The Jaguar Mask — Daniel Easterman

Set in the heart of the American jungle and featuring Declan Carberry, the not-so handsome hero of Day of Wrath, this page-turner oozes excitement, exotica and Formula One suspense. Archaeologist Leo is on a dig. But this is no ordinary assignment. He's deep in the heart of the Mexican jungle uncovering another centuries-old Mayan city. Like a surgeon performing a most-intricate operation, Leo and his team skilfully remove each crumb of earth with the utmost precision. In France, Declan Carberry is busy trying to solve a string of ritual serial murders. Horrific in the extreme, the questions are who and why? Declan needs to move fast, for time is running out. Delving into the history of the Conquistadors and the Maya of South America, this vertiginous tale of snaring and netting, old rituals and modern codes, blood-letting and immortality is Easterman at his dizzying best.