Lost Birds by Anne Hillerman is a continuation of the series originated by her father Tony Hillerman, set in Navajo Country and featuring the Navajo Nation Police. As with the other books, southwestern geography and the Navajo culture are featured. In this book, (a) Stella Brown, adopted by a white family, is looking for her Navajo roots, (2) an explosion at the Eagle Roost School ties into a murder, loan sharks, and a missing person, and (3) Kory has his mental health challenges exacerbated by a terminal cancer diagnosis. An excellent addition to this series.
The mystery of Stella Brown’s ancestry hinges on a single photo and a Navajo blanket with a storm pattern. Retired Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, with his understanding of Navajo geography and culture, follows these clues to solve the convoluted mystery to a satisfying resolution.
The explosion at Eagle Roost School is a mystery worthy of Agatha Christy, with multiple suspects and motives. The mystery includes the gambling debts of the school janitor Cecil Bowlegs, Bethany Bowlegs, his missing wife and school music teacher/accountant, Big Rex, the band leader of the Hop Toads where Bethany is the lead singer, and Principal Morgan with a shady past.
The most excitement is generated by the unstable Kory who is off his meds, struggling with his relationship with his mother Louisa Bourbonette, and adjusting to his wife, Erlinda’s pregnancy. Leaphorn needs all his experience and knowledge to prevent Kory from doing something that all will regret.
This is not a mystery simply dropped into Navajo Country. Navajo issues like drinking and The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 are important to the plot. The size of the Navajo Nation (25,000 square miles, predominantly in Arizona and New Mexico) is also integral.
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