Part of Leaphorn & Chee, book 2
First published 1990
Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police stares at the bloodstained ground in New Mexico. Two Native American boys have disappeared without a trace. The blood belongs to one of them, a young Zuñi. Leaphorn fears the worst has happened. His investigation grows more complex when he discovers an archaeological dig nearby and finds a steel hypodermic needle at the scene. The sacred religious practices and tribal laws of the Zuñi people create barriers that block his progress at every turn. These obstacles give the killer more time to escape or strike again. Leaphorn must navigate between two worlds, respecting ancient traditions while pursuing modern justice. The case tests his skills as both a detective and a man who understands the delicate balance between Native cultures and contemporary law enforcement.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, native-american
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-clash, fish-out-of-water
Setting: New Mexico, Zuñi
Period: 20th-century
255 pages · Mass Market Paperback · HarperPaperbacks