The Mayan Secrets

Publishers Weekly Early in bestseller Cussler’s engaging fifth Fargo novel, this one like 2012’s The Tombs with coauthor Perry, intrepid Sam and Remi Fargo, who have been tagging Great White sharks off the west coast of Mexico, volunteer their services after an earthquake hits the mainland. While packing medical supplies into an isolated mountain village, they stumble across a hidden Mayan tomb that contains a tremendous find: an extremely rare 486-year-old codex. Because of the earthquake chaos, they take it back home to La Jolla, Calif., where Mayan expert David Caine fills them in on the value of their find. Of course, someone else wants the codex, in this case an immensely wealthy amateur archeologist, Sarah Allersby, who first tries to buy it, then later tries to steal it. Eventually, the Fargos begin a chase involving the literal unearthing of several Mayan cities. They narrowly escape many attempts on their lives en route to the thrilling climax. Agent: Peter Lampack, Peter Lampack Agency. (Sept.)