As good as usual: Lives up to all hillerman's books

Things I really liked about this installment. First Leaphorn's personal life really comes to the forefront and there is an exploration of his coming to terms with the new realities of his life. Well done. Also, the relationship between Chee and Leaphorn begins to mature. They work together more as a team in this novel, with greater real regard for each other. Though the mystery is good, the character development really makes this novel shine in the series. ( )

Joe Leaphorn and JIm Chee, two of my favorite detectives ( )

I wanted to like this book but it was a struggle to even finish it. An interesting storyline, not helped by an unlikeable leading character. I also found the writing a little on the dry side for my tastes. Disappointing ( )

Hillerman's mystery is set on and near a large Navajo reservation near the four corners area. An anthropologist goes missing, and native American policemen Joe Leaphorn
and Jim Chee become involved from different angles. The case involves "pot hunters," who sift ruins illegally for pottery
or other objects that collectors will buy. The missing anthropologist might have been meeting a pot hunter or digging illegally herself.

The veteran Leaphorn has submitted his resignation from the force as he nears the end of his bereavement leave after the death of his wife, but something about the case draws his interest. Chee, a younger man, is dealing with issues about being a Navajo or a modern American and the implications of this choice for relationships. The two men have a somewhat uneasy but respectful relationship.

The novel gives us a view of the anthropological world and the remote history of the area, as well as a look at the Navajo way of thinking about a problem. One feature that I liked a lot was the fact that when Leaphorn (or Chee) can't think of something to say, he remains quiet, rather than babbling as so many of us do. We don't get any sort of detailed view of the life on the reservation, but we get some hints.

The whodunnit aspect was ok, not great. I had guessed the
perpetrator fairly early, but there were a couple of nice unexpected twists. Hillerman's style is unexceptional but
unobtrusive and does not detract from the story. Overall a
good but not great read. ( )