Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite

Canaveral Flats Chief of Police Bill Kenney has a bigger problem on his hands than he could ever imagine in Death at Windover by Jay Heavner. When a local contractor’s heavy equipment operator digs up not only two ancient skulls, but also a very modern woman’s hand, there needs to be some kind of investigation. Unfortunately, as the town’s only law enforcement officer, Bill is ill equipped to do the job and the county is unwilling to lend any help. Desperate for answers, Bill turns to an old friend who has a PhD in forensics and anthropology, but there’s even a problem with that. Roger Pyles has been trying to drink himself to death for over a year since the loss of his wife and young son.

Bill provides Roger with great incentive – a deal he can’t refuse – and Roger gets to work trying to uncover any evidence. With a lot of work, Roger does find the body of the young woman and an amazing artefact falls from her remaining hand that leads to more questions than either Bill or Roger can answer. With help from surprising sources, the pieces begin to fit together, but that leads to the culprits wanting to keep that information from ever coming to light. It becomes a race against the government, local tribal leaders, international criminals, and time itself as Bill and Roger do everything they can for justice – and to save their own lives.

Jay Heavner has created a wonderfully gripping story with the most unlikely of scenarios and characters in a sleepy little town in the middle of nowhere. You are immediately caught up in the action, and the depth of the emotions shown by virtually every character holds your heart and mind to the very last page. Not only does Death at Windover deal with intrigue, justice and local politics, it also deals with the very real struggles of individuals suffering from grief, despair and the desire to end it all, giving the title a subtle double meaning. Great book! I loved the juxtaposition of ancient, old and modern within one shovelful of dirt. The characters are well developed and I particularly found the author's treatment of Roger sympathetic and hopeful without being unrealistic. Excellently written, Death at Windover is a terrific story that every murder/suspense/mystery fan will enjoy.