“Anintriguingplotmatchesthewell-developed,reflectiveleads.Asalways,therealstrengthofthisseriesliesinitsauthenticatmosphere,evocativedescriptionsofthelandscape,andfascinatingdetailsofNavajolife.Hillermanconsistentlysatisfies.“--PublishersWeeklyFossilharvesting,ancientlore,greed,rejectedloveandmurdercombineinthisgrippingnewinstallmentofNewYorkTimesbestsellingauthorAnneHillerman’sLeaphorn,Chee&Manuelitoseries.AnunexpecteddeathonalonelyroadoutsideofUtah’sBearsEarsNationalMonumentraisesquestionsforNavajoTribalPoliceofficersJimCheeandBernadetteManuelito.Whywouldaseasonedoutdoorsmanandwell-knownpaleontologistfreezetodeathwithinwalkingdistanceofhiscar?Aseconddeathbringsmoreturmoil.Whoistheunidentifiedmankilledduringahomeinvasionwherenothingmuchseemstohavebeentaken?Whywashemurdered?TheBearsEarsarea,attheedgeoftheNavajoNation,iscelebratedforitsabundanceofearlyhumanhabitationsitesandthediscoveryofuniquefossilswhichrevolutionizedthescientificviewofhowearlyanimalsdealtwiththeirchangingworld.CheeandManuelitoappreciatethearea’ssceneryandwealthofhumanandscientificresources,buttheirvisittothisachinglybeautifulplaceisdisruptedbyacurrentofunprecedentedviolencethatsweepsthembothintodanger.Illicitromance,afossilizedjawbone,hintsofwitchcraft,andamysteriousdisappearanceduringablizzardaddtotheperil.IttakesallofManuelito’sandChee’sexperience,skill,andintuitiontonavigatethethreatsthatariseandseejusticeserved.
