Part of Leaphorn & Chee, book 8
First published 1990
Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee face their most complex case yet when a renowned anthropologist disappears from an ancient Indian ruin. The scientist was on the brink of a discovery that could rewrite history when she vanished without a trace. At the sacred site, thieves have been looting artifacts and desecrating graves for profit. The Navajo Tribal Police officers find two bodies among the stolen relics and disturbed bones. Both victims died from bullets that match the missing researcher's weapon. The evidence points to the vanished anthropologist as the killer, but Leaphorn and Chee suspect something deeper lurks beneath the surface. Their investigation forces them to navigate between ancient Navajo traditions and modern crimes. As they dig through layers of deception, the officers must confront uncomfortable truths about greed, cultural exploitation, and murder. The case tests not only their detective skills but also their understanding of justice and mercy.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, native-american
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-clash, police-investigation
Setting: Navajo Tribal Police, Ancient Indian Ruin
Period: Contemporary
324 pages · Mass Market Paperback · HarperTorch