White Thunder

This is the continuation of the life of Investigator Ella Clah of the Navajo Tribal Police out of the Shiprock district. It is packed with the same cultural information that characterizes the previous novels. Description of desert landscapes, tribal lifestyles, poverty, increasing lawlessness, and young adult gangs bring the action to life for the reader. However, reading the earelier novels tremendously increases the understanding of the tension related in the storyline. Excellent read, can't wait for the next installment.

Ella Clah is the best crime series going for people who like their mysteries solved by intelligence rather than with gunfire. (Not that Ella can't handle herself when the going gets tough -- she can). One of the main reasons I love Aimee and David's novels is because I am captivated by Native American cultures. The depth of the Navajo culture fills this and the other Clah books to overflowing. I'd love to see Ella get together with Tony Hillerman's Joe Leaphorn or Jim Chee. The social security fraud blends brilliantly with the Navajo culture's aversion to speaking about the dead and the disappearance of FBI agent Andrew Thomas adds spice to the story line. I recommend this and all the Thurlo's other works for anyone who loves deeply developed characters, gorgeous scenic settings and Native American culture.

The Ella Clah series is one of my favorite law enforcement series! Ella is a Special Investigator for the Navajo Police Department. While each book in the series builds on the previous ones in terms of character development, each book is also a stand alone novel. This novel begins with Navajo Police Chief Big Ed Atcitty informing Ella that a new FBI agent, Andrew Thomas, is missing after interrupting a Sing. Interrupting a Sing is a major insult as it is construed as bringing misfortune to the participants; Ella knows that many of the Dineh will not support her in her search for Thomas as a result. Ella and her cousin and partner, Justine, begin backtracking over Thomas's last few days and his investigation into fraudelent social security checks. Their investigation leads to corruption within several government offices/agencies. The Thurlos do a fabulous job of explaining Navajo beliefs to those of us who are not Navajo as well as addressing the issues of death in a very sensitive but informative way. I highly recommend all of the Ella Clah books and was definitely not disappointed with this latest installment!

I have always enjoyed all of the Thurlo's books. I love the character they have created in Ella Clay. In White Thunder she is focused on locating a federal agent the suspense and fast-moving plots the development of the investigation keep you turning each page and the action scenes keep the plot moving with some surprises adding to the exciting and surprise ending. I love the whodunits and Ella Clay series are one of the best. I love the insuing battle between good and evil and the fascinating cultural information. The Thurlos have joined Hillerman in giving us the excitement of Southwestern mysteries.

Navaho Police Special Investigator Ella Clah is still recovering emotionally after almost dying in a uranium mine. She hopes to spend more time with her daughter Dawn but when an FBI agent goes missing on the reservation, Ella and her unit gives top priority to finding him. She doesn't expect too much cooperation from the tribe because Agent Thomas interrupted a medicine man during a Sing (a healing ceremony). This is a taboo and dealt with severely but after talking to the shaman, Ella clears him of any crimes. Ella wants to talk to the man who underwent the Sing Melvin Rainwater in connection with the social security checks of dead men that were not reported deceased sent to a special post office box. A phone call from Agent Thomas confirms he is still alive and in a dark place, which Ella believes is one of the deserted mines just like she was not so long ago. She uses all the resources at her disposal to find him, even going so far as to break some laws, but somebody wants to stop her investigation or at least slow it down and they don't care if they harm Ella in the process. An Ella Clah mystery is always a special treat and WHITE THUNDER is particularly good because the authors bring to life a culture in the same way that Tony Hillerman does. The investigation is compressed into a short period because the protagonist knows that the victim is running out of time which raises the level of tension and makes the audience feels as they are involved in the search. This tale is another great mystery by the talented Thurlos. Harriet Klausner