Lost Birds

With each new volume she writes, I appreciate Anne Hillerman more and more. She's managed the difficult challenge of maintaining continuity with the Leaphorn and Chee mysteries her father wrote, but also taking the series in new directions. In particular, she's brought female characters to the forefront and depicts them complexly. I'm not complaining about Tony Hillerman's characters. Leaphorn and Chee are remarkable characters. But I am so glad to have Bernie Manuelito, her sister Darlene, and Leaphorn's companion Louise Bourbonette. As a woman, I'm delighted to get to know these characters. Lost Birds is a page-turner with multiple plot lines, some connected, some not. As one problem seems settled, another arises—and the characters show more find ways to manage them. This one really did keep me up past my bedtime, and I have no regrets.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own. show less

Lackluster. Nothing much happening in this book of note. It reads pretty fast; stuff happens, people spend time trying to figure out what happens, and then everything comes together. But I found it to be a bit of work for minimal reward.

First you have the mains: Leaphorn, Largo, Chee and Manuelito. There are a lot of parts, and while the entire story or mystery takes place over about two days' time, there are so many players involved it comes down to about six months' worth of work squeezing them all into the narrative. Chee seems to be the only one who is remotely okay in the world. In retirement, Largo is spinning his wheels so he's got nothing interesting to add. Although about the best part of the book, the most entertaining part is show more when Largo crashed his truck into the back of Leaphorn's truck. Speaking of, Leaphorn is an absolute mess. And Leaphorn's roommate / girlfriend / partner / significant other is an absolute disaster; one of those people who would be eaten by wolves in minutes if any were around. Manuelito, well, she's the worst by far. She can't seem to get her professional life, personal life, family life, or any parts in between together; and "going off the reservation" doesn't endear her to her boss, or anyone else as far as I can determine, and it also usually lands her in trouble, but at least in this book it didn't lead to her being killed.

About the only person who came across as interesting in this book is the Red Lake Trading Post owner John Hawkman; he came across as a tolerant and affable character who was key to our story and added some good background on Navajo rugs. Additionally, I can see how a random picture taken by an unknown photographer could lead to a good sleuthing.

Anyway, I didn't find this book to be particularly deep, it was more like superficial chit-chat to pass the time. show less

Joe Leaphorn may be long retired from the Navajo Tribal Police, but his detective kills are still sharp, honed by his work as a private detedctive. These skills will be essential to solve a compelling new case: finding the birth parents of a woman who was raised by a bilingual family.

Lost Birds is a very good detective novel. The story deals with alcohol and gambling addictions, runaways, adoptions, Navajo rug weavers, and lost birds. If one wants to know what a lost bird is, one will have to read the book, as it is worthwhile to endeavor. Four stars were given to this book. Enjoy.

Lost Birds is written by Anne Hillerman.
Published in April 2024, Lost Birds continues the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito mystery series.
We are involved in several complex, overlapping and thought-provoking ‘cases’ happening simultaneously.
Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito give their ‘all’ to solve a murder investigation, an explosion, adoptees looking for their birth parents, feral dogs attacking sheep, extortion, gambling debts and personal family crises.
They work with honor, respect and cultural sensitivity.
I am always impressed with the characterizations, the plots and cultural insights these stories provide.
Another brilliant title by Anne Hillerman *****

There are several plots to this book, some of which are related. The trick for Joe Leaphorn, Bernie Manuelito, and Jim Chee is to put the pieces together. Leaphorn is tasked with helping a woman find her birth parents to determine if she is Dine. Leaphorn also has a phone call from his past that is interrupted by an explosion that turns out to have been at a Navajo school that Bernie Maneulito is assigned to look into. To add to the mix Leaphorn;s house mate Louisa's son shows up after being absent for years. This is another good addition to this great series.

The story deals with alcohol and gambling addictions, runaways, adoptions, Navajo rug weavers and aging parents. And to boot, there's a mystery or two in there. Lost Birds is a page-turner with multiple plot lines, the usual characters and a great story.