Anne Hillerman continues her father Tony Hillerman's acclaimed mystery series, weaving compelling narratives that delve into the rich landscapes and cultural nuances of the American Southwest. Her writing is celebrated for its atmospheric depth and keen characterizations, drawing readers into intricate plots. She masterfully blends suspense with explorations of human nature, maintaining the legacy of her father's beloved characters. Hillerman's work offers a distinctive voice that resonates with readers seeking immersive and thoughtfully crafted mysteries.
Renowned for her skill in crafting compelling mysteries, the author has garnered acclaim for her storytelling prowess. Her work captivates readers with intricate plots and well-developed characters, set against richly detailed backdrops. Hillerman's narratives often explore themes of culture and identity, making her contributions significant within the genre. Readers can expect engaging twists and a deep connection to the settings and characters that bring her stories to life.
From New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman, a thrilling and moving chapter in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series involving several emotionally complex cases that will test the detectives in different ways.
The story intertwines fossil hunting, ancient traditions, and murder as Navajo Tribal Police officers Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito investigate a puzzling death near Utah's Bears Ears National Monument. The suspicious demise of a paleontologist and a subsequent home invasion death raise urgent questions. Amidst the area's rich history and unique fossils, Chee and Manuelito confront unexpected violence, illicit romance, and witchcraft, requiring all their skills to unravel the mystery and ensure justice prevails.
"A fine legacy series . . . in the spirit of her late father, Tony."--Booklist An ancient mystery resurfaces with ramifications for the present day in this gripping chapter in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series from New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman. Sergeant Jim Chee's vacation to beautiful Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell has a deeper purpose. He's on a quest to unravel a sacred mystery his mentor, the Legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, stumbled across decades earlier. Chee's journey takes a deadly turn when, after a prayerful visit to the sacred Rainbow Bridge, he spots a body floating in the lake. The dead man, a Navajo with a passion for the canyon's ancient rock art, lived a life filled with many secrets. Discovering why he died and who was responsible involves Chee in an investigation that puts his own life at risk. Back in Shiprock, Officer Bernadette Manuelito is driving home when she witnesses an expensive sedan purposely kill a hitchhiker. The search to find the killer leads her to uncover a dangerous chain of interconnected revelations involving a Navajo Nation cannabis enterprise. But the evil that is unleashed jeopardizes her mother and sister Darleen, and puts Bernie in the deadliest situation of her law enforcement career.
"What begins as a typical day for Officer Bernadette Manuelito--serving a bench warrant, dealing with a herd of cattle obstructing traffic, and stumbling across a crime scene--takes an unexpected twist when she's called to help find an old friend. Years ago, Bernie and Maya were roommates, but time and Maya's struggles with addiction drove them apart. Now Maya's brother asks Bernie to find out what happened to his sister. Tracing Maya's whereabouts, Bernie learns that her old friend had confessed to the murder of her estranged husband, a prominent astronomer. But the details don't align. Suspicious, Bernie takes a closer look at the case only to find that nothing is as it seems. Uncovering new information about the astronomer's work leads Bernie to a remote spot on the Navajo Nation--and a calculating killer. The investigation causes an unexpected rift with her husband and new acting boss, Jim Chee, who's sure Bernie's headed for trouble. While she's caught between present and past, Chee is at a crossroads of his own. Burdened with new responsibilities he didn't ask for and doesn't want, he must decide what the future holds for him and act accordingly. Can their mentor Joe Leaphorn, a man also looking at the past for answers to the future, provide the guidance both Bernie and Chee need? And will the Navajo heroes that stud the starry sky help them find justice and the truth they seek?"--Provided by publisher
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Legendary 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 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.
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 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...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..
Navajo Tribal cops Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito, along with their mentor, the legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, investigate two perplexing cases in this exciting mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Spider Woman's Daughter. Doing a good deed for a relative offers the perfect opportunity for Sergeant Jim Chee and his wife, Officer Bernie Manuelito, to get away from the daily grind of police work. But two cases—one near Shiprock, the other at iconic Monument Valley—will call them back from their short vacation and separate them. Chee follows a series of seemingly random and cryptic clues that lead to a missing woman, a cold-blooded thug, and a mysterious mound of dirt and rocks that could be a gravesite. Bernie has her hands full managing the fallout from a drug bust gone wrong, uncovering the origins of a fire in the middle of nowhere, and looking into an ambitious solar energy development with long-term consequences for Navajo land. Under the guidance of retired lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, Bernie and Chee will navigate unexpected obstacles and confront the greatest challenge yet to their skills, commitment, and courage.
