Earthway

Ella Clah #14

by Aimée Thurlo, David Thurlo

Ella Clah has found her place on the Navajo Reservation, in her tribe, her clan, and her family. She has seen the Diné at their worst—and at their best—as they balance the modern era with the traditional Navajo way of life.

The Navajo are building a nuclear power plant on the Reservation. Though the tribe voted for the plant, there are those who believe that nuclear power is inherently dangerous—and particularly so for the Navajo, due to past uranium mining operations that contaminated land and water and sickened many Navajo workers and their families.

A group of activists is determined to do whatever is necessary to stop the plant—assault, sabotage, domestic terrorism. When a fellow Navajo Police officer is injured in an attack aimed at Ella’s boyfriend, Ella vows to do whatever it takes to find the terrorists and bring them to justice.

Genres: Mystery, Native American, Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2009

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

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Thurlo books were recommended to me by B&N staff as a comparable mystery to Hillerman. I chose this book to begin with, to determine if, in my opinion, it had the Hillerman technique. I thought the plot was almost grindingly fast. . . and missed the narration of the scenes, the depth of contemplation that an investigator must have to move on so quickly into the next clue. The plot was very good but I felt the characters were rushed in too quickly and although familiar with the geographic area, this book did not draw me into the feel of the land or the traditions of the Navajo. It was a good mystery with a quick set resolution.

[Nancy Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I have finally figured out what it is about this series that bugs me so. Pages and words are spent to set up the situation and all the supposed players--a bit of home and personal life is woven in but about 3/4s of a way in the miscreant's name is finally dropped and then in a full gallop Ella and her team tie everything up and it is over. It defies logic. Not sure where that leaves me and the series. I guess we will see.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 14th Book I have read in the series. You might say I am a fan. I appreciate the perspective on the Navaho way of life and the view of women on crime. I have read reviews of comparing her work being compared unfavorable to Tony Hillerman. Her books are less police procedural than most mysteries that I have read. I do not believe she intends to write a police procedural but more on an old-fashioned mystery of the type that Agatha Christie wrote. Remember folks, its fiction.

My suggestion is to start at the beginning, read the whole series and get involved with the characters. You will see how they, and the author, evolve over time. I have rated the books in this series 3-5 with most being a solid 4. I intend to complete the series.

[Ashley]

The Ella Clah stories are good mysteries.
My one frustration for the entire series is the inconsistencies in language, places, spellings, etc. Not sure if this comes down to inadequate proof-reading and editing or something else.
Derails are important in books that are a series and characters build from book to book.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone is trying to prevent the opening of a nuclear power plant on the reservation and Ella Clah of the tribal police is on the case. Although I usually enjoy mysteries involving information on tribal customs this one did not grab me. Although the mystery was fine the characters seemed flat and uninteresting spoiling my enjoyment of the book.

[Kathy Schouten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I’ve read 14 of the books in this series I can still say I love the Navajo aspect. The plot itself has become pretty predictable especially when it involves terrorists. Less predictable is Ellas social life, which has been been to follow.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad, though there were times when I had to roll my eyes at how naive this "former FBI agent" could be. But overall, it was an enjoyable read.

[Rett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good detective novel. Takes place on Indian reservation, but FBI participates. Some twists and turns. Light quick read

[Pat Brennan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, but not Hillerman :)

[Doris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ella Clah returns in Earthway, as she investigates the near-death by bombing of her current romantic interest, focusing on the college where he teaches and the nuclear reactor being built on the reservation. We also get to see the outside world reaching in to tap a good resource when former FBI agents ask her to be part of their newly formed private firm.

The story itself centers on the ability to use people who are related in some way, or close to their neighbors in a way mostly forgotten in this hurried world, and to tap on the caring relationships to bring to justice wrongdoers and restore peace to their world.

That said, the little bit of magic Ella Clah uses in the process of finding the bomber is a different twist on a solid mystery which has elements of the famed storyteller Tony Hillerman while being its own unique and solid world. Thurlo writes stories in the same world as Hillerman, while not dismissing the unique beliefs and worldviews of previous centuries as is all too common in ethnic-focused writing.

