Moki Steps

MacKenzie Campbell, the protagonist of Reed’s contemporary romantic thriller, sets off on a search-and-rescue mission equipped with delusions of grand deeds and little else, much less good sense. When the University of Denver linguistics professor learns that her ex-boyfriend Charlie is lost somewhere among the canyons surrounding Lake Powell, she impulsively drops everything and takes up with a foundation-sponsored expedition in hopes of locating him. The plot meanders, making it anybody’s guess whether this is a Survivor knockoff or a watered down Lara Croft mystery—if Croft were an impetuous 34-year-old too headstrong to admit her own limitations. The romance part of this romantic suspense story is so subtle that by the time anything happens it’s more of a damp sparkler than a bottle rocket. The blend of Native American archeology-lite, Southwestern scenery, and tame romance is unlikely to find many fans. (Apr.)