The Gold of Thrace

by Aileen G. Baron

The Gold of Thrace deals with the theft and marketing of antiquities. This is a long-standing gripe of mine and I have long loved of archaeology and ancient history. Needless to say, the title alone got me hooked. Ms. Baron's skilled writing did nothing to dampen my enthusiasm.

The story begins in Turkey at the site of an archaeological dig. Dr. Tamar Saticoy, an American professor of archaeology, has been working at a dig of the ancient Roman villa of a wealthy Roman in the Eastern Roman Empire.

Dr. Saticoy painstakingly unearthed a beautiful mosaic floor at the site. It was getting dark, so Tamar had covered the floor with a tarp. It had been a long day. A member of their expedition had been murdered and a valuable artifact had been stolen. Tamar hadn't had time to photograph the mosaic.

Thus, when it disappeared, she had no way to prove where it had been found or that it even existed, except a few tiles found in the trail the thieves left when they carried it to their vehicle. Tamar learns there is a probability that it would be sold on the antiquities black market. The best place to look would be in the neutral country of Switzerland. Tamar had no idea how to find the missing artifact but she was determined to try. So she traveled to Basel and began her search.

Aileen G. Baron knows the subject she is writing about. She has a Ph.D. in archaeology and is familiar with the theft and sale of antiquities. She has worked on digs in the Middle East and now lives in Switzerland. Her knowledge brings this story to life. Her skill as a writer makes The Gold of Thrace an easy book to begin and practically impossible to put down. Fans of historical mysteries will love it, as will all mystery fans. Pick up The Gold of Thrace and enjoy. Also keep an eye out for the other books by Aileen G. Baron. This is only her third novel!