Incident at Devil's Finger by Larry Witham
What's It About?
When a performance artist’s stunt goes terribly wrong, ending in an explosion and the destruction of an enormous Red Rock formation, art sleuth Julian Peale is on the case, looking where the authorities are not — into the mysterious artworld tied to the artist.A novel that, quite literally, starts off with a Bang! When a parachute stunt by an ambitious performance artist goes wrong, a massive red stone monolith comes crashing down, obliterated on the desert floor. While the authorities scramble to hold someone responsible for this explosive act of sabotage, an accomplished investigator looks deeper into the mysterious artist, who goes by the name Magnifica.
Incident at Devil’s Finger explores the glamorous, fiercely competitive side of the art world, as well as its darker corners, in a pulse-pounding story that will keep readers turning the pages. Author Larry Witham introduces us to an array of provocative characters that includes mob bosses, eccentric billionaires, brilliant artists, jealous partners and a number of dubious individuals who will do just about anything to get rich.
Destruction Amidst Stunning Setting
The book opens at a relatively relaxed pace; art historian and freelance investigator Julian Peale takes in the awe-inspiring pinnacles and red rock monoliths of Sedona, Arizona. Meanwhile, an up-and-coming daredevil and artist plans to drop from the sky in spectacular fashion for her latest performance amidst the visually stunning, natural landscape.
The tone of this story takes a sudden turn as the crowd witnesses a series of explosions, the toppling of the enormous Devil’s Finger monument, and the possible demise of the artist Magnifica. After the initial panic is subdued and the smoke clears, Magnifica has managed to survive but the rock formation is destroyed, and spectators are left shaken.
Was it an act of terrorism, a protest of some kind, or was Magnifica the target of the attack all along? While law enforcement is left with very few clues to follow, Peale suspects that taking a closer look at the artist herself may be the best lead.
Exciting Ride Around the Country
Incident at Devil’s Finger opens with the central purpose of discovering who caused the explosion in the high-mountain desert, but Peale’s investigation quickly reveals additional secrets that will take readers on an exciting ride around the country. Magnifica’s history and personal life raise a number of intriguing questions that implicate wealthy art patrons, tech millionaires, hackers and rival artists.
As Peale searches for answers, he’ll come face to face with nefarious criminals, greedy executives and a number of unexpected allies, each with their own set of complicated motivations and desires.
Author Larry Witham is masterful in depicting setting, moving through Chicago courtrooms and the clamorous streets of LA, into secretive bunkers of high-profile art collectors, as well as several sprawling, outdoor art festivals in secluded desert locations. Witham demonstrates considerable talent in bringing each scene to life within a palpable, detailed environment.
Even more impressive is the wide variety of locations in which this story unfolds. The author depicts luxurious high-rise buildings, seedy mob hangouts, police stations and expansive outdoor vistas, each with a keen eye for detail and in a way that places the reader right alongside the characters to see every scene as it unfolds.
High-Stakes, Suspenseful Action
In addition to setting, Witham incorporates the perspective of a large number of supporting characters in a way that works really well.
Incident at Devil’s Finger is not just a single protagonist, moving from room to room to look for clues. This book goes well beyond the detective trope to include the thoughts, actions, conversations, desires and passions of many of the cast; both the heroes and the villains. We discover that many of the characters in this story are complex, textured and driven by a wide spectrum of motivations.
In addition to the initial caper, readers will learn that something even bigger is in the works; centering on an edgy art festival outside of Reno, Nevada called Oracle of Fire. Tension builds, passions flare, loyalty is questioned, and Magnifica finds herself being drawn into another feat that could either be the greatest performance of her career or end in another disaster. Pressure mounts, action is continuous and the stakes are high all the way to the very last page of Incident at Devil’s Finger.
About Larry Witham:
Larry Witham is an author, editor, journalist, and artist. Witham has written seventeen books, mainly nonfiction. He was a finalist in the 2015 Pen Literary Awards for biography. He began his writing career as a daily newspaper reporter in Washington D.C., a job he held for twenty-one years. He went on to write and edit books full-time. Witham has received several national awards for his newspaper work and books, and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize for a series he co-wrote on the clergy in America. He was Project Editor for the ten-volume Templeton Press science-and-religion series and was editor of Science and Spirit magazine in 2007. A painter by avocation, Witham is currently exploring new art and writing projects. He has a bachelor’s degree in painting from San Jose State University (1974). Witham lives with his wife in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C.
