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Shelly M Neinast
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The Curse of the Ruby Eyes (The Twelve Gems of Murder Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Shelly M Neinast (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 38 ratings
Who or What is Killing Archeologist's

Dark secrets lurk in Amelia Albert's family history, and the murder of her great grandfather spurs her to become a detective investigator. However, what she was about to discover was more than what she'd ever expected to find.
Amelia didn't believe in curses or the supernatural kind until she saw her first homicide case. They found a pile of ash on the ground, along with a small stone dragon at the scene, and a Burmese curse written on the wall reminded her of notes she had read from her great grandfather's unsolved murder in 1938.
Amelia partners with her boss, Detective Robert Flatterly, to work the case, and Amelia's ancestry becomes the focal point of the case. She discovers the roots go much deeper into the past than she thought. Seven hundred years in the past, to be exact.
She uncovers that a tattoo she received along with her best friend Serafina, when they were younger, was created with ink made by Serafina's grandma who practiced voodoo. When Amelia unknowingly rubs on her tattoo, it transported her to the past, giving Amelia a different perspective on the crimes committed.
After solving her first supernatural crime, Amelia decides to open a new secret department within her cold case department called, The Department of Investigations of Supernatural Crimes (D. I. S, C) at the Rose Arbor Island Police Department.
Can Amelia and Detective Flatterly find the scroll that can extinguish the curse and send the Naga Dragon back to the Netherworld permanently? Or will they become ash like the other victims?
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    The Twelve Gems of Murder
  2. Print length
    265 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    April 6, 2021
  6. Reading age
    16 - 18 years
  7. File size
    3.1 MB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 4 books in this series.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B091Y4RVKX
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Shelly M Neinast
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 6, 2021
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.1 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 265 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 4 ‏ : ‎ The Twelve Gems of Murder
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 16 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 38 ratings

About the author

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Shelly M Neinast

Shelly M Neinast

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Shelly M. Neinast was born in Anaheim, California. Traveling had inspired her creativity in writing through her travels abroad in the cultural differences leading her to seek a BA degree in History and Anthropology introducing her to the fantasy and cultural folklore genres. She writes supernatural suspense mysteries, paranormal/time travel, and in the folklore genres. She has published three novels and is currently working on her next adventurous mystery. When not writing, she enjoys gardening, sewing, and traveling, and currently lives in Vancouver, Washington.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
38 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging with its supernatural horror elements and appreciate the interesting characters, particularly Amelia. Moreover, the storyline incorporates elements of archaeology, and one customer notes it takes place in Rhode Island. Additionally, the book serves as a great start to a series, and customers praise its charm, with one describing it as a "charming best friend Serafina."

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14 customers mention "Suspenseful"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful and engaging supernatural horror, with one customer noting it's a great beginning to an intriguing series.

"...best friend Serafina, and other metaphysical characters to create a very fun, twisty mystery...." Read more

"An interesting read. The plot is interesting and full of suspense...." Read more

"...There is a nice blend of archreology, voodoo, and the supernatural that Amelia must not only use but also accept, in order to solve these crimes and..." Read more

"I thought this book was very unique, using both archaeology a nond m magic together...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book, finding them interesting, with one customer specifically mentioning Amelia as a lovable character.

"...Add in the charming best friend Serafina, and other metaphysical characters to create a very fun, twisty mystery...." Read more

"...Amelia is a lovable character...." Read more

"...The characters were interesting, especially Amelia's best friend, Serafina. I can't wait for the next story." Read more

"...It was great to see locations I recognize. The characters were well developed and I look forward to more from the author." Read more

5 customers mention "Storyline"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of this paranormal mystery book, with several noting that the supernatural elements are believable, and one customer mentioning that the story takes place in Rhode Island.

"...The delightful story moves from present time to exciting events in the past as Amelia struggles to solve the supernatural crime...." Read more

"...There is a good mix of archaeology and paranormal mystery (voodoo magic, dragons, and ancient curses). Amelia is a lovable character...." Read more

"...that not all as it appears to be and she finds out that the supernatural is real and not made up and that she has her own abilities as an ancient..." Read more

"...repetitious, but overall a good read involving elements of mystery, supernatural, time travel, as well as romance." Read more

4 customers mention "Archaeology"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the archaeology elements in the book.

"...The plot is interesting and full of suspense. There is a good mix of archaeology and paranormal mystery (voodoo magic, dragons, and ancient curses)...." Read more

"...There is a nice blend of archreology, voodoo, and the supernatural that Amelia must not only use but also accept, in order to solve these crimes and..." Read more

"I thought this book was very unique, using both archaeology a nond m magic together...." Read more

"Great storytelling, and love the archaeology stuff. Brilliant start to a new series...." Read more

4 customers mention "Start date"4 positive0 negative

Customers like the start of the series, with one mentioning how it immediately immerses readers into the plot.

"This is a great start to a series. Amelia is a strong female character. And I am happy she found a partner in Robert...." Read more

"...You are immediately immersed into the plot. It starts off with the prologue with Ben and his brother Mobed fleeing the temple with red rubies...." Read more

"Great storytelling, and love the archaeology stuff. Brilliant start to a new series...." Read more

"Great Way To Start a Series!..." Read more

3 customers mention "Charm"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book charming, with one mentioning its gorgeous cover design and another noting how adorable the characters Amelia and Robert are together.

