Michael Gruber, Night of the Jaguar

Night of the Jaguar

Michael Gruber

Morrow, Apr 2006, $24.95, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0060577681

Before the dead priest, murdered in a gangland slaying, can go to the spirit realm, he speaks to the shaman Moie, a member of the Runiya tribe in the Amazonian Rain Forest. He tells Moie that a group of Cuban-Americans in Miami are planning to cut down the trees in the government protected Puxto Preserve, which will yield to them millions in mahogany wood

Moie travels to Miami with Jaguar, one of the gods who will help him with his quest to prevent the destruction. Two men died with Jaguar's claw marks scratched on their front doors. Another man survived his experience with Jaguar. The police are baffled and ask former cop Jimmy Paz to help because he has experience with "weird' cases. He wants to decline because he fears acceptance could place his daughter in danger from the Jaguar, as they have dreamed of him. However, Jimmy realizes he must join the fray, otherwise his daughter will be in danger from Jaguar, though he knows he must confront deadly humans, a shaman and a lethal god.

NIGHT OF THE JAGUAR is a supernatural thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seats wondering what happens next. The audience will also ponder whether Jaguar is a god, an alter ego of Moie, a shape-shifter, or something else. There is plenty of action, but not at the cost of character development; as the key players, Moie, Jaguar and Jimmy are fully developed and very complex. The support cast enhances either the action or the lead triangle. Readers will want additional Paz thrillers from Michael Gruber.