A review by the_novel_approach
Unearthed by Dallas Coleman, B.A. Tortuga

4.0

Dr. Jacob Keys is in the mountains of Wyoming and wants to be left alone. He’s been satisfied with ten years of spelunking, finding artifacts and gemstones, and photographing and recording his findings. Most of his associates are archeologist; one happens to be his mother, Dr. Anne Keys, with whom Jacob has a close but complex relationship. His ex, Caleb Paulsen, has been enticed by Jacob’s mother to join her in Italy—for a discovery that is not only unbelievable but terrifying. When Jacob gets word that his mother and her crew have perished, and Caleb is missing, Jacob heads to Italy as well.

Jacob, needing comfort, contacts his best friend, Ben Walking Turtle, an anthropologist and writer, and member of the Ute tribe. Ben’s partner is Sam “Mac” MacDougal, a Scotsman and the head of the Butterfold Museum in Casper. Jacob lets Ben know he is going to Italy to find out what happen to his mother and Caleb. But little do any of them know that there’s a delivery on its way to the museum, and Sam’s curiosity gets the better of him. With the help of the spirits, and guidance from Ben’s father and brother, and his faithful companions, Piah and Kono, Ben will have to face an evil beyond any other to save the love of his life, and the land. But the spirits always expect a sacrifice.

BA Tortuga has brought us the terror of nightmares in the Unearthed. She’s one of my favorite writers, and usually writes rodeos and sweet love affairs between cowboys, but Unearthed is very different. Her vivid descriptions of the nuraghe and Nuragic Era had me researching more information on both. Native American folklore plays a large part in the story, which thoroughly kept me invested. Her writing made this story even more intriguing, from dream effects to the reality of the evil that was unleashed. Of the four main characters—Jacob, Caleb, Sam and Ben Walking Turtle—Ben was the most intriguing and courageous character.

The ending was a shocker and a heartbreaker for me, but I absolutely enjoyed this book. I hope the author plans to write more books that meld fact and fiction with the paranormal.

Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews