Synopses & Reviews
In 1956, an airplane crash left the remains of 172 passengers scattered among the majestic cliffs of the Grand Canyon—including an arm attached to a briefcase containing a fortune in gems. Half a century later, one of the missing diamonds has reappeared . . . and the wolves are on the scent.
Former Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn is coming out of retirement to help exonerate a slow, simple kid accused of robbing a trading post. Billy Tuve claims he received the diamond he tried to pawn from a mysterious old man in the canyon, and his story has attracted the dangerous attention of strangers to the Navajo lands—one more interested in a severed limb than in the fortune it was handcuffed to; another willing to murder to keep lost secrets hidden. But nature herself may prove the deadliest adversary, as Leaphorn and Sergeant Jim Chee follow a puzzle—and a killer—down into the dark realm of Skeleton Man.
Review
“One of his strongest and most specific plots...amusingly wry dialogue...keenly observed detail.” Santa Fe New Mexican
Review
“A grand mystery.” Denver Post
Review
“Considerable suspense in the race to the bottom of one of the most spectacular and treacherous landscapes Hillermans ever explored.” Kirkus Reviews
Review
“A fascinating whodunit and a window into a rich culture....a gem.” People
Synopsis
"In his masterly reworking of this powerful myth, Hillerman creates a kachina for contemporary times. . . . No wonder Hillerman's stories never grow old. Like myths, they keep evolving with the telling."-- New York Times Book Review
From the enduring national and literary cultural sensation (Los Angeles Times) Tony Hillerman, a crackling tale of myth, mystery, and murder featuring the legendary Leaphorn and Chee.
Though he may be retired, Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn hasn't lost his curiosity or his edge. He's eager to help Sergeant Jim Chee and his fianc e Bernie Manuelito with their latest case--clearing an innocent kid accused of robbing a trading post.
Billy Tuve claims he received the precious diamond from a strange old man in the canyon. Could it be one of the gems that went missing in an epic plane crash decades earlier? Now that it may have resurfaced, it's attracted dangerous strangers to the Navajo lands.
Proving Billy's innocence won't be easy. Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito must find the remains of a passenger who died in the crash--one of 172 lost souls whose remains were scattered across the magnificent tiered cliffs of the Grand Canyon.
But nature may prove their deadliest adversary. To find the proof they need, the detectives must battle a thunderous monsoon and a killer as they plunge deeper into the dark realm of the Hopi Lord of Death--the guardian of the underworld known as Skeleton Man.
Synopsis
Don't miss the TV series, Dark Winds, based on the Leaphorn, Chee, & Manuelito novels, now on AMC and AMC+
"In his masterly reworking of this powerful myth, Hillerman creates a kachina for contemporary times. . . . No wonder Hillerman's stories never grow old. Like myths, they keep evolving with the telling."-- New York Times Book Review
From the enduring "national and literary cultural sensation" (Los Angeles Times) Tony Hillerman, a crackling tale of myth, mystery, and murder featuring the legendary Leaphorn and Chee.
Though he may be retired, Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn hasn't lost his curiosity or his edge. He's eager to help Sergeant Jim Chee and his fianc e Bernie Manuelito with their latest case--clearing an innocent kid accused of robbing a trading post.
Billy Tuve claims he received the precious diamond from a strange old man in the canyon. Could it be one of the gems that went missing in an epic plane crash decades earlier? Now that it may have resurfaced, it's attracted dangerous strangers to the Navajo lands.
Proving Billy's innocence won't be easy. Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito must find the remains of a passenger who died in the crash--one of 172 lost souls whose remains were scattered across the magnificent tiered cliffs of the Grand Canyon.
But nature may prove their deadliest adversary. To find the proof they need, the detectives must battle a thunderous monsoon and a killer as they plunge deeper into the dark realm of the Hopi Lord of Death--the guardian of the underworld known as Skeleton Man.
About the Author
Tony Hillerman (1925-2008), an Albuquerque, New Mexico, resident since 1963, was the author of 29 books, including the popular 18-book mystery series featuring Navajo police officers Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, two non-series novels, two childrens books, and nonfiction works. He had received every major honor for mystery fiction; awards ranging from the Navajo Tribal Council's commendation to France 's esteemed Grand prix de litterature policiere. Western Writers of America honored him with the Wister Award for Lifetime achievement in 2008. He served as president of the prestigious Mystery Writers of America, and was honored with that groups Edgar Award and as one of mystery fictions Grand Masters. In 2001, his memoir, Seldom Disappointed, won both the Anthony and Agatha Awards for best nonfiction.