Changing Woman

Ella Clah #7

by Aimée Thurlo, David Thurlo

In the Navajo tradition, Changing Woman represents life springing up from nothing. She is the ultimate hope of the world. She is Woman, who embodies all the mysteries of life.

Changing Woman

Change surrounds Navajo Police Special Investigator Ella Clah. The father of her child seems ready to be more of a father, though it will alter the rhythm of all their lives and may hurt his political career. Ella’s mother, Rose, has rediscovered her passion for politics and struggles to guide her people on the best way to walk in beauty.

The Dineh seem to be ready to bring casino gambling to the Rez, despite the risk that the character of the Navajo Nation will be forever altered. Speaking eloquently against the proposal, Rose becomes a national celebrity.

Ella has no time to think about how these changes will affect her and her two-year-old daughter. The Navajo Police Force is combating an increasingly violent wave of vandalism, always two steps behind despite their best efforts.

Events come to a head with the terrorist takeover of a coal mine and power plant on the Reservation. Ella must keep the terrorists from blowing up the power plant—but how can she focus on being a cop when her daughter is missing?

Genres: Mystery, Native American, Fiction, Westerns

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

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

[Nancy Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok I am finally completely hooked. There are some devices this author(s) use that irritate me but over all it is a good story and I like the way it is going. I especially like the gathering cast of characters!

[Terzah Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ella Clah series is one of my favorite, only surpassed by Tony Hillerman and Margaret Coel. In this story Ella goes up against members of a native American/indian Mafia syndicate interested in getting gaming on the Navajo Reservation. The story starts out with someone taking a shot at Ella using a 50-calibre rifle, which is hard to imagine anyone lifting, much less shooting.

Justine is back (missing her finger) and dating Wilson. Harry is back with a romantic interest in Ella, although I agree with other reviewers that it's about time for Ella to have a romance that lasts more than a few days. In this book the unknown members of the Mafia are using brutal tactics to convince councilmembers to vote for gaming. Vandalism throughout the reserve makes the BIA look bad and shines a poor light on Big Ed; it's no coincidence that someone is gunning for his job. The violence escalates to murder and other very serious crimes. Ella's daughter is placed in danger, although not kidnapped as mentioned by others.

I liked the interaction (sometimes tense) between Ella and her mother Rose, who becomes an anti-gaming advocate. I also like her interactions with the father of her child, Kevin, her brother and her fellow cops. As in other books, things move a bit fast to be believable, but this one isn't as farfetched as some of the others. The bad guy (at least one of them) is a real surprise and makes for great reading.

[Norma Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

#7 in the Ella Clah series finds Ella and her team busier than ever with lots of change as Ella now has a daughter by a rising star in the political world and how the involved Clans perceive such a happening since they are not married. Her mother, meanwhile has a love interest beyond politics she supports as she finds her role expanding as a voice of the old ways of Walking in Beauty over a political "hot potato" that could make or break the tribe. Meanwhile, a power plant business that has contracted with the Rez and is on their property is having issues with Navajo and Anglo workers at odds with each other.

Quick and easy reading with some repetition with each successive book, allowing each to stand alone if you wish to just read a book or two in the series.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and suspense-filled police procedural with a twist: it takes place on the Navaho reservation in New Mexico. Well constructed, nice writing, interesting characters, and a solid plot made for a good read. It also opened my eyes to many Navajo beliefs, the existence of traditional and modern Navajos and how they’re One people, even when they’re in conflict with one another. I’ll surely read more if the books in this series.

[Bj Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

changing woman is another of my favorites in the Ella Clah series. In the dangers to her tribe, her family and herself, she manages to find solutions to finding the "bad guys" and balance in her life. A thrilling ride to the conclusion to this one.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story brings the people of the Dineh to life, with Ella Clah, a detective, trying to juggle her job, which also happens to be her passion, and her family, which includes her widowed mother, young daughter, and the father of the child.

[Patty Mora · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the more exciting Ella Clah novels that I've read. A fast read, and a surprising ending.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ella Clah and this whole series, altho' it wouldn't be bad for her to get a love interest that lasted at some point--she is a great Native American and the mysteries are very good

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good fun read about Indian gambling casinos, motherhood vs career, as Ella, Rose, and Dawn mature, each in her own way.

[Sarah Haman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another interesting mystery that takes place on Clah's Navaho nation.

[Jewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great rad that makes you wonder if the Navajo nation will ever find peace.

[Kathy Schouten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another action packed book that takes place on the Navajo reservation. The characters feel like bold friends and I’m learning more about the culture and traditions with every book I read.

[Teresa Mayfield-Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining and close to home. Maybe too much packed into the last 3 chapters, but still a nice read. I’d probably like it more if I had read the previous books.

[Beth Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella Clah is a Navajo detective on the Navajo reservation in Arizona/New Mexico. I really enjoyed this novel. Many such stories centered on Navajo reservation are often times so focused on native traditions and beliefs that it is sometimes hard to figure out what the plot is or what is motivating the characters. This book is not that way. It actually still keeps native beliefs in tact but doesn't try to get into it so deeply that the reader is lost. The main story here deals with Ella investigating a series of vandalism, thefts, and finally a sniper attempt on her life. All of the rash of crimes seems to be related to a local effort to bring a casino to the reservation. There are strong feelings on both sides. Is someone so opposed they'll do anything to stop it? Or do they really want the casino to come to bring much needed income and employment, that they will try to stop those who oppose? A very good book.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having visited the Navajo nation and learned about Hogans and the Dineh, I really enjoyed that aspect of this book. I enjoyed the main character who is a female Navajo police officer. It's interesting to see here deal with both the traditionalist trying to keep things as they have always been and not wanting to lose their uniqueness, and also living a more modern or "anglo" life.
The drama itself kept my interest and I look forward to reading another book in this series.
I love this quote from the book..."a smile from a politician served the same function as the noisy tail of a rattlesnake."

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cannot wait to read the next book!

[Camilla Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the author; another great book in this series