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Ella Clah #1
Blackening Song
Black ening Song is the debut of Navajo FBI agent Ella Clah, who returns to the reservation to investigate the murder of her father, a minister. The ritual nature of the killing makes Ella's brother, a medicine man, the prime suspect. Without cooperation from the tribe, the FBI, or the local police, Ella must plumb the depths of the struggle between traditionalist and modernist forces among the Navajo to find her father's murderer.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
73 people are currently reading
1403 people want to read
About the author
Aimée Thurlo
98 books151 followersAimee 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
September 12, 2009
While I respect Tony Hillerman, his perspective had been that of an observer. The Ella Clah series feels like a participant viewpoint. We are on the reservation. We are experiencing the family life of Ella Clah. We discover her history in this novel and how her family incorporates different approaches to living as a Native American in contemporary society. The events in Blackening Song change Ella's life and have tremendous dramatic impact.
April 14, 2016
Something about Tony Hillerman's writing has never quite sat well with me, so I was pleased to find another pair of writers who had tried to write about crime on the Reservation. While I would not call Ella Clah's debut outstanding, I will consider trying other books by the Thurlo's (unfortunately Aimee has passed, and David remains writing).
The murder of Ella's father forces draws the FBI special agent back to a place she has avoided. Ella has felt torn between her father's decision to become a Christian reverend, and her mother's adherence to the Dineh's traditional ways. Add to this Ella's charismatic brother Clifford has steadily become a force on the Rez as a medicine man (forgive I cannot use the proper Dineh spelling without the book in front of me).
And, Clifford is a leading suspect in their father's death.
In the prologue the Thurlo's mention that there are aspects of Dineh beliefs and practices that they do not go into in full out of respect for the Dineh. David Thurlo grew up on the Rez (this is mentioned in the afterword). Perhaps, this is why it felt like the setting and description of the community felt accurate to me (as a note my step-daughter is Native American).
This is a very steady procedural, with a focus being on Ella feeling torn between two worlds and trying to find her own path.
The murder of Ella's father forces draws the FBI special agent back to a place she has avoided. Ella has felt torn between her father's decision to become a Christian reverend, and her mother's adherence to the Dineh's traditional ways. Add to this Ella's charismatic brother Clifford has steadily become a force on the Rez as a medicine man (forgive I cannot use the proper Dineh spelling without the book in front of me).
And, Clifford is a leading suspect in their father's death.
In the prologue the Thurlo's mention that there are aspects of Dineh beliefs and practices that they do not go into in full out of respect for the Dineh. David Thurlo grew up on the Rez (this is mentioned in the afterword). Perhaps, this is why it felt like the setting and description of the community felt accurate to me (as a note my step-daughter is Native American).
This is a very steady procedural, with a focus being on Ella feeling torn between two worlds and trying to find her own path.
September 8, 2013
Full disclosure: I only got to the beginning of Chapter 4. And usually I don't review books I can't finish. If I don't like a book after the first 10-20%, then I don't finish it, but I don't normally write a review because on some level I don't think that's fair to the author(s).
BUT in the case of Blackening Song I am making an exception. I had read some good reviews from a mystery group and I love Tony Hillerman books, so I was looking forward to reading this book. And the first chapter was promising except for one glaring issue with the main character's judgment of a person who turned out to be a murderer. But I was willing to believe that the character had let her judgment slip a bit.
Chapters two, three and the first bit of four disappointed me on several levels. I did not believe an FBI agent with six years of experience in that agency would behave the way the main character did. As a female in a male-dominated profession, I have an expectation of how characters will behave who are similarly situated. For example, the author Dana Stabenow created a female character who is also Native American and who works in law enforcement, and that character rings true to me. This character did not.
Also, the authors did not follow the "show, don't tell" rule that is key to writing I like to read. The over-explaining got very old. I enjoy reading work by authors who treat me as if I can figure some things out for myself.
And I was very disappointed in the Navajo storyline. None of the characters rang true to me based on my reading and study of Navajo culture.
