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Charlie Henry #2
Grave Consequences
Charlie Henry, former Special Forces operative and newly minted pawnbroker, thinks that he's finally turned a corner and the calm, quiet life he's always wanted is just ahead. But life never really works out that way.
A young Navajo man comes into Charlie's shop, FOB Pawn, claiming that his girlfriend mistakenly pawned a beautiful family heirloom, a turquoise necklace that she desperately needs back. When he's unable to produce any proof of this tale, Charlie is immediately suspicious and sticks by the golden pawnbroker rule: No claim ticket, no exchange. Then the young man returns with reinforcements—and guns—making it abundantly clear that there's more to this story than a family treasure.
This necklace quickly becomes the focus of a case where everyone lies, and every question seems to answer with gunfire. With the help of his semi-estranged brother, Alfred, a tribal cop working undercover, Charlie quickly finds out that the pendant was the work of a Navajo silversmith who was recently murdered. And, in an act so taboo in Navajo culture as to be unthinkable, his grave dug up and this piece of jewelry removed. With multiple parties vying to get their hands on the necklace—for what ill-gotten gains, no one knows—it's up to Charlie and his comrades-in-arms to help find out who's really telling the truth, and uncover the mysteries that this heirloom holds.
A young Navajo man comes into Charlie's shop, FOB Pawn, claiming that his girlfriend mistakenly pawned a beautiful family heirloom, a turquoise necklace that she desperately needs back. When he's unable to produce any proof of this tale, Charlie is immediately suspicious and sticks by the golden pawnbroker rule: No claim ticket, no exchange. Then the young man returns with reinforcements—and guns—making it abundantly clear that there's more to this story than a family treasure.
This necklace quickly becomes the focus of a case where everyone lies, and every question seems to answer with gunfire. With the help of his semi-estranged brother, Alfred, a tribal cop working undercover, Charlie quickly finds out that the pendant was the work of a Navajo silversmith who was recently murdered. And, in an act so taboo in Navajo culture as to be unthinkable, his grave dug up and this piece of jewelry removed. With multiple parties vying to get their hands on the necklace—for what ill-gotten gains, no one knows—it's up to Charlie and his comrades-in-arms to help find out who's really telling the truth, and uncover the mysteries that this heirloom holds.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 27, 2015
49 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
David Thurlo
43 books42 followersDavid Thurlo, is co-author of the Ella Clah series, the Lee Nez series of Navajo vampire mysteries, and the Sister Agatha novels. His other works, co-written with his wife Aimée, include Plant Them Deep, a novel featuring Rose Destea, the mother of Ella Clah, and The Spirit Line, a young adult novel.
David was raised on the Navajo Reservation and taught school there until his recent retirement. He left Shiprock briefly to complete his education at the University of New Mexico.He lives in Corrales, New Mexico, and often makes appearances at area bookstores.
David and Aimée Thurlo were married for forty-three years. Aimée, born in Havana, Cuba, died in February 2014.
The Thurlos' novels, translated into many different languages, are available around the world.
David was raised on the Navajo Reservation and taught school there until his recent retirement. He left Shiprock briefly to complete his education at the University of New Mexico.He lives in Corrales, New Mexico, and often makes appearances at area bookstores.
David and Aimée Thurlo were married for forty-three years. Aimée, born in Havana, Cuba, died in February 2014.
The Thurlos' novels, translated into many different languages, are available around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 20, 2016
This was pretty terrible, but in a funny way.
I finished it because the plot wasn't too bad and the writing kept making me grin. But the characters were not - absolutely interchangeable, no way of telling who was 'talking' or doing what without checking back. 'Conversation' was stilted and never quite rang true. And it was the action that made me amused. I'm not quite sure why, but it kept coming off like the Three Stooges somehow - maybe because I never really knew who was doing what.
Anyway. I don't think I'll be adding any of the Thurlos' work to my must-read series.
I finished it because the plot wasn't too bad and the writing kept making me grin. But the characters were not - absolutely interchangeable, no way of telling who was 'talking' or doing what without checking back. 'Conversation' was stilted and never quite rang true. And it was the action that made me amused. I'm not quite sure why, but it kept coming off like the Three Stooges somehow - maybe because I never really knew who was doing what.
Anyway. I don't think I'll be adding any of the Thurlos' work to my must-read series.
