Thunderbird: Ben Pecos Mysteries, Book 3

Ben Pecos Mystery #3

by Susan Slater

Award-winning author Susan Slater introduces another edge-of-seat crime thriller in her critically acclaimed series! The fiery midnight crash of a Stealth fighter on a New Mexico reservation and the disappearance of a young Navajo woman put psychologist Ben Pecos and tribal police officer Tommy Spottedhorse on a sinister and mysterious trail. Tribal police lock horns with air force personnel over jurisdiction and the right to search for the missing woman. The murder of a local park ranger and several livestock mutilations complicate the whole picture and take the case from strange to downright bizarre. When it appears the missing Navajo woman, Brenda Begay, may have witnessed what happened that fateful night and might still be alive, Ben and Tommy Spottedhorse race to connect the pieces of the puzzle. Because, otherworldly or not, something evil is out there in the desert, awaiting a final showdown among the ruins of the Ancient Ones. Critical acclaim for Susan Slater’s “Thunderbird is a witty, absorbing tale.” —Publishers Weekly “A solid, suspenseful narrative and colorful glimpses of Native American life strongly recommend this ...” —Library Journal

Genres: Mystery, Native American

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 17, 2002

About the author

Susan has lived in the Southwest for 32 years. The enchantment of New Mexico comes alive in her Ben Pecos series - The Pumpkin Seed Massacre, Yellow Lies, Thunderbird, and A Way to the Manger.

Reviews

[Stephanie Dewey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great read. The characters are the best part in this mystery... Susan Slater does a fantastic job of developing characters you will always remember and who you feel attached to. This book will keep you intrigued and routing for the good guys!

[Emily Kestrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent mystery/adventure story, but the plot relied on way too many coincidences.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written book with a story that caused me to lose a bunch of sleep. The characters are well created and believable. The story is a story within a story with many lines of mystery to follow. It draws on some of the weird things that have been in the news. Animal mutilations. Stealing Federal secrets. A supposed kidnapping. A budding romance. A new employee to the Indian reservation. Even a dishonest TV reporter and his friend. Native American police, the FBI and the Military all involved in a crashed air plane. Read you will like it.

[Bruce D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of espionage and greed

Another good Ben Pecos story, although it centered more around his friend, deputy Tommy Spotted horse. Tommy went through a.lot trying not solve who had forced an air force plane down to steal the computer and electronics from it. Lots of chasing through the ruins of the

[Virginia Adi · Rating 4 out of 5]

improbable adventure but I love the characters

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This book is part of a series that's about a native American Indian who is a physcailst who works on a reservation.

[Jo Lerberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable Read

Second book I-have read by this author and I will read more! I really enjoy the cultural components and find the characters very believable.

[Sreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short easy read.

[Katherine Fahey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

[Vicky Castellano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know how I didn't know about these books. They are amazing. Very well written. I can't stop reading this series.

[Lee Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reread this, 2/11/25, and it was exciting today as it was three years ago! Everything I said below still stands and I absolutely love this series!!!

Oh my god what a thrilling roller coaster ride this book has been!!! It has kept me on the edge of my seat while I read through this VERY TWISTED story. So many surprises, so many turns! Just when you think you have got it all figured out...WAM!!! you are hit right between the eyes with something else. This author is so incredibly good, such a great storyteller. I am so very glad I found her and her books because I’m going to read them all!!! I love this series!!! I love how she has captured the characters and made them come alive! I love how she gathered all the edges of the storyline together until we finally had a whole picture and understood everything and all I could say was oh my God!!! This is one of the best books I have ever read!! (And I read over 300 a year.)

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mysterious crash of a stealth bomber on the Navajo reservation land leads to the disappearance of two people. Trouble from the government as they try to investigate without divulging what actually happened. Tommy Spottedhorse features more prominently than Ben Pecos, but an excellent adventure

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up for 50 cents - grabbed me from first sentence - quick read - enjoyed it.