I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An archeologist and a photojournalist search for clues to the history of an ancient site in the Yucatan Peninsula in author Ann Charles’s “Chewed Up By The Jungle,” the third book in the Dig Site Mystery series.
The Synopsis
Whatever lies in wait in the jungle isn’t just history … it’s hungry!
Deep in the Yucatán Peninsula sits a long forgotten, mysterious site—lost to time, swallowed by the jungle, haunted by ancient secrets.
Archaeologist Dr. Angélica Garcia is chasing clues, and she will stop at nothing to uncover the site’s history. Was it a sacred center? A place of long-forgotten rituals? Or something far more sinister?
Quint Parker, a sharp-eyed photojournalist, is chasing Angélica. He never signed up for old curses, creepy whispers in the shadows, or man-eating mosquitoes. He just wants to make sure his girlfriend makes it out of the jungle—alive.
The deeper they dig into the past, the more they must confront a deadly truth: Some places should never be disturbed!
The Review
Filled with humor and heart, this historical and mythological adventure and suspense story does an incredible job of layering this narrative with compelling action sequences and engaging mysteries. The imagery and detail the author put into this writing really brought the heat and the textures of the jungle to life as the protagonist made their way in, delving into the history that was waiting to be discovered in this ancient site. The delivery of this imagery allowed the reader to feel the sweat-drenched humidity and the buzzing of the bugs as they traveled, creating an almost cinematic style of storytelling.
At its heart, however, was the rich character dynamics and attention the author gave Mayan lore and history. The interconnectedness behind Ann Charles’s other series, like the Deadwood series and others, was well brought out in these characters’ arcs, especially Quint’s sister being revealed to be none other than Violet in Deadwood. His bond and relationship with Angelica, and the way it played into their encounters with both the historical and paranormal side of this adventure, were wild. I loved the respect and detail the author brought to bringing Mayan culture to life on the page, while also adding her own unique spin to the stories being told.
The Verdict
Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author Ann Charles’s “Chewed Up By The Jungle” is an excellent entry in the Dig Site Mystery series. This must-read book does a great job of hooking new readers while also laying down some of the foundation of the first two books in the beginning, and while it is a slow-burning start, once the action picks up, the story never waivers, and readers will be hanging onto every twist and turn in the story. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Ann Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes hilarious, sometimes hair-raising, award-winning books filled with humor, mystery, adventure, romance, supernatural, and more! She has a B.A. in English (creative writing) from the Univ. of Washington. When she isn’t escaping into story worlds filled with rowdy characters, she’s arm wrestling her kids, road tripping with her husband, and arguing with her sassy cats.
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AUTHOR’S NOTE: For all who have tried my books, left reviews, and shared my stories with friends and family, strangers in the store, fellow drinkers at your favorite watering hole, social media pals, and long-lost enemies… THANK YOU for your kindness! ~Ann
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