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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Having lived in New Mexico reading this was like a trip back.
Anne Hillerman has successfully continued her father’s exploration of Navajo civilization and culture. Her research is trustworthy. It must be difficult to take another writer’s literary characters and keep them true to the lives and attitudes their creator fashioned for them. Hillerman has done this very well, and the Chees and Leaphorn are continuing beyond their creator’s lifetime.
Excellent for those who have a great respect for Native American culture.
Having lived on the Navajo reservation, I enjoy Anne’s books and the history, traditions and lore of the people and their land! This one did not disappoint!
I enjoyed Tony Hillerman’s books for many years and didn’t know how I’d feel about Anne Hillerman taking over, but I have thus far enjoyed all her entries in the series. They are in the same vein, but different enough to feel like her own work rather than just a copy of his. I also like that she’s expanded the series and moved it forward in a way that makes sense rather than just an abrupt change.
How often do reborn franchises fail to meet the expectations of built up by the dearly departed original author? One series that dodged that bullet is Sue Grafton’s almost complete alphabet of mysteries. She stipulated, and her heirs honored her wishes, that Kinsey Millhone would be buried along with her. Well I’m thinking, based on a couple of her early books, that Anne Hillerman won’t disappoint the following of her father, Tony Hillerman. I wouldn’t even be surprised if she eclipsed him.
Ms Hillerman is following in her father’s footsteps and to date she is doing a very good job. Like her father she spins a great story. Having frown up in the SW I have an affinity for stories about the area and have found the Hillermans’ writing faithful to the genre andto the nature of that wonderful part of our country.
My daughter and I loved all of Tony Hillerman’s books and I think I’ve read every one of them. Anne is getting more and more like her father with each new book release.
Thanks for the Indian information and good mysteries.
Tony Hillerman was for me the model of an author who could create truly fascinating mysteries and take you into the land and the world of the Navajo nation. This made me especially sad at the time of his passing because his novels were a consistent please of excellent, flowing writing in an always interesting context. I asked a young Navajo studying with me once how people in the community felt about someone from the outside writing these widely read books. She said, “he understands.” So when it turned out that he had a daughter who could carry on this tradition, I was doubtful. She’s not yet at her Dad’s 5 star level, but she is surprisingly good and the characters live again.
As I’ve said regarding her late father, Tony Hillerman, I enjoy Anne Hillerman’s development of the same characters, in the 4 Corner’s setting (UT, AZ, NM, CO) / Navajo Nation. The character development, the locations, and the story line all make for an enjoyable read.
Another in the Hillerman series. I have always liked the details of the southwest from a different perspective (Native American) in the books. Reminds me, we’re not all alike, even in the USA.
Lots of talk, not much action. Deals with a lot of family issues that don’t relate to solving the mystery.
Just like her Dad good!
Anne Hellerman has taken up where here father left off and added a lot of her own to the story telling. This story is completely in line with the world of the reservation police that Tony built and every bit as edge of the seat as the rest of the series. Bravo and keep writing.
So glad that Tony Hillerman’s characters live on in his daughters well written sequel.
As good as her father, looking forward to reading more of her books. A wonderful look at the Pueblo culture and a very good plot.
Anne picks up where her father left off, but let’s the female characters shine.
She is a greatvwriter just like her father. I enjoyed the book.
All his books go mystery/action
I wouldn’t have believed that Anne Hillerman could have picked up so well on her father’s characters, spaces, and story lines, but she does. She is really filling out lesser known characters from the old series. Thank you, Anne.