One of my guilty pleasures is reading J. Michael Orenduff’s “Pot Thief” Series of books. It is a about a pot seller (like in ancient southwestern Indian pots, not marijuana) named Hubert Schuze who owns has his shop, and adjoining residence in the Old Town section of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Hubert gets most of stock from two sources, he digs the pots up in total violation of Federal Law, and he makes very good copies of existing pots. He is not greedy but he has lots of expenses. He is helping his nephew get through college and he is helping an elderly couple with their steep medical expenses. Still, when he has enough, he is liable to close the shop and take a nap.
In this latest adventure, Hubert is induced to give a lecture on old Anasazi pots at the University of New Mexico’s D.H. Lawrence Ranch. He has a second agenda. Somebody has offered him a three for one trade if he can find an old Taos Pueblo pot that somebody wants.
(photo by Yogi, Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ, Work by Dorothy Torivio of Acoma Pueblo)
Hubert goes to the ranch, and a bad snowstorm hits. There is no way in or out, the telephone lines are down and there are zero bars on the cell phones. There are about ten guests and some staff people, and guess what. Somebody starts killing the guests!
(Another photo by me from the Heard Museum in Phoenix, a Hopi Tewa jar by Helen Naha)
So we have a classic murder mystery but this one is self conscious. The characters talk about the classic murder mysteries and so the story is kind of inside out.
All I can say is that Mr. Orenduff is a great writer, the books are readable and interesting and full of southwestern culture. I give the book four stars out of five. Which is great.
You can get the book from Mr. Orenduff himself. He’ll mail it postage free and autograph it, or you can order it off Amazon. You can get them very reasonably priced for the Kindle.
He is working on “The Pot Thief who studied Lew Wallace.” I can’t hardly wait.
My reviews of Mr. Orenduff’s other books (totally out of order!!):
The Pot Thief who Studied Pythagoras
The Pot Thief who Studied Escoffier
The Pot Thief who Studied Ptolemy
The Pot Thief who Studied Einstein
you did have me going there for a moment Yogi! I initially took pot to mean “weed”. Hey, I’m a child of the 60’s. Thanks for turning me on (do’h!) to the series by Mr. Orenduff it sounds like a nail-biter and I do love me a good mystery. I also love the history of that area and have always wanted to visit the D.H. Lawrence ranch. So far haven’t made it whenever I’ve visited northern N.M. but it’s on my list. One of my favorite Georgia paintings is The Lawrence Tree. But I digress. All pleasant thoughts though! Happy Tuesday to you Yogi.
oh even more reason to spend time in ABQ next trip … we saw some amazing pottery, all way out of my budget but when my sister visited ABQ eons back she brought me back a teeny tiny pot .. I need to get the macro out and take a photo ..
I am totally going to check these out.
Sounds exciting about a thief and a murder mystery. How cool to be able to get a signed copy directly from the author.
You have me intrigued–and you had me going, too. That sounds like a great read. What a bizarre and fabulous plot line, too.
Well, I must ‘fess up….I first thought of pot in a whole ‘nother area. Glad you clarified that. And the book series…the one you describe; sounds very good!!!
I like your pots too. Sounds like n entertaining series.
Hey Yogi,
Thanks for the great review. It’s clear that you “get” the character and the plot devices.
For Ms Becky, “The Lawrence Tree” is mentioned in the book and plays a small part in the story.
For everyone – the Lawrence Ranch and Taos are unique places and well worth a visit.
Mike Orenduff
Beautiful pottery