This was my first book by Kuzneski. It was an OK thriller but a bit immature. There are better thriller writers to choose from. I doubt I will read another from this author. ( )

Great read! Lots of action, twists and turns and witty dialogue! ( )

I won't deny it...I like Chris Kuzneski. I feel he needs to inject more mystery and intrigue into his writing and a lot less of the humorless banter between his two main characters. It's as if he needs a filter to screen out the worst jokes and leave the crafty ones adherent to character building.

That being said, I agree with most critics and seasoned writers: his prose contains an energetic drive. Whether that is craft or the joked or visceral to his nature, I'm not sure. But it has carried me through his books and will continue to do so with his next. ( )

From Amazon:

The New World, 1545: Vanquished by the Spanish Empire, little remained of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. From the ashes of their cities, a unified legend emerged: their conquerors possessed a mysterious object, an artifact so powerful—so deadly—that it came to be known as “the Death Relic." Yucatan Peninsula, present day: When Maria Pelati’s research team disappears in Mexico, she calls Jonathon Payne and David Jones, who embark on a perilous mission to find the missing archaeologists. They soon realize that Maria’s research may hold the key to solving one of the darkest mysteries of the New World. But their quest to learn the truth about the Death Relic may end up costing them their lives.

My Thoughts:

Most reviews, both on Amazon and Goodreads didn't like the book even a little bit, I believe the constant travel and not much about the actual artifact may have been the reason for this. If this had been my first Payne nd Jones book I might have felt the same way...but I found it is an awesome book, filled with CIA hi-jinx and espionage.. as well as a great deal of Mayan and Aztec history...not to mention the good natured interplay between the two good friends and partners, Payne and Jones. I think the racial jokes could be toned down a bit ...but other than that a realty good read. ( )

The Death Relic by Chris Kuzneski is a very good mystery set in the Aztec and Mayan ruins of the Yucatan Peninsula. Lots of action, chases, and gunfire keep the pace of the novel moving briskly towards an action-packed ending. ( )