The Clovis Dig

The Clovis Dig, by Teri Fink is an exciting read, jammed pack with adventure, mystery, and rich in culture. Claire Courtney, the main character, is an orchard farmer living in East Wenatchee Washington. Claire profits off her acres of cherry and apple crops, but unfortunately, her harvest is suffering. She finds herself in deep financial trouble, as she owes debt upon debt to the bank. Claire works alongside her manager, Carlos Barbados, a Mexican immigrant who has been part of Claire’s life since childhood. Hardworking and honest, Carlos was hired by Claire’s father twenty years prior and has grown alongside her family and the orchard. Truly a dynamic duo, Carlos and Claire have taught each other their native languages, customs, and have grown to become best of friends. One day after working in the fields, Carlos discovers a strange artifact which he takes to Claire. Claire calls Washington State University to report the find, and Joe Running, a Native American archaeology professor, drives down to the orchard to investigate. One thing leads to another, and Joe soon realizes this artifact is from the Clovis culture, a very rare and exciting find. Adventure is in store for the trio as archeologists move into the orchard and try to uncover the secrets of the past. As the press and public move in, a horrific discovery is made at one of the dig sites. All are at a loss of what to do, and the plot thickens as past secrets begin to come to light. This story is not without many plot twists. Readers will find a murder in store, peaceful protests, love affairs, and deceitful characters.

Fink did an excellent job with the plotline, character dialect, and conclusion. I thought the way the story played out was exceptionally clever, and I could not guess as I read what the ending had in store. Rich in Native American and Hispanic culture, this book holds diverse characters and strong female leads. I especially appreciated the anecdotes about Joe’s life on the reservation, as well as what his experience was growing up as a Native American in the United States. Exceptionally thought-provoking, I found myself curious to learn more about current Native American reservations and their whereabouts. Fink did a wonderful job capturing the importance of preserving Native American artifacts and protecting their land. Although focused on archaeology, this read really would interest any adult reader. A beautifully written mystery, Fink’s tale is one you do not want to miss out on!