BUT in the case of Blackening Song I am making an exception. I had read some good reviews from a mystery group and I love Tony Hillerman books, so I was looking forward to reading this book. And the first chapter was promising except for one glaring issue with the main character's judgment of a person who turned out to be a murderer. But I was willing to believe that the character had let her judgment slip a bit.
Chapters two, three and the first bit of four disappointed me on several levels. I did not believe an FBI agent with six years of experience in that agency would behave the way the main character did. As a female in a male-dominated profession, I have an expectation of how characters will behave who are similarly situated. For example, the author Dana Stabenow created a female character who is also Native American and who works in law enforcement, and that character rings true to me. This character did not.
Also, the authors did not follow the "show, don't tell" rule that is key to writing I like to read. The over-explaining got very old. I enjoy reading work by authors who treat me as if I can figure some things out for myself.
And I was very disappointed in the Navajo storyline. None of the characters rang true to me based on my reading and study of Navajo culture.
March 6, 2009
BLACKENING SONG (Pol. Proc-Ella Clah-New Mexico-Cont) - NR
Thurlo, David and Aimee - 1st in series
From Fantastic Fiction: Ella Clah, a tough Navajo FBI agent, must combine modern investigative techniques with traditional Native American mystical beliefs to solve a murder on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico.
It started out well, bogged down in the middle and I was completely bored by the end. Shan't read another.
Thurlo, David and Aimee - 1st in series
From Fantastic Fiction: Ella Clah, a tough Navajo FBI agent, must combine modern investigative techniques with traditional Native American mystical beliefs to solve a murder on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico.
It started out well, bogged down in the middle and I was completely bored by the end. Shan't read another.
July 27, 2016
Finally got through a book by Aimee Thurlo. I find Native American beliefs fascinating. Their explanations of the why and how are so much more entertaining and colorful than what the other races/religions came up with. And they seem to not be offended by the existence of others. This book sets up the characters for the rest of the series so there is a lot of background. It also solves the horrific murder of Ella's father. The stage is set.
March 8, 2021
I enjoyed this novel for the way it felt, and the atmosphere, more than the actual story and characters. I have visited reservations in the past, and done research on them, but have never really delved into their tribal police or their true feelings on outsiders. I do enjoy police procedurals and investigations and native american stories, so this seemed to fit both of those interests nicely. The only problem here was that the story dragged on for WAY too long- about 100 pages more than necessary. Ella would go back and forth to the same places with the same people so many times that I lost track. I would lose interest and move on to other books while this one languished on my table. The mysticism parts were intriguing enough, I felt like they didn't really amount to much of anything. The perpetrator wasn't super obvious, and I found myself wracking my brain trying to figure out if there were any real clues pointing to the murderer. I also would have liked to see more of an attraction between Ella and Wilson, which we really didn't get here.
All in all, it was fine, interesting enough, but a little too long for my taste. I will read the next, but I won't be diving in for awhile yet.
All in all, it was fine, interesting enough, but a little too long for my taste. I will read the next, but I won't be diving in for awhile yet.
July 7, 2012
Ella Clah is a young FBI agent, having left the Navajo Reservation for college and law enforcement. She receives a phone call that her father has been ritually murdered. When she returns home she learns that in the eyes of the FBI, her brother is the chief suspect. Ella disobeys direct orders to seek the truth and learn of her father's murder. This is a complex, action packed mystery that puts the traditional Navajo ways against the progressive. Mysticism, intuition and custom fight with Ella as she struggles to maintain her modern, neutral stance and also as she strives to find her place in the world.
An excellent and compelling story.
An excellent and compelling story.
May 11, 2015
Blackening Song is the debut of FBI agent Ella Clah who returns to the Navajo reservation to solve the mystery of who killed her father. Her brother is a medicine man who uses his skills to help her fight skinwalkers. The book delves into Navajo culture, actually a little more than I wanted because I thought it slowed the pace of the book down. However, I liked the Ella Clah character and the storyline was good. I didn't figure out who the enemy was before he was revealed. I would read another of the books in this series.