A good mystery with solid teamwork among the police and good community rapport for the most part, although it seemed that too often clues were dismissed or overlooked, making this a less than stellar writing.

[Little Fish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was this ever EXCITING, READ UNTIL I couldn't read any more in a day!
The Navajo/Dine People were taking control of their environment by building a Nuclear Power Plant, and of course there were those against it.
This another one of Ella Clah, Navajo Police Special Agent Mysteries and it is GOOD! There was a bombing in a Classroom, what did it have to do with the Power Plant? Did it? Who did it? Where were they? Why? So many question and so little time to answer.

and the many things I learned about the different "WAYS" amd a few new words to add to a few I already know.

Hope you enjoy it too!

[Catherine Woodman]

I agree with another reviewer--the ending really dragged out in this latest installment of the Ellah Clah series--I am thankful that she is no longer sniping with the father of her child. I know, they were never a couple to speak of, but it got old. THe book focuses almost exclusively on the crime, which is a balance that is not ideal for me. I prefer murder mysteries where there is about equal parts personal life with the story of the crime. Maybe that was part of it. But I think there was jsut too much of 'the chase' which was NOT an action sequence that I got bogged down in.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 15th title in the series, and the authors keep giving us more police procedural plot details instead of developing the characters more. We come back for the relationships between the characters, but poor Justine and Rose have barely changed in the last few books, and while we've gotten peeks at Ella's development, it's not enough. Even the crimes have gotten repetitive. Where's the excitement of the first 5 books? Maybe it's time to retire Ella. :/

[Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great addition to the mystery line -- and a Soho Mystery! Ella Clah is a Navajo who is also, like Joe Leaphorn, a tribal police woman. Her handing of the case involves lots of willing help from all kinds of other police - the FBI, the Sherrif, other counties, and lots of cell phone and modern technologies. These folks don't seem to be too worried about privacy or civil rights -- but of course the right people get put in jail. Lots of good worries and lots of good thrills.

[Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great mystery on the Navajo reservation! The Thurlo's always have a great story while further filling out the cast of characters that are in the books. They have a great way of bringing you up-to-date without making you feel like you missed something. The mysteries show good honest police work with logical narrowing of suspects and events. Even though there is still discussion of the Navajo way to find balance there is less and less mysticism as part of the solving the crimes.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella Clah is a Navajo Police Special Investigator. Her love interest, Ford, is a minister, and 2 attempts are made on his life. How is that connected with the nuclear reactor being built on the reservation? Twists and turns of the plot take Ella to a cultish religious community, an abusive husband, and a college campus. Good inclusion of the "Navajo way" customs.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Navajo police officer Ella Clah investigates the attempted murder of the minister that she is dating and uncovers a plot to destroy a nuclear reacter being built on the reservation. Her daughter is visiting the girl's father in Washington, DC. Clah must also consider a job offer that would take her from the reservation to the nation's capital.

[Michael Starsheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in this series

I gave this book five stars because it was suspenseful; a good read. I enjoyed the story and the interplay of the characters and the Navajo culture. I will be interested to see what happens in the series.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable outing in the Ella Clah series with a closed case at the end, but personal issues left - no doubt - for the next book.

[Catherine Martin]

This is a great series. Better than Hillerman. Fully developed characters. You can see the beauty of the Rez through her eyes.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best so far. I love this series.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good ad the others, but still good. I think I'm getting towards the end of this series. I don't know what to read next, but I think I am now a mystery fan.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like these authors, but it seems like the stories are starting to just repeat themes and stories as the series goes along.

[Lynn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's lots of Navajo lore which I find interesting. The tone is rather didactic, though, and the plot is ho-hum.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

Navajo customs and traditions. great characters. strong woman police detective. good plot.

[William Wynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the Navajo Way!

[Jay Sprenkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice mystery with an interesting twist to the plot. I liked the characters and connected well with them.

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cannot wait to read the next book in this series.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fast read. No skinwalkers.

[Susan Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Ella Clah mystery. Love reading about the Navaho reservation.