First published 1901
A young Native American investigator receives an urgent summons to return to his reservation. An old Hopi Indian has died under mysterious circumstances, and the community needs answers. As he begins his investigation, the protagonist discovers that this death carries far more danger than anyone anticipated. The deceased elder may have left behind a deadly legacy that threatens to unleash a catastrophic disease upon the living. What starts as a routine inquiry into suspicious death becomes a race against time to prevent a biological disaster. The investigator must navigate the complex dynamics of reservation life while uncovering the truth behind the elder's final days. The case forces him to confront both the mysteries of Hopi tradition and the very real threat of modern biological warfare. Martin Cruz Smith weaves together elements of detective fiction with Native American culture, creating a story where ancient beliefs collide with contemporary dangers.
Genres: adventure, mystery, thriller, detective, action, native-american
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-protagonist, race-against-time
Setting: Hopi Reservation
Period: Contemporary
255 pages · Paperback · Penguin Putnam~mass