Shadow of the Solstice

Book 10 in the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito series brings readers multiple mysteries to solve. In Shadow of the Solstice, Anne Hillerman continues the series created by her father Tony Hillerman featuring Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. However, she has added a third main character, Bernadette (Bernie) Manuelito.

The Navajo Nation police are on high alert when a U.S. Cabinet Secretary indicates they may come to Shiprock, New Mexico in the next few days. This visit coincides with a controversial plan to resume uranium mining along the Navajo Nation border. With planning for the executive’s trip, a body is found in an area restricted for the disposal of radioactive uranium waste. A group also suddenly shows up at a private campground nearby that claims to be a peaceful meditation group aimed at saving the planet. On top of this, vulnerable indigenous people with addictions are disappearing. Can one small police force solve the various mysteries?

The characterization is well-done in this crime novel and mystery. Bernie works hard and is a police officer assigned to the Shiprock station. She’s concerned about her mother’s declining memory and health and tends to turn worry into action. However, she seldom welcomes unrequested advice. Bernie and Chee are married. He’s a lieutenant at the Shiprock police station and misses field work as his job now requires a lot of administrative tasks. He’s well-respected by his colleagues and embraces the old spiritual practices. While Joe is now retired from the Navajo Tribal Police, he is referenced a few times during the novel and makes a cameo appearance near the end. Bernie’s sister Darleen plays a major role in one of the subplots in this novel. Readers gain knowledge of both her personal and professional aspects of her life.

The novel has several subplots and shifts points of view several times, but the flow seemed to work relatively well. There are several twists and a couple of surprises. Additionally, the world-building is excellent. While I should have expected it, it still amazed me that the closest police backup could be one or more hours away. As usual, there are several topics woven throughout the novel that give readers an appreciation of Navajo life and culture. Some are wonderful and others aren’t. Elder care, family, education, poverty, addiction, corruption, and much more are topics of interest.

Overall, this is a suspenseful, heart-wrenching, and compelling novel that immediately grabs readers’ attention and keeps up the intensity throughout the novel with great characterization and fantastic atmosphere and world-building. The author’s note about her inspiration for the book provides valuable information. If you enjoy crime novels and mysteries, then look no further than this series. I’m looking forward to reading book eleven.

Harper along with Anne Hillerman provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for April 22, 2025.