David Thurlo

I wanted to like this so, so bad, but it falls short in a couple key areas. First, it tries really hard to be authentic, but it makes a couple key mistakes that a real Dine person would never make. Second, it emphasizes points occasionally that it then does inconsistently. For instance, one chapter emphasizes how traditional members of the Dine avoid using people's names and have a predilection for nicknames. This is correct. But then the book doesn't actually do this except for one show more character. It's like the authors came up with one good nickname and didn't bother trying to avoid names for the rest of the characters. Inauthentic and inconsistent. show less

I keep wanting to like these Ella Clah mysteries more than I do, but I find them to be ho-hum and overly simple. And it mainly has to do with Ella's eternal failings. She royally sucks at her job because she lacks instincts, foresight, and intuition so is forever being caught off guard; she spends all her time chasing her own tail so she cannot foresee even the most basic problems, and in the real world couldn't anticipate and react in time to save her own life. Despite all the evidence show more stacking up to where there is zero doubt, she cannot anticipate any problems until they spin way beyond anyone's control.

This book ends on a positive note because the corollary story is about Ella's pregnancy, but even most of that is fairly ridiculous if you stop to think about it. show less

"Blackening Song," first in the series by Aimee & David Thurlo, is set on the Rez during a conflict between those committed to Navajo Tradition vs those who believe it is time the leave the culture, language and religious practices behind.

The story provides an interesting window into a world closed to outsiders, including those in the FBI who are responsible for capital crimes on Reservations. Context is everything and the story functions on multiple layers without becoming confusing.

New Mexico state cop Lee Nez is the most qualified enforcement officer in the state to hunt down rogue vampire Steward Tanner. That's because Lee Nez is a half vampire himself. Along with FBI Special Agent Diane Lopez, Nez pursues Tanner, who's been tortured and experimented on by the government to the point of madness. Lee knows if his identity ever comes to light it could be him next in the clutches of the government. Will Nez catch Tanner before his secret comes out?

Fast plot and lots of show more action, but light on characterization and back story. This is the third book of the series and I hadn't read the first ones so I felt like I missed out on a lot of the background of Nez and what made his relationship with Lopez more than just working partners. I can't help it, I like character-driven books more so this was a little bit lacking for me, athough I thought the character of Nez was interesting. He just needs more fleshing out. show less