Dr. Camra Penthor should've had it all. Endless family finances. Insufferable oversight. Wondrous opportunities. Choking micro-management. Destined to serve as a secretary for her father's commercial empire, a spirit of adventure and insatiable curiosity drove her literally into the wilderness - to a career in archaeology.

Harassed by every opportunity her Penthor clout opens, Camra finds herself joining the dust-diggers with the Global Union of Planetary Protection. Shamed but not severed from her family bonds, she's determined to craft a name for herself - even if it means sifting through ruins and skeletons hidden far from cameras, gossips, skin-deep sellouts, and even the ages.

When called upon to decide jurisdictional boundaries at the Early Heritage site, Dr. Penthor wonders if she's finally struck pay-dirt. Little could she have ever imagined...

Bury your treasure, bury it deep,
Hide it where shrouded secrets sleep...

Welcome to the A Carved in Stone SciFi Mystery series!

Discover your next reading adventures as you explore these shrines...

and please remember that every image and text on sdnightshade.com is intellectual property, and so is copyrighted. If you'd like to borrow or share anything that inspires you on this website, just hit that Contact button and ask permission first. Thanks, and enjoy!

Deadfall - Book 1

Join tenderfoot Dr. Camra Penthor, in her quest against time, competing authorities, and mass hysteria that's sweeping the ranks at the Early Heritage ruins.

Can she interpret the dreams, collect the sacrifices, unravel the ancient mysteries, and preserve peace across the dig site - before she winds up buried in the dust and ashes herself?

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The Powers That Be - Book 2

Dr. Penthor knew she was dabbling in strange unknowns from the first night of visions. But time and discoveries had only led to greater mysteries, not answers.

Nothing could've prepared her for her own funeral pyre - let alone the angelic being waiting to collect her soul. With more riddles than answers to untangle, Dr. Penthor discovers all too quickly that she's way out of her league. And the clock is ticking.

Toying with the powers of ancient, godlike beings spanning worlds, time, and dimensions, can Dr. Penthor unlock the mysteries of Queen Caimbriss, create an entire world of a kingdom, save half a thousand people, and broker peace between Sesol and La'Priece - before she loses her mind, her reign, her friends, and her growing prestige?

The Hunted - Book 3

So much to do, and so many places to search out solutions! But while the illustrious Queen Caimbriss busies herself with friends and window shopping across worlds and dimensions, La'Priece finds itself in a sudden pit of bloody quicksand.

By the time she finally attunes herself to answer their pleas and prayers, she finds her paradise roiling in panic.

While she finds herself completely out of her element to help them, the people she's been collecting find they've shown up right on time - but who will survive to tell the tale?

science fiction scifi adventure thriller horror intense suspense friends mythology goddess savages

Eager to dig in? The wait is over - get yours today!

The Cast

Meet the captivating crew that brought this series to life!

(Or at least the images that inspired the Carved characters...)

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Dr. Camra Penthor

Natural-Born Explorer Extraordinaire
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HR logistics business PR public relations diversity best friend minister court lord tiger safety fun

Dr. Jensa Danthal

Humanitarian Guru (and Non-Stop Best Friend)
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best friend magic mystery humanitarian aid minister court fairy faerie DnD D&D beautiful party style

Dr. Branson Ilorans

Human Relations Magician
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archaeology mystery detective suspense intrigue adventure fun explore heaven afterlife god garden

Lt. Sothren Estrelfan

City Designer Legend
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Images graciously provided by [Untitled] by EnsedaKimri, "Baroque Princess by JohnnyRed777, "Hadah Pidel" by fabxp80, "Brazilian Pearl" by JohnnyRed777, [Untitled] by EnsedaKimri.