A New York Times BestsellerAnne Hillerman brings together modern mystery, Navajo traditions, and the evocative landscape of the desert Southwest in this intriguing entry in the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito series.When Tribal Police Officer Bernadette Manuelito arrives to speak at an outdoor character-building program for at-risk teens, she discovers chaos. Annie, a young participant on a solo … she discovers chaos. Annie, a young participant on a solo experience due back hours before, has just returned and is traumatized. Gently questioning the girl, Bernie learns that Annie stumbled upon a human skeleton on her trek. While everyone is relieved that Annie is back, they’re concerned about a beloved instructor who went out into the wilds of the rugged lava wilderness bordering Ramah Navajo Reservation to find the missing girl. The instructor vanished somewhere in the volcanic landscape known as El Malpais. In Navajo lore, the lava caves and tubes are believed to be the solidified blood of a terrible monster killed by superhuman twin warriors.
Solving the twin mysteries will expose Bernie to the chilling face of human evil. The instructor’s disappearance mirrors a long-ago search that may be connected to a case in which the legendary Joe Leaphorn played a crucial role. But before Bernie can find the truth, an unexpected blizzard, a suspicious accidental drowning, and the arrival of a new FBI agent complicate the investigation.
While Bernie searches for answers in her case, her husband, Sergeant Jim Chee juggles trouble closer to home. A vengeful man he sent to prison for domestic violence is back—and involved with Bernie’s sister Darleen. Their relationship creates a dilemma that puts Chee in uncomfortable emotional territory that challenges him as family man, a police officer, and as a one-time medicine man in training.
Anne Hillerman takes us deep into the heart of the deserts, mountains, and forests of New Mexico and once again explores the lore and rituals of Navajo culture in this gripping entry in her atmospheric crime series.
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I enjoy reading father and daughter Hillerman books. They include a lot about the Navajo culture.
Good continuation of her fathers books based in the four corners area. Seems to be well researched with regard to Navajo culture.
Her books are well written and her dad Uldale not only our of her. She has the ability to create wonderful characters.
Couldn’t put it down.
I have all of her fathers books. now I am beginning to collect hers. each new book seems better then the last. leaphorn and chee working together are my favorites. all of these books are an adventure you want to be a part of – imaginative, thought provoking, plots turning and twisting and even if you’re sure of the villain, you won’t figure out how the evil doer is brought to justice!
Absorbing with good characters and good premise.
I miss Tony Hillerman and enjoyed this book just as much as his.
This book stands on it’s own as a good read but as a fan of Tony Hillerman I find the continuation of his work to be very satisfying in this book. That aside, the story was very enjoyable and kept me interested. Cave of Bones is not a clone but keeps the tone of previous books by Tony Hillerman while being an entirely new read. I will follow this writer with enthusiasm.
Compared to her dad not as good a writer. Too much filler.
Great novel love that it’s set in the southwest
I always enjoy reading Hillerman, both father and daughter. If you are native american , you will enjoy these authors. You get to know and enjoy the characters.
I like Anne Hillerman because she write just like her dad and the stories are always good.
Fine continuing extension of Tony Hillerman’s universe by his daughter with a greater emphasis on the female characters.
Not Tony Hillerman, but OK…just not the same immersion into Navajo lore and way of life. A good mystery.
Love all of her books, and have read them all
Tony Hillerman was the best! But now the characters are available through his daughter. It’s a good & entertaining read.
Author needs to use a thesaurus. While very informed about Indians, found it boring. Not my style of book.
I loved it: I was a big fan of her Dad’s books and she writes in the same style. Hope she keeps going with the series.
Anne Hillerman has done a fabulous job following in her father’s footsteps and continuing the Leaphorn/ Chee series. She has also made a female character central to many of her books, including this one. Besides the mystery, Hillerman’s books teach a lot about the lives and culture of America’s indigenous peoples. I look forward to the next installment.
I reviewed this on Audible, so I’m not sure why I should do this both places, but here goes. I’ve read all of both Tony and Anne Hillermans’ books. They are all wonderful. They each contain a well-plotted mystery and a likable cast characters
set in a a rich and interesting setting of Southwestern Indian cultures and geography. It is a unique contribution to mystery writing fiction that immerses the reader in pure delight. (But, then, I am an anthropologist, so this is something that would be a particular treat for me anyway).