Peter Pike and the Murderous Mormons (Peter Pike #1)

Strange days in St. Baarlam, Illinois (real-life Quincy): Routine Dept. of Transportation excavation has uncovered an ancient city of stone built by an unknown race and in it, a flaming sword of crystal, golden tablets in an unknown alphabet, mass graves of decapitated skeletons with stakes jammed in their mouths.

What does it all mean?

The Mormon’s Avenging Angel, Chief Fear of the Chaddhu Nation, Aunt Mary the town mystic, crooked archeologists, a funny little DOT man who reeks of sulphur and leaves unexplained fires in his wake don’t care what it means. They just want that priceless ancient loot. And it’s up to intrepid homeless vet, former MP turned-detective Peter Pike and his on-again, off-again squeeze Tina the salon owner to sort out the truth. And make it out alive. Say, why do they call Pike Vietnam Johnny anyway?