★★★★☆ Lotsa plot, less mystery

The Way of the Bear

Anne Hillerman

The Way of the Bear is the 26th novel in the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito mystery series by Tony and Anne Hillerman, and the eighth since daughter Anne's 2013 reboot of her father's series with Spider Woman's Daughter. (The "About the Author" bio at the book's end claims "This is her eighth novel featuring Bernadette Manuelito and the twenty-fifth in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series begun by her late father, Tony Hillerman." I don't know where the 25/26 discrepancy comes from -- in a series this long, off-by-one errors are easy.)

I found this more entertaining than average, mainly because there was always something going on. There's more event and emotion in this one than in the last. If, however, you are a more traditional mystery reader, you might be disappointed in this one, because the mystery is largely spoiled by a short early chapter in which the identity of the main culprit is revealed. If like me you are not personally invested in solving the mystery for yourself, this will not bother you.

Most of the action takes place at the USA's newest National Park, Bear's Ears National Monument, which was protected because of its large heritage of fossils and early human remains. Several of the main characters are paleontologists and archaeologists. Although I have no doubt that paleontology is as scientifically exciting as here presented, I seriously doubt that many practitioners find in it a path to fabulous wealth, or a motivation for murder. (It is possible that I am just ignorant of the fossil black market.)

This one is entirely about Bernie and Chee, who are together at Bear's Ears for most of the story. (Joe Leaphorn is still in Hawaii with Louisa.) Both are going through some things, and Bernie in particular is in an emotionally fragile state for most of the book. Now, if you've read previous books in the series, you're probably thinking something like, "'Emotionally fragile'? Bernie?" Yes, she is. All is eventually explained.

So, this is a fun mystery novel that, besides telling a packed story, also advances our understanding of Bernie and Chee. And of course, as always, of the Diné!

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