Seven books ago, Tony Hillerman's daughter, Anne, took over his Leaphorn & Chee series after his death. She knew she needed a different take on the series since, of course, she was not Tony. She chose to elevate a formerly minor character, Bernadette (Bernie) Manuelito, to center stage, bringing a more female perspective to a series that had been decidedly male-focused. Those who have been following the series have seen Bernie grow in confidence and skill and her relationships with Leaphorn and Chee mature.

THE SACRED BRIDGE has Bernie and Chee involved in two different investigations while both of them contemplate making some professional and personal changes in their lives. Chee is at Lake Powell searching for lost caves replete with petroglyphs when he finds himself in the middle of a murder investigation. Bernie, who is determined to become a detective, goes undercover to find out what is happening at a secretive marijuana growing facility on Native lands. The chapters move between one investigation and the other, as Bernie's undercover work makes it impossible for her and Chee to communicate. As would be most likely in life if not in mystery novels, the two investigations are unrelated and provide two very different looks at Navajo life. At the end of the book, there is a hint about a possible future direction for Bernie and Chee. As always, Anne Hillerman continues her father's legacy of evocative writing about Navajo life and traditions. She transports us to the arid landscape as she underlies her plot with the importance of water and the impact of its shortage on tribal lands. Her characters are complex, rarely becoming good or evil caricatures although, in this book, there is very little positive about the secondary character of the man running the marijuana facility. There is a contemplative feel to this book, as both Bernie and Chee reflect upon their roles in their community and in their relationship.

This was a great read with plenty of action to keep the reader's interest at the same time one that dealt with difficult social and physical issues affecting the Navajo Nation and beyond. I will be very interested to see what Anne Hillerman does in her next book with the possibility raised in the last sentence of this one.

Books that feature a culture of which I know little have always appealed to me. The Sacred Bridge is a good example of one that succeeds. Continuing the series that her father Tony wrote for so many years, Anne Hillerman does a creditable job of offering readers a dive into Navajo culture while continuing to develop the characters of her father's legacy. The Sacred Bridge offers two mysteries that are connected only tenuously. Each is treated well, even if the mystery of Chee's case is not so mysterious. Hillerman kept me on the edge of my seat as Chee's wife Bernie, also a police officer, raced to extricate herself and her mother and sister from life-threatening situations. All-in-all, The Sacred Bridge is a most satisfying entry in this long-standing series.

The Sacred Bridge
by Anne Hillerman
Pub Date: April 12, 2022
Harper
Thanks to the author, Harper, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
An ancient mystery resurfaces with ramifications for the present day in this gripping chapter in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series from New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman.
Anne's books just keep getting better and better. Tony would be proud. I enjoyed the positive ending to this book, and the important insight it gives us into the role of family and kinship in Navajo culture. I definitely recommend this new book, " The Sacred Bridge " as an enjoyable addition to the Hillerman saga of Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito.
4 stars

Another good Chee and Manuelito story that keeps to Hillerman's father's standards. Enjoyable read that teaches you about aspects of Navajo history.

Jim Chee investigates a potential murder in Glen Canyon while his wife goes undercover at a hemp farm on Navajo land.

Author Anne Hillerman' keeps her late father's series celebrating Navajo heritage alive to the delight of old readers and the invitation of young ones.

Chee and Bernadette Manuelito confront contemporary crimes while respecting the ancient teachings of their ancestors.

Hillerman's descriptions of the rainbow-hued landscape thrust the reader into the story.

I'm impressed - this is the first Anne Hillerman novel I've read and won't be the last. The plotting and pace were on-point, and the characters and setting came to life. The book is deeply layered with concurrent mysteries and rich detail about the history & culture of the Navajo. I enjoyed how that was intertwined throughout & linked everything together. A great & very worthwhile read. I look forward to more by this author.

Thanks #HarperCollins #NetGalley for making an e-arc available in exchange for an honest review


Anne Hillerman's books get better and better. I remain a skeptical of the continuations of existing series by other authors, after an authors death, though the have become common in mystery and science fiction and yes, I read them. However, Anne Hillerman took an unusual tactic in telling the stories from the point of view of another character, which both made the series her own and gave us a different insight into the characters. I think she's gotten better with each book.

It's interesting to see the publication of books written during COVID, and if or how they deal with the pandemic. It's not the focus of the book, but we learn the Navajo (Dine) word for it, and it is a part of the characters' everyday lives.

In this story, we have two different mysteries, as Jim Chee, on a solitary retreat finds a dead body, while, back in Shiprock, Bernie Manuelito takes on a dangerous undercover investigation.

I enjoyed both the mysteries and the developments in the lives of all the major characters. Highly recommended -- you might want to preorder it now.

First of all I hope this manuscript will be proof read before publication as there are many little errors that take away my enjoyment in reading another Anne Hillerman novel. I enjoyed the location of this one and the current real problems this area is having and I look forward to seeing where Bernie and Chee are going in their respective lives.

I love Anne Hillerman's continuation of the series. She captures her father's characters perfectly. Having Bernie go undercover was a bit nerve-wracking but in a good way. I did miss Legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn.