Title: The Sixth World:

Author:  Margaret Evans

 ISBN: 1413400531

The following review was contributed by: Paul Lappen & CLICK TO VIEW Paul Lappen's Reviews

Set in present-day California, Joe Magee is a
world-renowned anthropologist and expert on Mayan
culture, working for a local museum. He is set to lead
an expedition into California's Central Valley to
explore the bizarre possibility that Mayan culture may
have made it that far north, before they disappeared
many centuries ago. Magee is told to include Amy
Parrish, another world-renowned Mayan expert, in the
expedition. The museum Board is less than convinced
that it is a good idea.

She moves into Magee's isolated house in the hills,
and the two immerse themselves in Mayan culture. One
night, a strange computer virus is found on Joe's
laptop, where he keeps his scientific data. The
computer seems to turn on by itself, and sends Joe's
files to an unknown location. Sean Gables is another
museum employee, who is not what he seems. Sometimes,
he is legitimately helpful to Joe and Amy, and other
times, he acts, well, the word "slimy" comes to mind.
Strange things are going on, but neither Joe or Amy
can put their finger on it.

Later, a dead body is found in the nearby hills, a
Hispanic male with his heart cut out. For most people,
this is just a particularly gruesome murder, but for
Joe and Amy, it means a lot more. According to Mayan
prophecy, the Fifth World is ending, and the Sixth
World will be coming in a few years. It is to be
preceeded by three human sacrifices. Days later, two
more bodies are found with their hearts removed, right
on time. Someone is putting up a very large Keep Out
sign. Joe has an anonymous benefactor paying him a lot
of money to find Mayan culture in those hills. The
Sixth World is characterized by a shift in the earth's
magnetic pole, causing worldwide catastrophe. At that
time, Mayan culture will rise again, and rule the
world. During a mini-expedition in the hills with some
college students, Joe and Amy make some huge
discoveries which prove that the rumors of Mayan
culture making it as far north as central California
are not just rumors.

This is a really good thriller story. My only
criticism is that the first half of the book could
have moved a little faster. Stick with the book, and
this is a story that will give the reader plenty to
think about. Also, keep an eye on the month of
December, 2012. According to Mayan prophecy, at that
time, big things are supposed to happen.