The Sacred Bridge: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Mystery

In Hillerman’s captivating seventh Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito mystery (after 2021’s Stargazer), Sgt. Jim Chee of the Navajo Nation police, who’s reevaluating his career, takes time off from his job in Shiprock, N.Mex., and heads for Lake Powell to contemplate his future. He brings with him a map provided by his mentor, Lt. Joe Leaphorn, showing the location of what Leaphorn believes to be a sacred cave containing a trove of ancient sand paintings. On his hike, Chee discovers the body of a young man floating face down in the icy waters of the lake. A severe head injury indicates that the victim, a Navajo, was murdered. The local police ask Chee to join their investigation. Meanwhile, Bernadette Manuelito, Chee’s police officer wife, witnesses an intentional hit-and-run, a crime that leads her to take on a dangerous undercover mission. Never mind that the murder investigation is a bit slow to start and the bad guys are pretty obvious. As usual, what matters are the Native American lore, dramatic descriptions of the western terrain, and the evolution in the personal lives of Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito. Series fans will be well satisfied. Agent: Liz Trupin-Pulli, JET Literary Assoc. (Apr.)