Part of Leaphorn & Chee, book 15
First published 2003
Sergeant Jim Chee and Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn face a puzzling case when old crimes resurface in the New Mexico desert. A long-forgotten investigation into missing persons connects to present-day violence on the Navajo reservation. Chee must navigate between traditional Navajo beliefs and modern police work as he uncovers connections spanning decades. The case forces both officers to confront how the past refuses to stay buried in their community. Leaphorn brings his analytical mind to bear on evidence that seems to make no sense, while Chee struggles with the cultural implications of their discoveries. As they dig deeper, the investigation reveals how trauma echoes across generations in Navajo country.
Genres: fiction, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cultural-conflict, police-investigation
Setting: New Mexico, Navajo Reservation
Period: Present Day
334 pages · HarperTorch