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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
4 stars. Anne Hillerman (like her father) never disappoints. In this excellent story, Chee and Bernie take off for Utah and the Bears Ears National Park. Anticipating some downtime and a short errand for their boss, they instead encounter murder and paleontologists. Set in one of the most beautiful and sacred places on Earth, Hillerman weaves her story between descriptions of the "Valley of the Gods" so vivid and enticing I was ready to pack a bag and head west. The plot is tight and moves quickly as both dangerous people and a threatening blizzard ratchet up the tension. You 'otter' be reading this! If you are new to the series, jump in anywhere. They are a continuing series but very readable in any order. I was given a copy but would happily plunk down coin of the realm to read anything Anne Hillerman writes.
Another great entry in the Chee and Manulito journey - as always, check out the audio versions of the story. The series is getting more and more rich in detail and we have a lot more character development happening.
Trigger Warning
Trigger Warning
Spoiler
CD/MC
Another excellent Chee and Bernie mystery. Most of the action occurs in one of my favorite places in this country: Valley of the Gods, a special part of Bear's Ears NM. I must admit that I am disgruntled about this "publicity" of that place, as part of its attaction has always been the absence of people, where one can actually hear the "sounds of silence." At the same time, I'm glad Ms Hillerman continues to emphasize the spirituality of the place and its meaning to so many Navajos (and others). The people who try to see who can make the trip from one entrance to the other (and vice versa) the fastest have no business being there in their off-road vehicles and motor-cycles. I wish the BLM could fine them for their lack of respect for the land and the formations. My husband and I were camping there when we watched a car deliberately drive off the road and across unblemished land just for the hell of it. It was dark so we unfortunately couldn't get an ID or license number.
I am a forever fan of this series. I can’t wait for the next one.
Mostly, a well-written mystery with wonderfully likeable characters and colorful tribal lore. Some readers may object to the political references with respect to Bears Ears National Monument established by President Barack Obama by presidential proclamation, reduced by 85% by President Donald Trump, then restored in full by President Joe Biden. Others may object to Generally, though, only thin-skinned readers will be offended.
Spoiler
a gay relationship revealed late in the novel. Still others may object to the gay couple being bad guys.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to Net Galley and Harper Collins for letting me read an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The book is scheduled for publication April 25 2023.
Bernadette Manuelito is told by a traditional healer to hike in the Valley of the Gods within the Bear Ears National Monument. Bernie is enjoying the amazing rock formations and stays to watch the sunset. As she walks back to her truck, someone first tries to run her down and then takes a shot at her.
This is how Bernie and her husband, newly promoted Lt. Jim Chee, take a weekend vacation.
They each come at the puzzle from different directions, but the pieces don't make a clear picture.
This is a page turner rife with untrustworthy characters and a complex and overlapping set of shadowy circumstances and confusing interrelationships.
Will Bernie and Chee figure out what's going on before there are more killings?
Bernadette Manuelito is told by a traditional healer to hike in the Valley of the Gods within the Bear Ears National Monument. Bernie is enjoying the amazing rock formations and stays to watch the sunset. As she walks back to her truck, someone first tries to run her down and then takes a shot at her.
This is how Bernie and her husband, newly promoted Lt. Jim Chee, take a weekend vacation.
They each come at the puzzle from different directions, but the pieces don't make a clear picture.
This is a page turner rife with untrustworthy characters and a complex and overlapping set of shadowy circumstances and confusing interrelationships.
Will Bernie and Chee figure out what's going on before there are more killings?
I have read every book in this series, own most of them. This one is my favorite ❤️
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No