The Tale Teller

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Retired Navajo Lt. Joe Leapborn is hired by a Navajo Museum director to find some missing artifacts. In The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman, Joe, still recovering from a head wound and struggling with the English language, sets out to discover what has happened to the priceless biil or woven dress worn by the legendary Juanita during the dark time for Navajos.

The museum director wants the case solved before she retires in two weeks. Tiffany had been the staffer assigned to inventory the anonymous donation when she became ill. Joe and Mrs. Pinto, the museum director,think she is a suspect in the missing inventory. But when she dies mysteriously, the case takes on a new urgency.

Louisa suggest they might be able to track the jewelry maker from a bracelet she has that is similar to the one stolen. They head for the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site to speak with the trader.

In his trademark detail-oriented way, Joe slowly pieces together where the anonymous donation came from and who sent it to the museum.

Meanwhile Bernie discovers a body on the running trail, and she finds herself interacting with the new FBI agent Sage Johnson. Johnson is reluctant to give Bernie any information about the victim. Bernie tries to ignore the case and sets out to work on a series of burglaries at the home of seniors.

In a parallel story Jim Chee is following up on stolen items at a flea market. Before long, all three cases intertwine and together they work to find the answers.

Another enjoyable mystery featuring Tony Hillerman's beloved characters brought to life again by his daughter Anne.













Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher.