"Hubert Smith's long and intimate acquaintance with the people, sights and sounds of Yucatan rings through every page of this gripping tale. To follow his Detective Cocom down the many paths and byways of the Yucatan Peninsula, into its many villages and vast forests, is almost like being there again."
─Paul Sullivan, Anthropologist, Author of Contemporary Yucatec Maya
Apocalyptic Prophecy and Xulub Must Die
"Few books about the Maya have been able to capture the desperation and the cunning of villagers as Smith has done in this book. For Mayanists and other people interested in Latin America, this book is required reading and required thinking."
-Allan F. Burns, Professor of Anthropology and Latin American Studies,
University of Florida, Author of An Epoch of Miracles and Maya in Exile
For the past fifty years the Speaking Cross has rested in a shrine not far from Cancun. Now, it's been stolen by conspirators planning a catastrophic rebellion. Their bloody trail leads Detective Nelson Cocom and two lovely American anthropologists deep into the jungles of Southern Mexico. Along the way they encounter deep caves, murder, shamans, ancient battle chiefs, and madmen. Their thrilling trek takes them from the Caribbean Coast to the remote villages in a desperate search for the Speaking Cross.