March 18, 2012
FBI agent Ella Clah goes back to the Navajo reservation after preacher father is killed and mutilated. Her brother is the prime suspect of the law enforcement investigating the case. She does not fit in because she had left the reservation after her marriage to a Navajo Army ranger. Complicating the case are Navajo witches called skinwalkers and an FBI agent who alienates Anglos and Navajo alike. This sets the foundation for a series about Ella Clah
December 14, 2013
Ella Clah, Navajo who left the reservation to become an FBI agent and now returns to try and unofficially solve her father's murder. Her brother becomes a suspect in his death and Ella must prove his innocence. During the process of solving her father's murder, she also becomes the target of the killer. Ella begins to discover alot about herself and why she left the reservation. These skills also helped her hunt down her father's killer. Suspensefully, good read.
March 19, 2014
In the spirit of Tony Hillerman, Ella Clah, is a Navajo FBI agent who returns to her home, the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, to find the killer of her father. Steeped in Indian legend, customs and lore, Ella defends her family and her looks for a peace she never knew she was missing. I enjoyed this first book in a series that Hillerman himself recommended when it was first published. It was a great read.
June 18, 2010
This is another series of mystery books focusing on the Navajo Reservation. While not the best book I have read, it was entertaining and contained much information about Navajo cultural beliefs along with the main plot line. Since this was the first book of a 15 or 16 book series, I think I will try the next two or three books before I buy all the rest.
January 3, 2014
Very enjoyable book. Having grown up next to the Navajo rez in Northern Arizona, I have always been fascinated by Navajo myths and beliefs. I'm also a big fan of mystery/thrillers. This combines both in a fast-paced format and is reminiscent of the Tony Hillerman novels except that the hero (heroine) is a female FBI agent, Ella Clah. Good enough for me to want to read the next in the series.
October 2, 2017
I wanted to give this 3.5 stars but Goodread doesn't allow that, so I had to choose between 3 or 4 stars. I finally chose 4 because I am familiar with the series and there were some good passages. I didn't like or find believable at all the mysticism. If the Indians had the ability to change shapes the whites would never have been able to steal their land.
March 16, 2014
I read the latest one (#17) and now the first in the series. I find the principal character, Ella, compelling and interesting but the story goes on too long. You just want it to end. I'll have to read more to see if we can have a plot without skinwalkers.
December 3, 2016
Ella Clah
First one I have and I did enjoy it very much. Different From Tony Hillerman books in that this was a little more graphic description of some of the violence, not unusual these days.
First one I have and I did enjoy it very much. Different From Tony Hillerman books in that this was a little more graphic description of some of the violence, not unusual these days.
September 24, 2011
Great story with medicore writing. I kept wanting more description, reflection, foreshadowing -- depth of any kind! very disappointed.
April 29, 2012
Good read for Tony Hillerman fans who need new material. The Ella Clah character is not always as I would craft her, but she stands by her principles.
September 25, 2012
A little lighter in many ways compared to Tony Hillerman, these books are still worth a read for anyone interested in Native American customs and how that meshes with crime investigation.
February 24, 2019
Ella, Clifford and Wilson. Good characters. The Navajo culture is always intriguing.
July 14, 2019
Ella Clah, the protagonist of the Ella Clah series by Aimee and David Thurlo was brought to life in 1995. The authors who met, and married in a whirlwind romance were together for 43 years at the time of Aimee's death. While Aimee was originally assigned full credit for authorship of this series, later editions include David as well. The authentic feel to the series was due to David's childhood. He was raised in Shiprock, on the Navajo Nation. Their team writing flows smoothly. According to an online interview published in Mystery Scene, David is the plotter, though scenes and the general direction of the book were worked together. When Aimee's name took precedence, she wrote the first and second draft. David would write the third and fourth draft. Their efforts were highly successful. At the time of Aimee's death, they had published over 84 novels, seventeen of which were the Ella Clah series.
Book One opens with a tense standoff in an LA coffee shop. A disgruntled job interviewee has returned to demand his 'rights'. He has already discharged his weapon and taken hostages. Ella who was dining in the restaurant ends the confrontation the only possible way, by killing the assailant. At the end of this long, bone weary day filled with conversations with both the LA police and her fellow F.B.I. colleagues she receives a phone call advising her that her father has been murdered.
The opening allows the reader to understand that Ella is a strong female with top notch investigative skills. She is a loner, a Navajo who is has moved away from the Navajo Nation. She prefers following protocols, but is willing to risk her life if necessary. Returning to the reservation her life becomes more complex. She is challenged by her brother, a native shaman, to embrace the old ways those that bring a mythic life to the fore front. She is also encouraged by her mother who also honors the traditional ways of the people. Ultimately she learns that she must embrace both sides Progressive, and Traditional to be able to solve her father's murder.
Blackening Song is now 25 years old. The plot and setting are so timeless that it seldom feels dated.
The villains are powerful, and the ending is surprising. This series though not as well known as Tony Hillerman's works is every bit as compelling.
Highly recommended
Book One opens with a tense standoff in an LA coffee shop. A disgruntled job interviewee has returned to demand his 'rights'. He has already discharged his weapon and taken hostages. Ella who was dining in the restaurant ends the confrontation the only possible way, by killing the assailant. At the end of this long, bone weary day filled with conversations with both the LA police and her fellow F.B.I. colleagues she receives a phone call advising her that her father has been murdered.
The opening allows the reader to understand that Ella is a strong female with top notch investigative skills. She is a loner, a Navajo who is has moved away from the Navajo Nation. She prefers following protocols, but is willing to risk her life if necessary. Returning to the reservation her life becomes more complex. She is challenged by her brother, a native shaman, to embrace the old ways those that bring a mythic life to the fore front. She is also encouraged by her mother who also honors the traditional ways of the people. Ultimately she learns that she must embrace both sides Progressive, and Traditional to be able to solve her father's murder.
Blackening Song is now 25 years old. The plot and setting are so timeless that it seldom feels dated.
The villains are powerful, and the ending is surprising. This series though not as well known as Tony Hillerman's works is every bit as compelling.
Highly recommended
October 10, 2020
After I raved about Rebecca Roanhorse's Trail of Lightening (which she then read and loved) one of our local librarians asked whether I'd read any of the Ella Clah mysteries. I thought I had, years ago -- when I say years, I mean while I was still working at Murder Ink so we're talking decades -- but I couldn't remember anything about them. So I did what I've learned is a wise thing and accepted the librarian's recommendation and borrowed Blackening Song. I am so very glad I did!
Looking at Goodreads, it looks like I started with the third book in the series -- never a good idea -- and only read the third and fourth books. Given the events in Blackening Song and Goodreads' description of those two books, I'm not surprised that I didn't love them -- I didn't know about significant events that undoubtedly were background for their plots. While I found some of Blackening awkward, I'm not sure whether that was because of the writing or the mindset of Ella herself. I'm hoping to discover, in future books -- and yes, I will be reading more in this series -- that it's about Ella. I mostly like her and the other main characters and very much want to find out how the events from the first book play out in the future.
Yay! Another author/pair of authors to read! I can stop worrying that I'll run out of books that I'll like!
Looking at Goodreads, it looks like I started with the third book in the series -- never a good idea -- and only read the third and fourth books. Given the events in Blackening Song and Goodreads' description of those two books, I'm not surprised that I didn't love them -- I didn't know about significant events that undoubtedly were background for their plots. While I found some of Blackening awkward, I'm not sure whether that was because of the writing or the mindset of Ella herself. I'm hoping to discover, in future books -- and yes, I will be reading more in this series -- that it's about Ella. I mostly like her and the other main characters and very much want to find out how the events from the first book play out in the future.
Yay! Another author/pair of authors to read! I can stop worrying that I'll run out of books that I'll like!
October 15, 2023
I found this book through a TBR game prompt to read something by either a Cuban author or set in Cuba. I want something a little more in my comfort zone, and while it says Aimée is originally from Cuba her and her husband have been in the Southwest United States for 20+ years. This story being, both, set in the Southwest and featuring Native American culture was definitely one I thought I would enjoy. I am so happy I did. There was one part towards the beginning that was a viewpoint from a potential love interest that was extremely weird and out of place. It also didn't fit with that character later on. The beginning itself was also unnecessary to the story, and I wish it had been left out. Once the story hit its stride, it was very engaging. Normally, I have an idea of who it might have been, but in this case, I didn't have a clue until the first twist. I also really enjoyed that they didn't add a lot of unnecessary characters to try to misdirect you. The main character being stuck between traditional Navajo beliefs and the modern world was a really interesting part of the plot, and I enjoyed how we learned more about the tribe's history as she did. Overall, it was a solid start to the series, and I look forward to reading more.
