Anne Hillerman’s 10th novel, “Shadow of the Solstice,” in her Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito series, begins in the summertime shortly before the annual solstice. The original series begun by her father, Tony Hillerman, has rightly become her own, especially with the expansion of Bernadette Manuelito’s role in her novels. Hillerman has also become a fixture on The New York Times Best Sellers list with her impressive ability to inform and entertain with her take on these beloved characters and the landscape of Diné Bikéyah (Navajo Nation).
The discovery of a body near an old uranium facility on the reservation begins only one of three investigations threaded through this absorbing episode of Hillerman’s newest novel. Lt. Jim Chee is taking point on who this bilagáana (white person) is and who killed him and why he was left in the restricted area. Chee has been promoted after a shakeup at headquarters. He has to assume even more duties that interfere with solving crimes. To add to the strain, it appears that U.S. Energy Secretary Savanah Cooper is planning a visit to the Navajo Nation.
If you go
WHAT: Anne Hillerman “Shadow of the Solstice” author event and book signing.
WHEN: 6-8 p.m., May 8.
WHERE: Maria’s Bookshop, 960 Main Ave.
ADMISSION: Free.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit https://tinyurl.com/yvffb58e.
Meanwhile, Bernie is recruited on her day off to go to the Yazzie compound to investigate the arrival of an activist group. Citizens United To Save The Planet plans a big event that coincides with the solstice and involves the construction of a sweat lodge. The Yazzies fear that the structure is unsafe, and they didn’t even agree for it to be built on their land. As Bernie digs deeper into the group and their plans, she becomes a dangerous impediment to their leader’s big plan.
Bernie’s younger sister, Darleen, is going to school and is working as a home health care worker. She has turned her life around and is very conscientious about her clients. Darleen becomes alarmed when one of her favorites, Mrs. Raymond, disappears along with her 17-year-old grandson, Droid. Darleen joins Droid’s father, Greg, in search of the pair. The new team follows the clues and end up in Phoenix, where they discover a scandalous scam involving a fake treatment center where Droid and Mrs. Raymond have been basically trapped. However, Droid had escaped and is nowhere to be found.
In “Shadow Of The Solstice,” Hillerman has put the spotlight on two very important issues that impact the Diné/Navajo. The first is the uranium mining that to this day still harms people. It is a two-part curse. First, is the workers, who suffer from various cancers that resulted from exposures in the mines. Also, dirt from the mines was taken to the land near homes and used without knowledge of its radioactivity. Cancers from both these sources still kills innocent people. Second is the scourge of alcoholism on the reservation, which has given rise to individuals and groups using this sad state to rip off the government by faking treatments for this vulnerable population.
Hillerman has reached a next level of prowess with the inclusion of real life issues that affect the characters in her series. Additionally, her secondary characters in “Shadow Of The Solstice” are very well drawn and appealing. Bernie’s sister, Darlene, is much more prominent in this story and adds extra interest off the reservation. At Chee and Bernie’s home, where Mama now lives, her health issues continue to challenge the family. Mama’s dementia requires constant care and vigilance. Bernie and Chee continue their growth both professionally and as a loving couple.
Hillerman’s tease at the end of the book signals new paths ahead for them. Readers will impatiently wait for the next installment.
Leslie Doran is a retired teacher and freelance writer.
