The Thumbnail Book Reviews
by John Q McDonald --- 20 February 1998
by Tony Hillerman
This mystery is set in the arid desert world of the Navajo and Pueblo native communities in Arizona and the Four Corners area, and therein lies its greatest asset. The story surrounds two murders, Native American politics, the environment, and history, wrapped in a warning against the sale of native heritage. Hillerman revives characters Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee to tackle cases that seem so unrelated. Leaphorn tries to maintain his professionalism, while Chee seeks a balance between police work and his cultural values. The Navajo and Pueblo cultural histories enrich an otherwise middle-of-the-road mystery, making the book educational and entertaining.
Also by Hillerman: [The Blessing Way] [The Fallen Man]