The Dark Wind (Leaphorn & Chee # 5) [MM0012]

1990 MMPB in nice clean condition. The fifth novel in Tony Hillerman's iconic Leaphorn and Chee mystery series. The corpse had been "scalped," its palms and soles removed after death. Sergeant Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police knows immediately he will have his hands full with this case, a certainty that is supported by the disturbing occurrences to follow. A mysterious nighttime plane crash, a vanishing shipment of cocaine, and a bizarre attack on a windmill only intensify Chee's fears. A dark and very ill wind is blowing through the Southwestern desert, a gale driven by Navajo sorcery and white man's greed. And it will sweep away everything unless Chee can somehow change the weather.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Very much enjoyed this book. One can learn some things about the different tribes of the native Americans and aspects particular to each tribe. It was an easy read and fun story."; "This was my first Hillerman book - I can't believe it took me so long! I love the way he paints the landscape so clearly that you can feel the heat, the dryness, and smell the rain and the desert plants. I live in New Mexico, so I'm familiar with all of the above, but to feel it while enjoying a good story made it real. I also liked how Hillerman is very clear about describing the differences in features and customs of the Navaho and the Hopi AND shows the white man's lack of bothering to see & learn about them. There are several mysteries and it was fun to watch how Chee unraveled each to find the connection between them all. The worst bad guy was easy to spot, and I figured out the less bad guy earlier, but it didn't spoil watching Chee put it together. I'll read more Hillerman!"; "Good crime fiction set in the West. 'Nuf said, I reckon."