Detective Investigator Michael “Mick” Chandra is of Anglo-Indian descent and works for Scotland Yard (CID). While home on a family leave following the birth of his new baby, he is called to investigate the homicide at an archeological site. He is a highly sought after and respected homicide investigator who finds himself in the difficult position of answering to both the Superintendent and Commissioner, in that order.

When he reached the site he found one of the most notorious art thieves and forgers in the world lying dead at the bottom of a pit. Stanislaw Janus was killed in the Celtic tradition; ritually murdered. Janus had recently been connected with the theft of the Ravenhoe Cauldron, a priceless gold artifact believed to be approximately 2,000 years old.

During his investigation, Chandra connected with Gill Metcalf, head of the dig site, Dr. Cass Palmer, Director of Colchester Museum, and joined forces with DI Todd Bertrum of the Scotland Yard, an expert on the Ravenhoe Cauldron, head of Arts and Antiquities Branch.

Regina Roberts, wife of Stanislaw Janus told Chandra that he had cheated clients out of hundreds of pounds during transactions her husband made on the antiquities black market, and gave the DI Janus’ diary.

To confuse a very difficult investigation, someone who looked just like him had been seen around the museum and the artifacts. Is Janus still alive or is someone impersonating the thief, forger, and antiquities expert?

The Ravenhoe Cauldron was written by Rebecca Yount, author of The Eriking (Mick Chandra Mysteries Book 2). The powerful Scotland Yard drama goes into great depth regarding antiquities and the length thieves go to gain illegal items.

There is a whole underground that most of us would never hear about, but where millions of dollars and many years of work are spent to get the perfect piece for one’s own collection or to sell the item on the black market.

Yount obviously spent much time conducting research for this amazing mystery. The characters are relatable, the pace is top-notch, and the ending well worth the wait.

The twists and turns, and unexpected events, keep the rather long story from dragging. Plus, the reader learns so much about the topic that it feels like a worthy winter course at the local university.

A special thank you goes to Rebecca Yount for providing a copy of The Ravenhoe Cauldron for our review. You can find Rebecca's books at Amazon.com.