August 2, 2017
Charlie Henry, a former Special Ops soldier, now turned pawnbroker in Albuquerque, NM, thinks the calm, quiet life he’s always wanted is within reach. The pawning of a turquoise squash blossom with a tainted history brings him and his partner, Gordon, into contact with street gangs, car jackings, explosions, murders, the FBI, and Charlie’s estranged brother, a tribal policeman. So much for settling into a predictable life.
I am a big fan of this series, as well as the authors’ other books (the Ella Clah series, and the Lee Nez series). The writing is smooth, the characters (even the secondary ones) fully-developed, the settings well described, and the plots believable. I like the relationship between Gordon and Charlie (vets trying to fit into civilian life), and Charlie and his more traditional Navajo parents. I like how Charlie and Gordon get to use their military skills in their day-to-day lives, and how they help the downtrodden and right wrongs. The introduction of Charlie’s brother Al is an interesting wrinkle, and I hope he shows up in future books. This was an action-packed read with a satisfying ending, and I recommend it highly. I recommend starting with Book 1, “The Pawnbroker,” because the stories are interlinked. You could, however, read this first and not be lost by the references to previous occurrences. I just find them more enjoyable in order. Oh, and do check out the authors’ other works – much to be enjoyed there as well.
I am a big fan of this series, as well as the authors’ other books (the Ella Clah series, and the Lee Nez series). The writing is smooth, the characters (even the secondary ones) fully-developed, the settings well described, and the plots believable. I like the relationship between Gordon and Charlie (vets trying to fit into civilian life), and Charlie and his more traditional Navajo parents. I like how Charlie and Gordon get to use their military skills in their day-to-day lives, and how they help the downtrodden and right wrongs. The introduction of Charlie’s brother Al is an interesting wrinkle, and I hope he shows up in future books. This was an action-packed read with a satisfying ending, and I recommend it highly. I recommend starting with Book 1, “The Pawnbroker,” because the stories are interlinked. You could, however, read this first and not be lost by the references to previous occurrences. I just find them more enjoyable in order. Oh, and do check out the authors’ other works – much to be enjoyed there as well.
February 1, 2016
Charlie Henry and his sidekick, Gordon, are ex-Special Forces soldiers, now partners in the FOB Pawnshop in Albuquerque, NM, but civilian life hardly is a retiring one for either of them. Trouble seems to find them on a regular basis in this second of a series of action-packed adventure. Mysteries and mischief seem to just walk into their store. In this latest story, it begins when a young woman pawns a valuable Navajo necklace.
Soon three gunmen enter the pawnshop in an attempt to retrieve the bracelet. And a shootout results in one of them dead and another wounded, with Charlie and Gordon none the less for wear, but off and running to find out what prompted the invasion. This leads to a wild goose chase all around the New Mexico city with violence galore until they learn what lies behind they mystery of the bracelet and the death of its creator.
While the plot follows a traditional pattern of a police procedural, and there are plenty of cops involved, with enormous assistance from Charlie and Gordon, the novel really centers on the swashbuckling duo and their antics, rather than detecting clues to solve a crime or murder. And there is plenty of this type of action to satisfy the most bloodthirsty reader.
Recommended.
Soon three gunmen enter the pawnshop in an attempt to retrieve the bracelet. And a shootout results in one of them dead and another wounded, with Charlie and Gordon none the less for wear, but off and running to find out what prompted the invasion. This leads to a wild goose chase all around the New Mexico city with violence galore until they learn what lies behind they mystery of the bracelet and the death of its creator.
While the plot follows a traditional pattern of a police procedural, and there are plenty of cops involved, with enormous assistance from Charlie and Gordon, the novel really centers on the swashbuckling duo and their antics, rather than detecting clues to solve a crime or murder. And there is plenty of this type of action to satisfy the most bloodthirsty reader.
Recommended.
May 18, 2019
This is the second book in the Charlie Henry series by the Thurlos. Charlie and his good buddy Gordon are ex army special forces with Charlie as a bonifide hero. They are now civilians and owners of a pawnshop in Albuquerque New Mexico. So, just what can these two characters get up to owning a pawnshop in Albuquerque? Well, driveby shootings, murders and general mahem - they carry firearms and use them to fight the many bad guys they run into. The local police like them and admire their skills by working with them. Once you accept this premise the book is well written and exciting. The boys meet some of the worst gangsters in the area. A local tough is trying to retrieve a necklace that might be evidence in a crime. The necklace, of course was pawned at the pawnshop owned by our heroes. Lots of interesting characters and shootings fill the pages. Its an exciting read - you'll like it.
