Anne Hillerman: The way of the bear, Harper Collins, ebook available

I have been a lifelong fan of Tony Hillerman's thrillers set in New Mexico featuring Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn.

 His daughter Anne has continued the series after her father's passing, concentrating on detectives Chee and Manuelito who used to work with now retired Joe Leaphorn. In comparison to Tony Hillerman's work, I find her novels okay but lightweight. They make for easy reading, an armchair trip to New Mexico and never have my nerves on edge. Same goes for The way of the Bear. 

 However, the Netflix series Dark Winds is ace and really well done, all based on Tony's original writing but continued with a twist. 

 

Laurie Dove: Mask of the Deer Woman, Berkley/ Penguin Usa, read the ebook

Carrie Starr is an ex Chicago detective with an alcohol problem, a Native American heritage, and recently appointed as the new tribal marshall on the reservation where her father was raised.

 I immediately felt a connection with the narration and a protagonist who has a tragedy to overcome constantly ruffling feather with just about everyone.  Picking up on the real life facts of a rising number of native American women disappearing with very little resolve by the police to investigate the cases, the author created in Starr a complex character who makes it her mission to find a newly missing woman, Chenoa Cloud.

Dove does a fine job of weaving Native American mythology and current issues in tribal communities into an intriguing, unique thriller. I learned a sequel " Cry of the Rain crow" is scheduled for publication  later in the year, reaĺly looking forward to read more of what Carrie Starr is up to next.