December 29, 2021
Ella Clah was working in Los Angeles when she received word that her father had been murdered. Her training as an FBI agent kicked in but her boss told her she was not allowed to investigate. All Ella could do with her leave of absence was go home to the Navajo Reservation and be with her mother and brother. But her arrival puts Ella in the midst of struggles between Anglo and Navajo religion, FBI protocols and tribal etiquette, and her with own family's past. If she is to have a career, if she is to retain her family ties, and if she is to be a whole person, Ella must resolve more than a murder.
This is the first in the Ella Clah series written by Aimee and David Thurlo and it was published in 1995. While some reviewers suggested the authors offered only a poor imitation of Tony Hillerman, I found the book was not a copycat piece. It had its own perspectives, was more Anglo than Indigenous, and was also an entertaining and quick read. I'll probably look for another of Ella's adventures to see how the authors matured in their story telling.
This is the first in the Ella Clah series written by Aimee and David Thurlo and it was published in 1995. While some reviewers suggested the authors offered only a poor imitation of Tony Hillerman, I found the book was not a copycat piece. It had its own perspectives, was more Anglo than Indigenous, and was also an entertaining and quick read. I'll probably look for another of Ella's adventures to see how the authors matured in their story telling.
August 31, 2021
I was drawn to this book due to the combination of the detective/mystery story, the inclusion of Native American (specifically Navajo) culture, and a strong female protagonist. The beginning of the story was gripping. I was on the edge of my seat as the FBI agent returned home to try to solve the mystery of her father's murder and help protect her brother. She confronts the clash across the disparate beliefs of her family members and her own fears. I felt the story started to get bogged down in the middle, as more characters were introduced and the pace of the plot slowed. Ella Clah was not having much luck as she tried to chase down leads. This is likely pretty realistic, but felt dissatisfying. And I struggled to follow Ella's development as a person. This is probably on me, but I wanted to understand more of what changed, not just be told "She changed."
April 2, 2025
This was an interesting book, the first in a series about an FBI agent that returns to New Mexico because her father has been killed. The book starts off with a bang. Then slows to a crawl while the characters and the scene is set. Ella Clah is caught between the modern world and the ancient traditions of the Navaho tribe. The reader is taken for a ride through unexplainable visions and experiences. Because this book is old, it may be hard to find. But if you decide to read this series, this book will help give you the background needed to understand the other books.
October 30, 2025
Ella Clah is a highly-trained FBI agent who has left the reservation behind. However, when she receives a desperate call from her mother that her father has been murdered, she feels she must return to investigate, even if it jeopardizes her job. She finds the reservation riven by conflict between the traditionalists and the modernists who want to build a college and a Christian church. The author is quite knowledgeable about Navajo culture and rituals and the story walks a fine line with cultural appropriation .
March 14, 2017
As a long-time fan of Tony Hillerman, I was interested in this series set on the Navajo reservation and surrounding area. It doesn't have the grace of the Hillerman novels which I find almost mesmerizing, but it is a good tale, competently told. The main character was a little too one-pointed, I thought, and the book slowed down for me in the middle - I actually skipped some pages -- but all in all I am interested to see where the next book in the series leads.
May 6, 2019
I’ve loved Tony and Anne Hillermans books about the southwest and the Navajo reservation so I was excited to find this older series featuring Ella Clah. I enjoyed this first book, watching Ella make the transition from FBI back to her Navajo roots as she returns home to help her family after her fathers murder. I’m looking forward to the next 10 books - thanks to public libraries!
February 15, 2022
While it was interesting learning about different Navajo customs and traditions, this book felt laden with negativity to me, which made it a bit of a slog to read. I liked the character of Rose the best. She was wise, but you needed to really consider what she was saying to find the true meaning. I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews