquet of roses is delivered to the delightful girl, she immediately throws them away. Rinnah suspects that the flowers were a message, but about what? And from whom? Tina's suspicious behavior at the local coffeehouse leads Rinnah and her friends to believe that her mysterious boyfriend may be none other than Ben Forrest. What are those two up to? To make matters worse, Meagen finds out that her dad is dating again! Sandy Price, hospital administrator for Spearfish General, is taking up more than a little of Meagen's quality dad-time. It's all Rinnah can do to keep Meagen from a major melt down. When Meagen demands a background check on the new lady in her dad's life, the two girls uncover the woman's shocking ties to Varna. Perhaps the most unusual thing of all is what the medicine man knows. Ronnie Black Elk is the tribe's spiritual advisor and comes from a long line of Lakota medicine men. Why did he put rose petals in Rinnah's medicine bag? What tribal secret is he keeping, and why? And what does it have to do with the mysterious woman's murder? With each answer Rinnah uncovers, she comes closer and closer to the truth behind The Curse of the Royal Ruby.Author Biography: Rodney Johnson was born in the Black Hills town of Belle Fourche, South Dakota, and his writing reflects a strong interest in his Sioux heritage. His father is an active member of the Lakota tribe and specializes in organizing Pow Wows throughout the country. Rodney has numerous relatives still living in Belle Fourche and on the Rosebud reservation. Rodney is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators, Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America.