An Artifact of Death

A sacred relic.
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.
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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