amberdebo's review
4.0
These books make me miss living on the Dinetah. Even if you don't like mysteries, these books are worth a read just for the way the author makes you fall in love with Arizona and New Mexico. Her imagery is fantastic, and you can tell she really consults professionals about tribal and cultural specifics. A tricky thing to do these days, being a person of European descent writing about a cultural different than yours, but I think she does it well. The books are beloved on the Navajo Nation (at least amongst my friends there; I can't pretend to know every single Navajo and their opinions), so I think the author is doing everything right in that regard.
author_d_r_oestreicher's review
4.0
The Sacred Bridge by Anne Hillerman is the seventh in the series featuring Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito, except Leaphorn is on vacation in Japan, so only Chee and Manuelito. Chee is tracking down a murder up by Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam. Manuelito is undercover at an illegal marijuana farm. These books are a mixture of Navajo lore and life in the four-corners area and detective stories.
For my expanded notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-sacred-bridge-by-anne-hillerman.html
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For my expanded notes: https://1book42day.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-sacred-bridge-by-anne-hillerman.html
“As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”
Check out https://amzn.to/2SpaDMN to see my books.
Check out https://amazon.com/shop/influencer-20171115075 for book recommendations.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
The Sacred Bridge by Anne Hillerman is a suspenseful mystery. Although this latest release is the seventh installment in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series, it easily stands on its own.
After a much-needed vacation, Navajo Nation tribal police Sergeant Jim Chee stays for a few extra days while his wife Officer Bernadette “Bernie” Manuelito and her sister Darleen return to their home in Shiprock. Jim is at a bit of a crossroads as he decides whether or not he wants to remain in law enforcement. While out hiking, he spots a body floating in Lake Powell. Although he is out of his jurisdiction, Jim agrees to assist Park Ranger Ted Morris and Sheriff Bo Carter in the investigation into Curtis Walker’s death.
While her husband finds himself in the midst of an unexpected case, Bernie is on her way to work when she spots a man who appears to be in some kind of trouble. Before she can get any helpful information from him, he becomes the victim of a deliberate hit and run. Fully invested in finding out who murdered the unidentified man, Bernie becomes involved in an investigation of a local hemp farm run by Dino Begay Perez. But the case is quickly complicated by Dino’s friends and family’s concern about his whereabouts. Then there is an unexpected discovery in the hit and run victim’s belongings. Bernie goes undercover at the hemp operation in order to uncover the truth about Dino's whereabouts and the suspicious goings on the farm.
The Sacred Bridge is an intriguing mystery with fascinating story arcs. Jim, Bernie and Darleen are well-drawn, multi-layered characters who continue to grow and evolve. The various settings are interesting and spring vividly to life. As in previous novels, the Native American elements provide readers with riveting details about the Navajo culture. The storyline is engrossing and while some elements are easy to predict, this does not lessen the story’s enjoyment. As a dangerous situation heats up, Anne Hillerman brings this brilliant mystery to a breathless conclusion. Old and new fans enjoy this latest addition to the stellar Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series.
The Sacred Bridge by Anne Hillerman is a suspenseful mystery. Although this latest release is the seventh installment in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series, it easily stands on its own.
After a much-needed vacation, Navajo Nation tribal police Sergeant Jim Chee stays for a few extra days while his wife Officer Bernadette “Bernie” Manuelito and her sister Darleen return to their home in Shiprock. Jim is at a bit of a crossroads as he decides whether or not he wants to remain in law enforcement. While out hiking, he spots a body floating in Lake Powell. Although he is out of his jurisdiction, Jim agrees to assist Park Ranger Ted Morris and Sheriff Bo Carter in the investigation into Curtis Walker’s death.
While her husband finds himself in the midst of an unexpected case, Bernie is on her way to work when she spots a man who appears to be in some kind of trouble. Before she can get any helpful information from him, he becomes the victim of a deliberate hit and run. Fully invested in finding out who murdered the unidentified man, Bernie becomes involved in an investigation of a local hemp farm run by Dino Begay Perez. But the case is quickly complicated by Dino’s friends and family’s concern about his whereabouts. Then there is an unexpected discovery in the hit and run victim’s belongings. Bernie goes undercover at the hemp operation in order to uncover the truth about Dino's whereabouts and the suspicious goings on the farm.
The Sacred Bridge is an intriguing mystery with fascinating story arcs. Jim, Bernie and Darleen are well-drawn, multi-layered characters who continue to grow and evolve. The various settings are interesting and spring vividly to life. As in previous novels, the Native American elements provide readers with riveting details about the Navajo culture. The storyline is engrossing and while some elements are easy to predict, this does not lessen the story’s enjoyment. As a dangerous situation heats up, Anne Hillerman brings this brilliant mystery to a breathless conclusion. Old and new fans enjoy this latest addition to the stellar Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series.
disorderlydaydreams's review
4.0
This was a great read for me. I love Anne Hillerman's take on the series and this book had a welcome return of focus onto Manuelito. I thought the marijuana aspect was a bit dated but it still had a smooth story line and excellent action. Loved the little possible tidbits at the end about Leaphorn, too.
redroofcolleen's review
3.0
Always appreciate a further dive into the history of the Southwest, and this did not disappoint from the Dine or white American perspective. I think I need more space in between the Hillerman novels now, as they read so similarly.
cats_coffee_chaos's review
4.0
This was a great read for me. I love Anne Hillerman's take on the series and this book had a welcome return of focus onto Manuelito. I thought the marijuana aspect was a bit dated but it still had a smooth story line and excellent action. Loved the little possible tidbits at the end about Leaphorn, too.
emoryscott's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This book made me want to read more mysteries, but not by this author. I didn’t like the way that the reveal played out - it felt really rushed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Car accident, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Suicide, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, Colonisation, Confinement, Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Blood, Alcohol, and Violence
javamamanc's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cj_mo_2222's review
4.0
I have read all of the books in Tony Hillerman's mystery series featuring Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. I was so excited when his daughter Anne continued the series, but focused on Jim Chee and his wife Officer Bernadette Manuelita.
In this book, Bernie is a little over her head when she goes undercover at a hemp farm. I love Bernie, but the more interesting of the two cases in the story is the one her husband Jim Chee is working on. He is on a short vacation, but gets involved in a murder case, a sharp contrast to the beautiful Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell area at which the crime occurs. There are some scary and sad moments in this book, but the story ends on a satisfying, positive note.
In this book, Bernie is a little over her head when she goes undercover at a hemp farm. I love Bernie, but the more interesting of the two cases in the story is the one her husband Jim Chee is working on. He is on a short vacation, but gets involved in a murder case, a sharp contrast to the beautiful Antelope Canyon/Lake Powell area at which the crime occurs. There are some scary and sad moments in this book, but the story ends on a satisfying, positive note.