ISBN: 0-06-109288-6 Order from: Amazon.com
A solid, satisfying mystery evocatively framed by the stark beauty and danger of the American Southwest.
{Synopsis: Acting Lieutenant Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police has his hands full with petty crimes. And his relationship with the lawyer Janet Pete is getting precarious. So when a long-dead climber is found on the Ship Rock Mountain, it's not a top priority for Chee's criminal investigation group. However, as old memories are resurrected, and millions of dollars are at stake, what appears to be an old climbing accident causes modern-day murders and attempted murders.
Reviewed by David on August 22, 2001
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, Amerind)
Full Review: In this installment of Hillerman's popular mystery series, the legendary Leaphorn has retired, and is acting as a private consultant. Tracing three investigations, and two investigators, this mystery does a good job of tying the patterns together while keeping the human interest plot interesting but not overwhelming.
While quite competent and very satisfying in its portrayal of the Navajo culture and environment, the mystery loses some intensity due to viewhopping between Leaphorn and Chee. God plot, solid characters and excellent background, however, compensate for this problem.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 6; World-building: 6.5; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 1996, Harper, October 1997, Mass-market, 302 pages
ISBN: 0-06-109288-6 Order from: Amazon.com