July 13, 2017
Henry and Sweeney, two former Special Forces, soldiers own a pawn shop in New Mexico. When a young woman pawns a squash blossom necklace, organized criminals try to retrieve it by any means possible including violence. As bodies fall Charlie Henry's family is placed in danger as he and his partner take on the Native American mob.
May 23, 2022
Good writing!! New series from this team. Love the setting (same ) and think the charters show a lot of promise
This team of David and Aimee Thurlo have other books. They are worth finding and reading
This team of David and Aimee Thurlo have other books. They are worth finding and reading
July 9, 2017
Book 2 of the Charlie Henry Mystery series. Excellent read. Similar to Ella Clah books.
August 4, 2019
He really needs to stop writing because his books are terrible.
Read
June 4, 2025Too confusing. Too many guns and confusing identities. Did not finish.
March 5, 2015
Kirkus reviews: "Fast paced thriller that's not very mysterious but has plenty of local colour". Yes on the pacing; every page seems to have a written for tv shootout, gadgets and technology, the special ops vets turned Albuquerque pawn shop owners with a mysterious piece of turquoise jewelry get battered and bruised but come through. I do not agree with "plenty of local colour" though. The New Mexico setting is scantily and superficially drawn, ditto the nod to "Navajo" mystery. Just cannot compare to the Hillerman oeuvre so don't even think about it, if that is what you are looking for.
July 18, 2015
This is a whole different take on Navaho country mysteries from the Hillerman books, although we benefit from those many books in background to a number of the references in this one. I quite enjoyed this second book in the series featuring Charlie Henry, and I will look for the first one. This couple, together and separately, have written many books, with a number featuring this area of the US. I hope that David Thurlo continues with this series, following the death of his wife and co-author.
November 2, 2015
Just a few months after solving the mystery of the death of Diego Baza (Charlie's shop's previous owner) a man comes in looking for a priceless necklace that was pawned by a girl in her 20's. The man says it is his girlfriend. But Charlie doesn't believe him. When Charlie turns the man down, the man gets angry and comes back with reinforcements......and guns. As Charlie tries to find out who attacked him and his army buddy Gordon, he unravels even more mysteries and his brother gets involved. 304 pages
December 21, 2015
A young Navajo man comes into Charlie Henry and Gordon Sweeney's shop, trying to get his hands on a turquoise bracelet recently pawned by a young woman. It doesn’t take them long to find out that the necklace belonged to a Navajo silversmith who was recently murdered. From there the violence escalates, often pushed by Charlie’s aggressiveness. Unlike previous mysteries written by the authors as a team, this reads more like a thriller. Machismo abounds, which I suspect is not likely to appeal to Ella Clah fans.
May 11, 2015
Charlie Henry, a Navajo former Special Forces soldier, runs a pawn shop in Albuquerque with his non-Navajo friend and US Army buddy, Gordon Sweeney. Both are hard-headed and tough, which comes in handy when their shop is targeted by three young Navajos seeking to reclaim a valuable pawned necklace at gunpoint and without a pawn ticket. How the necklace, stolen from the grave of a murdered craftsman, came to be pawned, and what Charlie and company do about it, makes for a fairly brisk read.
May 3, 2015
Charlie Henry and his pal are pulled into an investigation of a murder of a silversmith when a turquoise and silver necklace is pawned at their shop. That is only the beginning of a exciting and suspenseful read. Enjoy this book a lot and can't wait to see what David Thurlo writes next.
July 14, 2015
Still entertaining, though this one felt somewhat less believable. If the series continues this is probably where I'll leave things. Maybe pick them back up again later when I need something quick and entertaining again.
June 6, 2015
Too slow. The NM setting and Navajo character seemed very superficial. This no Hillerman or Van Gieson atmospheric mystery.
June 14, 2015
Amusing, but I tire of having ALL of the action described in dialogue. There is a time and place for exposition.
June 17, 2015
Somewhat exciting at the end.
August 27, 2015
I found it hard to believe that a local police force would ever mount such "operations" with civilians. And the villains are so incompetent.
September 22, 2015
The characters in this book are endearing. The story was interesting but maybe just a smidge dry. I like the characters well enough that I'll be reading another in the series.
January 25, 2016
couldn't get interested in story or characters.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews