Richard Krause
In the rugged mountains of West Virginia, where ancient secrets lie buried beneath centuries of history, archaeologist and former Army Ranger Jamie Blackwood uncovers a mystery that defies conventional explanation.While excavating in the remote Kanawha State Forest, Jamie and his team discover an anomalous prayer circle-Plains Indian in design but inexplicably located in traditional Iroquois territory. At the center of this ceremonial stone arrangement lies an even greater surprise: a Spanish treasure chest containing priceless gemstones and artifacts dating to the late 1600s. The discovery promises to rewrite regional history and cement Jamie’s academic reputation.But when one of Jamie’s graduate students is found dead at the base of the cliff overlooking the site, the triumph of discovery transforms into tragedy. What initially appears to be a fatal fall soon reveals itself as murder, bringing the no-nonsense Detective Sandra Elkfoot into Jamie’s world. Skeptical of academics and their theories, Elkfoot nonetheless recognizes Jamie’s unique perspective-his military background providing insights that complement her investigative approach.As they reluctantly join forces, Jamie and Sandra uncover evidence of an extraordinary covenant sealed in blood three centuries earlier-a pact between a Spanish expedition led by Captain Esteban Vega, a small band of Plains Indians who had migrated eastward following spiritual visions, and a mysterious mountain people whose presence predated both groups. The agreement, designed to protect something of immense value and potential danger, created obligations passed down through bloodlines for generations.When a sophisticated private foundation shows unexpected interest in their excavation, Jamie and Sandra discover the investigation has stirred powerful forces determined to maintain ancient secrets. The sudden appearance of Dr. Anton Vasquez-a distinguished expert in Spanish colonial history with suspicious ties to the site-adds another layer to the mystery. Is his scholarly interest genuine, or does he harbor darker motives connected to his ancestral past?As their investigation deepens, Jamie and Sandra find themselves drawn into a web of historical intrigue where the past and present collide with deadly consequences. When they discover that Sandra herself carries bloodline connections to the original covenant, the case becomes dangerously personal. With time running out and lives at stake, they must navigate between scientific skepticism and ancestral traditions to prevent a centuries-old pact from claiming more victims.Set against the atmospheric backdrop of Appalachian forests and small-town West Virginia, 'Echoes of the Forgotten' blends historical mystery with contemporary suspense. Jamie’s struggle with PTSD from his military service finds unexpected healing in the methodical unraveling of historical puzzles, while Sandra’s professional detachment faces its greatest challenge when confronted with her own heritage.As murder, ancient rituals, and modern greed converge around the prayer circle, Jamie and Sandra race to decipher the clues left by those long gone-before the echoes of the forgotten silence them forever.
