Searching for Rama's Spear — Jerry Craven

A stolen ruby from India, a "talking" cat named Dao, gypsies, drug runners, and a smart and plucky young heroine named Brooke: Jerry Craven's new novel Searching for Rama's Spear has all the ingredients of a first-rate mystery. And the deft plot-twist at the end will surprise and delight even the most experienced whodunnit buffs. With its lush setting in the Big Thicket of East Texas, its gorgeous illustrations by artist Amy Ness, and its beautifully photographed essays on the Big Thicket ecosystem and Indian gemstones, Searching for Rama's Spear has something for readers of all ages to savor.