Two Native-American boys have vanished into thin air, leaving a pool of blood behind them. Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police has no choice but to suspect the very worst, since the blood that stains the parched New Mexican ground once flowed through the veins of one of the missing, a young Zuñi. But his investigation into a terrible crime is being complicated by an important … archaeological dig . . . and a steel hypodermic needle. And the unique laws and sacred religious rites of the Zuñi people are throwing impassable roadblocks in Leaphorn’s already twisted path, enabling a craven murderer to elude justice or, worse still, to kill again.
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love this author
We’ve collected and read every one of his books in hard copy. Now we’re acquiring them again for the kindles, since aging eyes need larger print fonts. Well worth it! Great characters, interesting mysteries within a foreign culture that is literally half a state away, always a surprise at the end. Incidentally, Hillerman’s daughter is doing an …
we have all of Hillerman’s books and love them all…wonderfully descriptive of the southwest and great mysteries…very well written
law-enforcement, Hopi, Navajo, murder-investigation, historical-research, lore
I figured it was time to revisit a series that I had enjoyed some years ago, so when it was offered as audio by Chirp I Leaphorned at the chance. Bad pun, I admit it. However this is a good convoluted mystery full of misdirection, Zuni and Navajo lore, suspense, red …
Tony never fails to grip you from the first and weave a tale right out of the Navaho nation with a great mystery masterfully told and a look into the Navaho way of thinking that is a wonderfully educational treat.
I’ve read all of Tony Hillerman’s books. His knowledge of the southwest and research of native culture makes for great reading.
We are great fans of Hillerman’s work (and his daughter’s as well). The southwestern setting and Navajo culture makes a wonderfully unique and satisfying backdrop for the mysteries. You are learning something while the mystery unfolds. All of his books are intricately plotted and well-written. I think his years as a journalist led to his clear …
If you haven’t read any of these mysteries, please do yourself a favor and go to the library and find the first one and read it. You need to get to know Lieutenant Leaphorn and Jim Chee. Two well-written and likable people who solve mysteries for the Navajo Nation. Great writing – makes you want to head down to the Four Corners area and visit.
I have read most of Tony Hillernans books and I can recommend them all. Especially the series this book belongs to.
Very good read. Early Hillerman is terrific stuff.
Love Tony Hillerman as a writer. When you read one of his books, you are also learning about Native American culture.
Any Hillerman book is five star. I’ve read them all.
I’m new to the Leaphorn and Chee novels. I didn’t feel that this was predictable at all—I had no idea how the book was going to resolve until the last few chapters. I will keep reading this series for sure.
As a New Mexico resident, I enjoy following the adventures of Navajoe police.
This is an earlier work of this author—his main character is not retired yet. I really hope the depiction of the Native American customs and cultures is accurate because it is intriguing and a crucial part of the book’s appeal.
I’ve loveed all the books he has ever written. One of my favorite authors.
Not as good as some of his later books.
I would still recommend it
Leap horn at his finest enjoyable read
I thoroughly enjoy Tony Hilleman’s novels involving his characters in the Navajo Tribal Police, the descriptions of the areas of the Four Corners, but primarily of NE AZ and NW NM. This book continues in that vein. His discriptions of Navajo life are realistic, and he usually avoids foul language and gratuitous sex. After his death his …
Another good Hillerman tale.