Looking Through Darkness: A Trading Post Novel

Trading post #2

by Aimée Thurlo, David Thurlo

“Readers seeking an uplifting yet classically suspenseful Native American love story will soak up the soulful and spiritual heart of [this book].”—RT Book Reviews on A Time of Change
Few writers have captured the flavor of the American Southwest better than Aimee and David Thurlo, in both mysteries and romantic suspense.

Josephine Buck runs a trading post just off the Navajo Reservation. Widow Leigh Ann Vance is Jo’s right-hand-woman, filling the emptiness in her own life. Shortly after her husband, Kurt, was killed, Leigh Ann discovered he had been having a string of affairs. Leigh Ann's trust issues affect her feelings for blind sculptor Melvin Littlewater.

Kurt’s business partners accuse Leigh Ann of helping Kurt embezzle and the police wonder if Leigh Ann killed him. When she turns to Melvin for help, she finds him fighting his own demons, haunted by memories of a young girl he saw moments before the car crash that cost him his sight.

Together, Leigh Ann and Melvin delve into the darkest moments of their pasts, searching for truth and light.

Genres: Romance, Mystery

304 pages, Hardcover

First published July 7, 2015

About the author

Aimee and David Thurlo are the authors of the Ella Clah mysteries, the Sister Agatha mysteries, the Lee Nez vampire novels all set in New Mexico. David grew up on the Navajo Indian Nation, and Aimee, a native of Cuba, lived in the southwest for forty years.

Aimée passed away peacefully at her home on the morning of February 28, 2014, after a brief struggle with cancer and related complications. She was attended by her husband of 43 years, David. Aimée was 62 years old.

Reviews

[Shomeret · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last book that Aimee Thurlo worked on re-affirmed the values that have always been central to her throughout her career and her abiding love for both the Southwest and the Navajo.

This book also brought into a prominence a very memorable character, the blind sculptor Melvin Littlewater. He evolved as an artist so that he was able to express profound insights through his work. By the end of the novel he reminded me of the legendary blind seer Tiresias. Melvin Littlewater is one of the many reasons why I will never forget Aimee Thurlo.

[Steve Payne · Rating 1 out of 5]

The dialogue seemed forced and predictable. I could almost picture the characters reading from cue cards. Many parts of the story were repetitive. I didn't need to hear about the .38 in her purse or that she wasn't ready to give her heart to Melvin over and over again. I'm not sure who was more incompetent, the criminals or the police who were investigating. Overall, a pretty disappointing read. It be honest though I was not expecting a romance-suspense novel. I had read a few books from the Inspector Clah series and that was what I was expecting.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leigh Ann Vance and her friends from the Outpost where she works are engaged as victims of terror. Leigh Ann is almost killed by a booby trap her deceased husband left in her attic. His business partners begin to harass her for something he had before he was murdered. Jo and the Outpost become a target of vandalism and violence after a Navajo she and her spirit training had given a blessing to dies. Looking Through Darkness is heavy on romance but well written.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wouldn't be my choice if asked to identify the best book written by this prolific duo of authors. But as the last one before Aimee's illness & untimely death, it is a testament to the degree that relationships have been valued & highlighted throughout the many novels they have produced. Family ties, the bonds of friendship, & the power of redemption are an integral part of what also is a good mystery. A must read for Thurlo fans, it also will appeal to anyone who appreciates a strong blend of romance & mystery.

[Teri Stich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, while it wasn't her best work it was a fun, entertaining book. I will miss her writing as she was one of my favorite authors. Thank you Aimee for many years of reading. David, you are a good writer in your own right and I know I will be reading yours for many more.

[Molly Whitebear · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO SAD THIS WAS AIMÉE'S LAST NOVEL!

Now that I've read books 1 & 2 of The Trading Post Series, I'm so sad this lovely group of people I've come to view almost as family will be fading into the distance if there are to be no more books written in this series! I would have loved to read all the detailed stories on each one of these wonderful characters Aimée & David Thurlo created!

I enjoyed these first two books of this series immensely! Hopefully someday David will pick up this series where beautiful Aimée left off!

[Molly Whitebear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I've read books 1 & 2 of The Trading Post Series, I'm so sad this lovely group of people I've come to view almost as family will be fading into the distance if there are to be no more books written in this series! I would have loved to read all the detailed stories on each one of these wonderful characters Aimée & David Thurlo created!

I enjoyed these first two books of this series immensely! Hopefully someday David will pick up this series where beautiful Aimée left off!

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were several interesting characters in this book which revolves around Aimee Thurlo's home of the heart, the American Southwest and the Native American craftspeople.

I felt it was a little light on the development of the mystery, but it came together nicely in the end, melding the spiritual and the romantic into a cozy little story.

[Nancy Trent · Rating 5 out of 5]

book review

Nice follow up story. I like reading books such as this on a series which books builds on themselves. It lets you feel like you know the characters. I wish that it was on unlimited kindle because it does get expensive.

[Jerri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leighton Ann in love with blind sculptor. Her murdered husband an embezzler.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

The most obvious reference of the title is to sculptor Melvin Littlewater who lost his sight in an auto accident. He can still see shapes and colors in the daytime, but only darkness at night. He and Leigh Ann are fond of each other but their relationship is tormented by the secrets that are keeping from each other. If this sounds more like a romance novel than a mystery, that fairly well sums up the book. A disappointing entry from writers that have been more reliable.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was saddened to learn that this was the late Aimee Thurlo's last book.

[Margaret May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book mystery , love and even Navajo beliefs and rituals. Last book written byAimee Thurlo although written with her husband David.
A delight - easy to read.