An Artifact of Death
About this ebook
A reverend caught in a deadly ritual.
A canyon echoing with betrayal.
Reverend Cici Gurule retreats to Chaco Canyon, seeking clarity at a crossroads: accept a prestigious megachurch offer or stay rooted in Santa Fe. But when she interrupts a covert execution and saves a man marked for death, she ignites a lethal chase across sacred land.
As bullets fly and loyalties fracture, Cici uncovers a conspiracy tied to a stolen Navajo artifact and ancient secrets carved into stone. Guided by her ghostly twin and ancestral voices, she must decide who to trust before time runs out.
A tense, spiritually-charged mystery set against breathtaking landscapes—ideal for fans of Nevada Barr, Tana French, and Julia Spencer-Fleming.
TIMELESS PRAISE FOR J.J. Cagney
“A wholly absorbing gumshoe tale elevated by an extraordinary detective.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Vivid, alluring, and heart‑wrenching… every reason I love mystery.” —New York Times Bestseller Darynda Jones
“Written in a clear, distinct style, Padgett uses the prose to elicit tension and emotion and creates a tense, fast-paced story.” —The BookLife Prize
"An edge-of-my-seat thrill ride that kept me guessing all the way through." — USA Today Bestseller Allyson Lindt
“The prose is…sublimely concise.” —Kirkus Reviews
“I’m pretty giddy that this will be a series! It’s packed with a good mystery and the cat and mouse makes it hard to put down.” —Next Book Review
“An exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series.” —Kirkus Reviews
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About the author
J.J. Cagney writes twisty, atmospheric mysteries and thrillers where every clue is a risk—and every secret comes with a cost. Her award-winning novels feature smart, determined heroines navigating dangerous terrain, both literal and emotional, from New Mexico’s high deserts to Yellowstone’s wild frontiers.
Cagney is best known for the acclaimed Cici Gurule Mysteries, including A Pilgrimage to Death—named one of Kirkus Reviews’ 100 Best Books of 2018, winner of the National Indie Excellence Award, and a Goodreads Best Mysteries reader favorite. An Artifact of Death was praised as “an exhilarating entry in a thoroughly enjoyable series” (Kirkus Reviews) and recognized as a BookLife Award quarterfinalist. Her newer works, including Bayou Venom, have also earned her recognition as Judge’s Top Pick for both the Claymore and Silver Falchion Awards at Killer Nashville 2025.
Before turning to full-time storytelling, Cagney worked as a literary agent and marketing director for elite athletes, careers that sharpened her instincts for high-stakes drama and character-driven conflict. She now lives in northern New Mexico with her family, two mischievous dogs, and a small but suspiciously well-organized tank of fish.
Cagney’s next thriller, See Jane Run—a gripping cat-and-mouse survival story set deep in Yellowstone—releases August 2026 from City Owl Press.
