The Charm: A Southwestern Supernatural Thriller

Arizona archeologist Jack Foreman unwittingly unleashes a demonic, tornado-like force on the Southwest in Niswander's fast-paced, well-written debut, the first installment in a projected three-volume series entitled ``The Shaman Cycle.'' Imprisoned 500 years ago by a ``Great Gathering'' of Native Americans and the power of a sacred charm, this instrument of mass bloodshed and destruction must be stopped by a second gathering. Enlisting the aid of Arizona police detective Greg Johnson, New Mexico tribal police sergeant Ed Twohats Redfield and TV weatherman Matt Sharp, Foreman helps shamans from 12 tribes join together to defeat the ``beast'' in two temporal and three spiritual domains--not an easy task, even with the ancient amulet. An ultimate sacrifice seems to be required, and Jack volunteers to make sure the demon is destroyed once and for all. Niswander invests his characters with colorful personalities, displays knowledge of and respect for Native American culture and knows how to weave disparate story lines together into a compelling whole. (Oct.)