Dyed in the Wool by Joyce Lekas

by Joyce Lekas

Dyed in the Wool is a suspense novel set in the southwest and the Navajo Nation. Environmental issues are central, as is the Navajo way of life, and weaving. When Annie McLeod’s car is rammed and shoved into a ditch in the dead of night, she knows that something criminal is afoot on the Navajo reservation. She and her stepsons are injured in the crash, the latest in a string of problems. First, an experimental testing device showed toxins in reservation stream water; then Navajo weavers confided they believed something was wrong with their wool. Scientists solve problems, and Annie, a chemist, is determined to uncover the threats facing the Navajo people. From the analytical lab where she works in Phoenix, to the craggy mountains and remote canyons of the vast reservation, Annie’s quest uncovers a deadly business, where the stakes keep rising and not everyone comes out alive.

Genres: Mystery

Paperback

First published November 30, 2012

Reviews

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the native backdrop & culture. Flavor of Tony Hillerman. The relationships of stepmom & kids a little too stereotypical and of the tiptoeing flowerchild mom was silly. The bad guys too obviously repulsive tho somehow the native bad guy becoming noble in the end is unlikely. The idea that the rooftop & hostage scene could ever have played out is more than implausible.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This book is one that brings about how evil people can bring harm to an entire community and it's people.

[L.Joy Dunnigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

The characters are well developed. The story line is well constructed and holds your interest throughout. A nice afternoon read that will keep you engaged.

[Jan Chiles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read

I chose the rating because it is written wonderfully. Even though some places were a bit anticlimactic and slow it still catches your attention. There were too many subplots, also.

[Sybilla Cook]

Since I’m a great fan of Tony Hillerman I enjoyed this one. It is set on the Navajo Indian reservation, but it is very different in tone,though it starts with a Yei warning figure. The main character here water chemist Annie McCloud who is trying to bond with her adolescent stepsons while their father is on a business trip to Uruguay. She decides to take them on a visit to Canyon de Chelly.

On the way, Annie stops to visit a colleague’s mother, a traditional weaver on a Navajo reservation. The weavers have had trouble with the wool from their herds of sheep, and Annie wonders if it might be something in the nearby stream from which the sheep drink. Her own MetalMan water tester has shown high levels of dangerous metals.

Annie and the boys realize two suspicious looking men are watching her. Then, when she and the boys are trying to find a camping spot one evening, a large truck runs her off the road into a ditch. They are injured, but a Navajo policeman discovers the accident and takes them to the hospital. A few days later Annie is kidnapped and abandoned on a lonely mountain road.

The author interweaves these strands with various family relationships into a taut contemporary story, woven as tightly as Two Gray Hills blanket. Even though the reader can guess what is going on, the final resolution of the mystery is very satisfying with no loose ends.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two reasons I picked this book up. I have been to Arizona and traveled through a Navaho reservation. The other reason is that I was lucky enough to meet the author on a recent tour of Spain and Portugal. I was not disappointed! The book is written with beautiful descriptions of the Arizona landscape. You feel as though you are traveling there with the main character, Annie. The story is suspenseful and the characters are well developed. I totally enjoyed it and look forward to other books from this author and friend.

[Alan Spinrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many story lines, well blended, though somewhat predictable. That did not detract from the pleasure of the read. I enjoy the portrayal of Southwest Native America culture. From that standpoint, Tony Hillerman lite.

[Debra L. White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This was a great read, the Author took great pains to ensure that the story was accurate to a T. I would recommend this book to any of my mystery crazy friends!

[Mic Eaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Veried mystery

Lots of deferent story lines going on making this fast paced book a good read. Lots of description of Navaho religion, life, and weaving.