Sheldon Russell ratchets the tension and mystery in both narratives as Jim and Coronado close in on--or are eluded by--what they seek. Coronado's carefully rendered, formal speech contrasts with the casual dialogue authentic to the plains today. A historical fiction thrill ride that builds to an Indiana Jones-style standoff, The Dig forces its characters--and readers--to grapple with an age-old proverb: all that glitters is not gold.
