The elderly Lokesh and Gendun surprisingly leave their mountain hermitage to accompany Shan. Along the way the different guides escort the Lama and his party until Gendun vanishes. Though worried about the Lama, Shan continues his trek. On every turn, Shan feels the hatred of the locals towards his own people and their destruction of the Ancient ways. Still, Shan risks his ôisolated freedomö and his life to insure a child killer is stopped.

WATER TOUCHING STONE is a mystery, but is more than just a who-done-it. The story line focuses on life along the Himalayas, especially looking at the Communist ChinaÆs impact on the Tibetan. This gives readers an insightful look at life in the area within an exciting adventure tale. The mystery is cleverly devised and in most novels would prove to be the dominant theme, but in Eliot PattisonÆs great story, the people are what make this another triumph for fans of the Edgar award-winning author (see THE SKULL MANTRA).