Aaron Elkins, Little Tiny Teeth

Little Tiny Teeth

Aaron Elkins

Berkley, June 2007, $23.95

ISBN: 042521530X

The three friends (forensics anthropologist Gideon Oliver, travel agent Phil Boyajian and FBI agent John Lau) are on vacation traveling on the ship Adelita complements of Amazonia Cruise Lines. Also on board the ship are a bunch of research botanists studying life on the Amazon. Whereas Phil considers the trip's potential for his customers, Gideon enjoys the habitat, and John "analyzes" the other passengers. However, Gideon and Phil also quickly realize how tense an isolated trio is, as famous ethnobotanist Arden Scofield seems to be arguing vehemently with his companions.

The fascinating vacation abruptly ends when another traveler kills a botanist before diving into the river. Soon afterward a skeleton floats by, as piranhas had quite a recent feast. Gideon and John know that there is more to these deaths than meets the eye, but neither they or Phil realize how much danger they are in, although they are aware that drug smugglers use these isolated waters, and nearby, in concealment, are the deadly Chayacuro headhunters. However, the real danger comes from a feud decades old, in which neither side allows witnesses to survive the human predators that stalk the jungle.

The atmosphere grips the audience, as the trip on the Amazon deeper into the jungle is filled with foreboding and thick suspense (kind of mindful of the Amazon Queen). Thus, the reader knows from the moment that this is no longer Iowa that this will not be a pleasant journey for anyone on board. Fans of deep suspense thrillers will want to trek along with Professor Gideon, as the "skeleton detective" has his toughest case, not becoming fish bait.