Picnic In the Ruins
Picnic In the Ruins by Todd Robert Petersen, published by Catapult on January 5, 2021, is a 336-page work in English that blends elements of mystery and adventure. The narrative follows anthropologist Sophia Shepard as she investigates the effects of tourism on cultural sites near the Utah-Arizona border. Her research takes an unexpected turn when she encounters two small-time criminals, the Ashdown brothers, who are entangled in a scheme involving stolen maps and a former lobbyist’s ambitions for land development.
Readers will find a story that combines quirky humor with a thrilling plot, exploring themes of land ownership, historical narratives, and the ethics of preservation. As Sophia navigates a chaotic landscape filled with inept criminals and local law enforcement, the book raises questions about authenticity and mythology in the context of cultural heritage. This edition offers a unique perspective on the intersection of crime and anthropology, set against the backdrop of small-town dynamics and rural life.
Official synopsis Publisher
Named Best Mystery Thriller in the 2021 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards
“Part mystery; part quirky, darkly funny, mayhem-filled thriller; and part meditation on what it means to ‘own’ land, artifacts, and the narrative of history in the West . . . A fast-paced, highly entertaining hybrid of Tony Hillerman and Edward Abbey.” —Kirkus Reviews
Anthropologist Sophia Shepard is researching the impact of tourism on cultural sites in a remote national monument on the Utah-Arizona border when she crosses paths with two small-time criminals. The Ashdown brothers were hired to steal maps from a “collector” of Native American artifacts, but their ineptitude has alerted the local sheriff to their presence. Their employer, a former lobbyist seeking lucrative monument land that may soon be open to energy exploration, sends a fixer to clean up their mess. Suddenly, Sophia must put her theories to the test in the real world, and the stakes are higher than she could have ever imagined.
What begins as a madcap caper across the RV-strewn vacation lands of southern Utah becomes a meditation on mythology, authenticity, the ethics of preservation, and one nagging question: Who owns the past?
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Picnic In the Ruins” about?
Who is the author of “Picnic In the Ruins”?
When was “Picnic In the Ruins” published?
What is the ISBN for “Picnic In the Ruins”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
