NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERLegendary Navajo policeman Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn takes center stage in this riveting atmospheric mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman that combines crime, superstition, and tradition and brings the desert Southwest vividly alive.Joe Leaphorn may have retired from the Tribal Police, but he finds himself knee-deep in a perplexing case involving a … Police, but he finds himself knee-deep in a perplexing case involving a priceless artifact—a reminder of a dark time in Navajo history. Joe’s been hired to find a missing biil, a traditional dress that had been donated to the Navajo Nation. His investigation takes a sinister turn when the leading suspect dies under mysterious circumstances and Leaphorn himself receives anonymous warnings to beware—witchcraft is afoot.
While the veteran detective is busy working to untangle his strange case, his former colleague Jim Chee and Officer Bernie Manuelito are collecting evidence they hope will lead to a cunning criminal behind a rash of burglaries. Their case takes a complicated turn when Bernie finds a body near a popular running trail. The situation grows more complicated when the death is ruled a homicide, and the Tribal cops are thrust into a turf battle because the murder involves the FBI.
As Leaphorn, Chee, and Bernie draw closer to solving these crimes, their parallel investigations begin to merge . . . and offer an unexpected opportunity that opens a new chapter in Bernie’s life.
more
Ann Hillerman has done a great job continuing her father’s revelations of the place and people of the 4 corners area. Good mysteries, but characters are better.
Good book for those the Hillerman books. Always entertaining and informative.
So thrilled that her father’s characters live on.
Good story with view of Navaho culture. Wrapped up plot to quickly.
I always learn so much about Native American culture from reading the father/daughter Hillerman books. This book did not disappoint.
Reading now
A great, complex plot, familiar characters well portrayed, and an excellent writing style.
I always enjoy Hillerman books, the southwest setting, info about native healing practices and a good mystery.
This doesn’t quite match the talent of Tony Hillerman, although it’s a good attempt by his daughter. The two stories get a little confusing at times.
This book is written by Tony Hillerman’s daughter, and includes his characters. I like that someone is able to carry on the lives of great characters. When an author dies, I mourn the loss of his/her creations that have come to feel like people I know, more so than the author him/herself. I didn’t read all of Tony Hillerman’s works, but get lost in Anne Hillerman’s stories and eagerly snatch them up when I find them.
Great story telling.
Loved the historical references and the Navajo culture.
Really good writing. Anne is fast becoming a writer of renown as was her father. Slowly, a little at a time, she is shaping his characters to her will. Good writing and plotting. I enjoyed this as much as her father’s writing.
For fans of Tony Hillerman, daughter Anne Hillerman continues the saga of Leephorn and Chee with a more female point of view
I appreciate the continuation of characters that I started reading a very long time ago that the authors father originated. The last few books by Tony Hillerman were not holding my interest any more, at that point it was a loyalty thing. When Anne took over I purchased at full price as they released her first 3. I then realized it was still a loyalty buy. I only bought this one because it was on a very low price deal. Seeing how the characters age and progress is o.k., but the stories just don’t have the same draw anymore. The mystery of the Native American beliefs, stories, legends etc. So unless it’s a good deal I will save my $.
Good story with Chee, Bernie and Leaphorn starting off on different investigations that all end up linked together. The only thing I didn’t like that Leaphorn seemed so grouchy, especially toward Chee, and even toward Louisa. That seemed a bit of an exaggeration of his typical responses. The endings were all fairly surprising.
Love the fact she stepped in to continue the series. Her take on the characters is great, her ability to build and tell the story is wonderful.
Again we get to meet with our favorite characters.
Leaphorn is struggling with his slow health recovery and trying to find a working balance with his companion. Relationships can be tricky enough but throw in the different upbringing of the two of them and the misunderstandings becomes must harder to solve.
Chee & Manuelito have become more mature over the years and the development of their relationship has been a joy to read about.
Thrown in we always get a bit of history lesson but it fits nicely as part of the story.
If you are like me and have read every book written by Anne and her father you might find some repeat information but to me it only wants me to go back and visit the Navajo and Hopi reservations again.
On top of it you get a bit of mystery to solve. A winning package.
Anne has developed her own voice and yet has maintained her father’s characters.
Loved it! This one kept me up way to late. Impossible to put down! Anne definitely has her fathers nack for telling a fabulous story!