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caylaelon's review against another edition
Not enough character development or storyline for me.
katel1970's review against another edition
3.0
Solid. I wish the main characters were on the same case more.
mg_in_md_'s review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy picking up this series and have liked watching it evolve, especially with the introduction of Bernie Manuelito as a primary character on equal footing with Chee and Leaphorn. This installment finds Bernie visiting a camp for troubled young women; instead of giving the speech she was expecting to give, she is pulled into a missing person's case and finds herself accused of colluding with the camp's director by a local politician. Meanwhile, her husband, Jim Chee, is attending a seminar in Santa Fe, near an art school that Bernie's sister is considering attending. Chee is also working on a missing person's case and dealing with some drama involving Bernie's sister. The two storylines were equally engaging, as were the scenes in which Joe Leaphorn appeared. I liked the pacing and how the stories were resolved. While the books in this series can be read as standalone novels, I have liked watching the characters evolve over the course of the series and think that has given me an even deeper appreciation for it. I look forward to picking up the next book in the series soon!
I selected this as my pick for the 2020 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge prompt "read a mystery where the victim(s) is not a woman," and the 2020 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge prompt "a book that passes the Bechdel test."
I selected this as my pick for the 2020 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge prompt "read a mystery where the victim(s) is not a woman," and the 2020 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge prompt "a book that passes the Bechdel test."
showell's review against another edition
4.0
I always feel a little guilty when I read one of these, because Hillerman is a white woman writing about members of the Navajo Nation, but I didn’t realize that until after I had already become invested in her characters. On the other hand, this series is the reason I’ve begun seeking out books by actual Native American writers like Laura Tohe & Louise Erdich.
shirlee2024's review against another edition
4.0
Glad to discover that Tony Hillerman's daughter has continued the series. I'll be looking to fill in the stories I've missed.
eagriffi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
books4biana's review against another edition
I listened via audiobook.
I'm sure this is a case of the right person makes a difference. I did not like the narration. I felt the characters lacked a lot of luster. Often times I didn't know who we transitioned to. Some characters were young but ended up sounding like whiny brats. Guys were a deeper voice, but devoid of any emotion.
Additionally, the mystery wasn't all that mysterious. I selected this book because I read the Hillerman books before Anne. And I like the representation.
I'm sure this is a case of the right person makes a difference. I did not like the narration. I felt the characters lacked a lot of luster. Often times I didn't know who we transitioned to. Some characters were young but ended up sounding like whiny brats. Guys were a deeper voice, but devoid of any emotion.
Additionally, the mystery wasn't all that mysterious. I selected this book because I read the Hillerman books before Anne. And I like the representation.
catrink's review against another edition
4.0
Anne Hillerman has come into her own after taking on this series of mysteries set in the modern-day Navajo country. It could not have been easy to even consider stepping into her father's shoes, and I am glad that she decided to write her books from the perspective of a female officer who just happens to be married to Jim Chee. Good mysteries, her character development has come along nicely, and along the way we get to learn more of Navajo culture from the female perspective.
I was hesitant to initially pick up her books - how often does it work out for someone else to take on the mantle of a series like this? In this case, it works well, even her earlier mysteries that could be considered less polished.
I was hesitant to initially pick up her books - how often does it work out for someone else to take on the mantle of a series like this? In this case, it works well, even her earlier mysteries that could be considered less polished.
liberrydude's review against another edition
3.0
Officer Manuelito spends most of the book running back and forth between Grants and Shiprock. Lots of windshield time. She’s sent to the Malpais to give some at risk youth a speech but ends up getting involved in a lost hiker search. Not any hiker either but an experienced guide who is about to take over the non-profit amid allegations of financial improprieties. Her husband, Sgt Chee, is in Santa Fe attending a week of law enforcement training while also checking on Darlene, Manuelito’s party girl sister who is enrolled in an art school seminar. Those are the two parallel plot lines that involve family, fraud, politics, greed, corruption, and theft. It’s NM True and the Wild West is alive and well. Hillerman might be gone but his daughter has the gene. She has successfully captured the spirit of the series and imbued it with a strong female protagonist. So much to love about this series’ characters and place.
eli22's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Loved the mystery and how Bern and Jim were both dealing with missing persons cases that ended up connected! Loved Jim’s dynamic with Bern’s family, and especially loved how much Bern & Jim missed each other and how much they love each other, very sweet!