Lost Birds - Anne Hillerman

Written by Anne Hillerman
Read by Jessica Matten
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Series: Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito : Book 9
Publisher: HarperAudio
Release date: April 23, 2024
Duration: 09:48:43

Joe Leaphorn may be long retired from the Navajo Tribal Police, but his detective skills are still sharp, honed by his work as a private detective. His experience will be essential to solve a compelling new case: finding the birth parents of a woman who was raised by a bilagáana family but believes she is Diné based on one solid clue, an old photograph with a classic Navajo child’s blanket. Leaphorn discovers that his client’s adoption was questionable, and her adoptive family not what they seem. His quest for answers takes him to an old trading post and leads him to a deadly cache of long-buried family secrets.

As that case grows more complicated, Leaphorn receives an unexpected call from a person he met decades earlier. Cecil Bowleg’s desperation is clear in his voice, but just as he begins to explain, an explosion cuts off the call and Cecil disappears. True to his nature, Leaphorn is determined to find the truth even as the situation grows dangerous. Investigation of the explosion falls in part to Officer Bernadette Manuelito, who discovers an unexpected link to Cecil’s missing wife.

Bernie also is involved in a troubling investigation of her own: an elderly weaver whose prize-winning sheep have been ruthlessly killed by feral dogs.

Exploring the emotionally complex issues of adoption of Indigenous children by non-native parents, Anne Hillerman delivers another thought-provoking, gripping mystery that brings to life the vivid terrain of the American Southwest, its people, and the lore and traditions that make it distinct.

“Jessica Matten, a Canadian actor of Red River Mtis and Cree heritage, deftly narrates the ninth installment in this series, drawing from her role as Officer Bernadette Manuelito in the DARK WINDS streaming series. Matten skillfully conveys the full range of emotions of the characters, young and old, illuminating the complex dynamics of family relationships. Former tribal policeman Joe Leaphorn, now a P.I., takes on two challenging cases: Finding the missing wife of a young man from his past and searching for the birth parents of a “lost bird,” a Native American adopted by white parents. Matten subtly differentiates characters and keeps listeners engaged by heightening the tension of the action scenes. Her performance underscores the cultural insights of the narrative, ensuring an immersive and memorable listening experience.”—AudioFile 2024,