"...Amelia and Robert were adorable together. Add in the charming best friend Serafina, and other metaphysical characters to create a very fun, twisty..." Read more

"...There's more in the series, and I thought the front was cool with the green and the lettering." Read more

"I love fantasy of all types. This was a really charming page turner. Simple escapism, fantasy, clean fun...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • MistyMartin
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Supernatural Mystery!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Gorgeous cover design! Amelia Albert becomes a detective and investigates her great grandfather’s mysterious murder. The delightful story moves from present time to exciting events in the past as Amelia struggles to solve the supernatural crime. I enjoyed the characters very much. Amelia and Robert were adorable together. Add in the charming best friend Serafina, and other metaphysical characters to create a very fun, twisty mystery. This story made me smile at every turn and I look forward to reading more in the series.
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  • JR Wu-Wong
    4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting read.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    An interesting read.

    The plot is interesting and full of suspense. There is a good mix of archaeology and paranormal mystery (voodoo magic, dragons, and ancient curses). Amelia is a lovable character. It’ll be an even better read if the author can minimize the use of dialogue tags and the word “but” (hundreds of “said” and “but” throughout the pages).
    Helpful
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  • Stefanie N
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Way To Start a Series!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Detective Amelia Albert is on a mission to connect the dots of her investigtions to the mystery of her own grandfather's cold case murder. With the help of her partner Robert, and best friend Serafina, they are invested in getting to the bottom of these eerily similar crimes.
    There is a nice blend of archreology, voodoo, and the supernatural that Amelia must not only use but also accept, in order to solve these crimes and come face to face with The Curse of Those Ruby Eyes!
    Helpful
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  • Krystal R
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
    Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I thought this book was very unique, using both archaeology a nond m magic together. It brought me back to the days when I was an anthropology major and would research as much as I could for my papers. The characters were interesting, especially Amelia's best friend, Serafina.

    I can't wait for the next story.
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  • jdgriffith78
    5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful supernatural crime thriller
    Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The story revolves around Amelia who has finished college and has joined the police force as a detective that will handle cold cases. Her world goes topsy turvy when she finds a strange connection to a rash of recent brutal murders, where the victims were burned into a pile of ash with a strange little statue in it, and her great grandfather's death eighty-one years ago, using the same MO. As the story unfolds, Amelia discovers that not all as it appears to be and she finds out that the supernatural is real and not made up and that she has her own abilities as an ancient evil threatens to destroy her and her associates. Can Amelia unravel the mystery or will she end up as the next pile of ash? Read for yourself. It's a great beginning to an intriguing series. I can't wait to read the next one. I highly recommend this one!
    One person found this helpful
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  • KatieP
    3.0 out of 5 stars interesting story but needs more editing
    Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2022
    While the story itself is interesting, this book needs a more thorough edit before it’s enjoyable to read.
    There are historical inaccuracies that yank you out of the narrative, and the writing style is very stilted and repetitive, and full of long, dull info dumps. The tense changes are jarring. 
I think this book has a lot of unmet potential.
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good
    Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting story. I don't read a lot of instalove, but this was pretty good. There's more in the series, and I thought the front was cool with the green and the lettering.
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  • Kela Calvin
    4.0 out of 5 stars Mystique!!!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Reading this novel was a mystique experience. This tale consisted of Amelia, a newly hired investigator working on her great grandfather's cold case murder. During this time she meets a co worker, Robert, that she is head over hills for. Solving crimes has lead her down paranormal paths and wondering how on earth will these crimes ever be solved. Some parts of the story were repetitious, but overall a good read involving elements of mystery, supernatural, time travel, as well as romance.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • fantasy reader
    3.0 out of 5 stars Good story in dire need of a good editor
    Reviewed in Canada on July 30, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    There is a good, perhaps even compelling story here. It somewhat evokes the old movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark. It has that 80s action-adventure-supernatural melodramatic feel to it. However, it is a novel and as such, is in dire need of a good editor who understands the craft of novel writing. There are pages of exposition that are info-dumped onto the reader, changes in points of view and tenses from one paragraph to the next, very stilted unnatural dialogue, all of which flipped me out of the read and made it very difficult for me to enjoy the story.
    Report
  • Amazon Reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Supernatural thrill
    Reviewed in India on January 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Amelia is an astounding character created by the writer in a fantasy land Cajun country. Investigating murder case of her great grandfather, she finds a sincere support from Robert and Serafina. The story has novelty all through it. It keeps you guessing.
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  • harryup n. giveitago (Italian on my mothers side)
    5.0 out of 5 stars A splendid supernatural crime thriller
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A splendid supernatural crime thriller full of voodoo and intrigue and can’t wait to dive right into the other books
    In All…the copious amounts of coffee was worth it!
    Report
  • Karen Inkle
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Amelia, a new detective, set to review cold cases but first, a very recent homicide that needed her archaeological expertise. With the ability to travel back in time by rubbing her tattooed wrist, this helps her start to piece together mysterious happenings that lead to the murder of a family member.
    A great young adult book which couples criminsl activities with the paranormal. Characters are well developed with interesting roles which you quickly warm to. If you like this genre or if its your first time of venturing into the supernatural then it's a good choice.
    Report
  • Kindle reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars fun YA
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Amelia is a detective working on cold cases. She ends up investigating her grandfather’s death some 80 years ago, and finds it has many similarities to some current murder investigations.

    It’s a fun story with an interesting plot and plenty of supernatural elements. Amelia is a likeable character as is her best friend Serafina, and her boyfriend Robert. And I enjoyed the grey area of Ben- villain-but-not-villain.

    I felt the dialogue seemed a little unnatural and forced in places, but other than that, there was nothing not to like about this book.
    Report

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