Bones of a Melungion woman are found in the remote Appalachian Mountains. Melungions are people who are descended from a mix of Portuguese and Native Americans and are considered to be second class in the mountains of Virginia.  Tom learns the woman was Pauline Turner McClure who disappeared ten years ago after her wealthy husband vanished.  Tom, who is half Melungion, is more intrigued by the case because his father was the original investigating officer in Pauline’s disappearance.  

Rachel gets involved when she unwittingly hires Pauline’s niece Holly, against the wishes of Holly’s relatives.  Holly’s family, including her father, are known local drug dealers and are now suspects in Pauline’s disappearance and death.  When Tim is shot and Rachel’s new life is threatened, Tom knows he must solve this case no matter the cost to his deceased father’s memory.

Gothic overtones and a rural Virginia community with many hidden secrets create the perfect atmosphere for a ten year old mystery.  The history and heritage of the Melungion people and their fight for acceptance is fascinating and will most likely be a group of people many don’t know of. Rachel does not figure as prominently in this story as in her first mystery (The Heat of the Moon), and gets a chance to develop as a fuller character, not just someone with a tragic past and many skeletons to overcome.  Tom is equally interesting as he is just learning about parts of his history, parts that many people might have wished stayed hidden.  

The mystery is as rich as the atmosphere and draws readers deeper into the community as they read through the novel.  Disturbing the Dead, a mystery with plenty of historic and social detail, will keep readers thoroughly engrossed and wishing to visit Mountainveiw again before too long.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry