Stolen Fury is Elisabeth Naughton’s debut novel. It’s an Indiana Jones-style romantic suspense set in the world of ancient artifacts and the treasure hunters who seek them.
Archaeologist Lisa Maxwell has spent the last fifteen years searching for three ancient statuettes of the mythological Furies. When she finally discovers Alecto in a cave in Jamaica, little does she know that she’s about to become embroiled in an international intrigue.
Rafe Sullivan has his own reasons for wanting to acquire the three Furies. Already in possession of Megaera, Rafe is determined to wrest Alecto from Lisa, by fair means or foul. Posing as Spanish academic, Rafael Garcia, Rafe inveigles an invitation to Lisa’s hotel room. When Lisa wakes up the next morning with a pounding headache, she discovers Rafe has absconded with her statue. Down but definitely not beaten, she displays more than a little fury herself and determines to find him.
When she finally tracks him down in Florida, their confrontation results in an uneasy truce. They come to the reluctant conclusion that the most effective way to find Tisiphone, the third and final Fury, is to cooperate. The ensuing search soon becomes more than an adventure, fraught with attempts on their lives and the dawning realization that they are in way over their heads.
This was an entertaining read, if flawed. I liked the premise but I would have preferred just a little more archaeological detail. There is a superfluity of secondary characters, many of whom serve no purpose in advancing the plot. At least six of them could have been left out and not affected the story in any way. At times, the book was almost too fast-paced and I had difficulty keeping up with who was doing what and where they were. The conclusion to the suspense plot is far-fetched and overly melodramatic.
These criticisms aside, I liked the book well enough to read it in one sitting. Elisabeth Naughton is particularly good at creating believable characters. I liked both Lisa and Rafe and I was particularly intrigued by Rafe’s friend and business partner, Peter Kauffman. Details from Lisa’s past provide clues for the mystery and I appreciated the fact that certain aspects of her past are not over-sentimentalized. At times, Rafe skates a very thin line between right and wrong, but is ultimately redeemed.
The second book in the trilogy, Stolen Heat, will be released in August. It features Peter Kauffman as the main male character and has received a glowing advance review from KristieJ. I plan to read it. Grade: B-
Also Reviewed:
Stolen Heat (2009) by Elisabeth Naughton (Book 2 in the Stolen series)
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Peter Kauffman is on my radar as well and as I’m digging my memory I don’t recall having problems with the pace. I would have loved more archaeological detail as well, it seems it was more about the chase then actual exploring.
Hugs,
Leontine
@Leontine The thrillers/mysteries I read tend to be more character-based than action-packed, so perhaps I’m just not used to it.
After (finally) gathering all my books together, I did find this one and I’m reading it now. I’m not very far into it but so far so good. But, at least so far, I’m liking Stolen Heat just a wee bit more
@KristieJ I’ll be interested to hear what you think of ‘Stolen Fury’. Peter Kauffman intrigues me, so I’m definitely up for ‘Stolen Heat’.
By the way, I would love to get a look at your library! It’s probably a romance lover’s paradise.
Hi Sarah, I have Stolen Fury in my TBR pile. I even had it signed by the author when I was at RT convention in Orlando, coincidentally is where I received the book. I haven’t read anything by this author or come across any reviews of this book. It sounds like something I would enjoy. I will have to move it up in the pile. Thanks!
@Jill D. From the sound of things, ‘Stolen Heat’ will be even better. While I don’t think it’s necessary to read ‘Stolen Fury’ first, it does introduce us to Peter Kauffman. Also, I prefer to read series books in order, even if they aren’t closely connected.
Did you enjoy the RT convention? I’d love to go some year, also to the RWA conference. It’s just so far away.
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