The use of Jonesy is sought after by many government agencies, but Rachel’s fondest hope is that it will somehow lead her to a cure for her sister's debilitating, terminal disease. Rachel is obsessed with finding this cure for Allie but she still tries to use good common sense when looking at situations. 

After being shot on her way to work one morning, Rachel receives an e-mail from Egyptologist/archaeologist John Tavak who claims to be using Jonesy, causing the computer to slow down. Tavak says he is in a collapsed Egyptian tomb and if Rachel can help get him out, he thinks he has the cure for the disease eating away at Allie’s central nervous system.  Before Rachel agrees to anything, she tries to learn all she can about Tavak and exchanges time on Jonesy with a government agency if they will help get Tavak out of the tomb. 

What follows is an intriguing mix of the past and present. Rachel goes to Egypt to try and help John and what follows is reminiscent of Indiana Jones.  Rachel is very admirable in her dedication and devotion to her sister and her sister’s health, but she has some unbelievable sides to herself, including her academic career and her almost instantaneous attraction to John. 

The idea of Jonesy is an intriguing one, and while the government would most likely be more than interested in getting its hands on something like this, and the NSA has a lot to say about Rachel’s research, it may not be integral to the plot.  History fans may be very interested to learn that female physicians were very common in Ancient Egypt and the idea that Lady Peseshet, credited as being the first female physician, had come up with a way for damaged nerves to regenerate. 

There is enough action and intrigue in Storm Cycle for two books and readers are asked one or two times too often to willingly suspend their disbelief.  Anyone looking for a quick read who likes their stories with a lot of action will enjoy this one, but those looking for something a little more to sink their teeth into may be disappointed.                                    

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry