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Ella Clah #6
Red Mesa
Navajo Police Special Investigator Ella Clah is on the run. Justine, Ella's cousin and fellow officer, disappeared after the two women argued publicly over Justine's new boyfriend. Human bones are discovered at the spot where the younger woman had told her family she and Ella were to meet late one night. Suddenly Ella Clah, cop, is Ella Clah, murder suspect.
Stunned by Justine's death, Ella has no time to mourn. Her former allies in the Navajo Police Department and the FBI are hot on her trail, using techniques she taught them to hunt her down. Ella has to find the real killers--and fast--before the Dineh act on a growing belief that Ella's mother, brother, and young daughter have become evil.
Stunned by Justine's death, Ella has no time to mourn. Her former allies in the Navajo Police Department and the FBI are hot on her trail, using techniques she taught them to hunt her down. Ella has to find the real killers--and fast--before the Dineh act on a growing belief that Ella's mother, brother, and young daughter have become evil.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
17 people are currently reading
228 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 38 reviews
January 5, 2016
Another good read in Aimee Thurlo's Ella Clah mystery series. I like the setting of these books--the southwest, the main character Ella and the recurring characters who add depth to the books, and the mysteries. I find the cultural info about the Navajos to be interesting as well as intriguing. I would recommend this series but it should be read starting with the first book.
October 15, 2016
Justine is dead--or is she? Ella killed her--or did she??? So many tangles and intrigue--and more to come!
March 2, 2022
Excellent book i have read all of the books,I am starting on rereading the series again usually I don't do that. I would give them a 10.
December 22, 2019
This is one of the early books in the Ella Clah series (#6) and is very well done. I liked this one much better than the last one, which was a bit over the top. In this one, Ella tries to be a good cop and a good mother, and has more of a balanced feel of why they are both improtant. her brother a hatali, plays a more central role in this book as well, and the role of the traditionalist way of life and the balance/harmony of all things plays a large role in the novel as well. While there is a lot of action, there is also time for contemplation and reasoning out what is going on.
The story involves Ella being framed for the murder of her cousin Justine. Ella has to use much of her strength and intuition to figure out who has committed the crime. While I think you can figure out "who done it" relatively quickly, the extent of the plotting and deception is impressive and (as in many of her books) Ella has trouble gathering evidence until she is given a break by one of the accomplises. This appears to be the M.O. of these books; struggle, get shot at, survive bad guys trying to run you off the road, get nowhere until about 75% of the way through the book, then a big break happens.
In this book there is the added tension of FBI agents having to try to prove she is guilty, when none of them believe that she is. There is a new FBI agent that I thought was almost certainly one of the bad guys, but....well you'll have to read if for yourself.
This book was great fun to read and up to the standards of the first in the series, which was amazing.
The story involves Ella being framed for the murder of her cousin Justine. Ella has to use much of her strength and intuition to figure out who has committed the crime. While I think you can figure out "who done it" relatively quickly, the extent of the plotting and deception is impressive and (as in many of her books) Ella has trouble gathering evidence until she is given a break by one of the accomplises. This appears to be the M.O. of these books; struggle, get shot at, survive bad guys trying to run you off the road, get nowhere until about 75% of the way through the book, then a big break happens.
In this book there is the added tension of FBI agents having to try to prove she is guilty, when none of them believe that she is. There is a new FBI agent that I thought was almost certainly one of the bad guys, but....well you'll have to read if for yourself.
This book was great fun to read and up to the standards of the first in the series, which was amazing.
September 7, 2023
This early Ella Clah novel gives a superb look at the struggles of juggling traditional and modern ways by a police officer/mother on the Navajo reservation. I was reading this at the time I traveled to the Four Corners through Farmington and Shiprock and noticed how well the book maintained a sense of place. Ella’s friend, partner and cousin Justine goes missing and clues indicate she’s dead. The only way Ella can prove her own innocence is to find out what happened but factions are working to convict her of a crime. Some of her choices were questionable to me, but her life is so different from mine that I accepted them. All of the characters are believable, but especially Ella, her mother who’s trying to take care of Ella’s toddler daughter as she ages, and the little girl herself.
October 25, 2017
A series with Navajo policewoman, Ella Clah. Ella's cousin, Justine, goes missing and is assumed dead. Bones and a finger are found. Ella investigates and it it beginning to look like she is the murderer. She is in trouble with some of the tribe who believe she has turned to evil. She has to untangle who framed her & why, and at the same time protect her mother and daughter.
August 7, 2023
My first book in this series. I sure enjoyed it. Lots of things happening. Lots of conflicts. Some resolved, sounds like some go on forever. I'm looking forward to reading more in any order I can get them.
November 13, 2019
Really liked it.
January 14, 2020
Meh. Considered putting it away halfway thru.
It was freebie, so no loss.
It was freebie, so no loss.
March 6, 2025
I hoped for more but often felt bogged down in family detail and drama
June 6, 2015
Red Mesa is #6 in a series of mysteries featuring Ella Clah, a special investigator in the Navajo Tribal Police. In this volume, Ella stands accused of murdering and dismembering her own second cousin, officer Justine Goodluck. With indefatigable effort, assistance from loyal brothers and sisters in arms, and clues from an unknown informant, she uncovers the truth.
I do not know enough about Navajo culture and politics to say whether they are portrayed accurately in this book. In chapter 3, when information about Ella's "dark legacy" is introduced, and at other points in the book where this "part myth, part history, and part legend" is discussed, one may wonder if Navajos as a group are being depicted as unintelligent gossipers, for we are told that "many in the tribe will never accept" Ella and her family simply because of their descent from an incestuous relationship between a man and woman of the same clan (pg. 25-26). But otherwise, various "traditionalist" characters are portrayed as caring, knowledgeable, and unique persons. For example, Rose is the dedicated and expert grandmother who raises Ella's daughter. While she often argues with Ella about the proper way to parent Dawn, Ella often accepts her guidance and the baby is happier and healthier because of it. Brother Clifford, who supplies healing ceremonies and medicines within the community, assists Ella to the extent that he can in her detective work and in evading her manhunt. These two characters are not simplistically portrayed in a "Native-affirmative" light, however. Rose is at times stubborn, refusing to allow much-needed assistance (pgs. 50-52). Ella and Rose both acknowledge that Clifford is not spending enough time with his wife and son, thus causing significant strain in his marriage (pg. 106). For those who are interested in contemporary American Indian life, there are glimpses of longstanding conflict between Hopis and Navajos (pg. 37), the complexities of police jurisdiction on reservations (pg. 66-68), the difficulty of "walking the line" between tradition and modernity (pg. 148), social problems such as alcoholism, fetal alcohol syndrome, and gambling addiction (pg. 157-161 and 201-205), the importance of learning language toward molding Native identities (pg. 222-225), and other timely issues. Personally, I wish these topics were more fully developed and integral to the narrative, but perhaps this is too much to expect of an action-oriented page-turner like this one.
Many reviewers compare Aimee and David Thurlo to Tony Hillerman, whose detective novels also feature Navajo protagonists. Though I have only read one book from each, I prefer the Thurlos' work because of the complex relationships Ella shares with family and community members. I am not a heavy reader of mysteries, but for me it is refreshing to find a single, working mother at the center of a book. I look forward to more.
I do not know enough about Navajo culture and politics to say whether they are portrayed accurately in this book. In chapter 3, when information about Ella's "dark legacy" is introduced, and at other points in the book where this "part myth, part history, and part legend" is discussed, one may wonder if Navajos as a group are being depicted as unintelligent gossipers, for we are told that "many in the tribe will never accept" Ella and her family simply because of their descent from an incestuous relationship between a man and woman of the same clan (pg. 25-26). But otherwise, various "traditionalist" characters are portrayed as caring, knowledgeable, and unique persons. For example, Rose is the dedicated and expert grandmother who raises Ella's daughter. While she often argues with Ella about the proper way to parent Dawn, Ella often accepts her guidance and the baby is happier and healthier because of it. Brother Clifford, who supplies healing ceremonies and medicines within the community, assists Ella to the extent that he can in her detective work and in evading her manhunt. These two characters are not simplistically portrayed in a "Native-affirmative" light, however. Rose is at times stubborn, refusing to allow much-needed assistance (pgs. 50-52). Ella and Rose both acknowledge that Clifford is not spending enough time with his wife and son, thus causing significant strain in his marriage (pg. 106). For those who are interested in contemporary American Indian life, there are glimpses of longstanding conflict between Hopis and Navajos (pg. 37), the complexities of police jurisdiction on reservations (pg. 66-68), the difficulty of "walking the line" between tradition and modernity (pg. 148), social problems such as alcoholism, fetal alcohol syndrome, and gambling addiction (pg. 157-161 and 201-205), the importance of learning language toward molding Native identities (pg. 222-225), and other timely issues. Personally, I wish these topics were more fully developed and integral to the narrative, but perhaps this is too much to expect of an action-oriented page-turner like this one.
Many reviewers compare Aimee and David Thurlo to Tony Hillerman, whose detective novels also feature Navajo protagonists. Though I have only read one book from each, I prefer the Thurlos' work because of the complex relationships Ella shares with family and community members. I am not a heavy reader of mysteries, but for me it is refreshing to find a single, working mother at the center of a book. I look forward to more.
February 11, 2017
In this continuation of the Ella Clah series, the department itself, but especially Ella, is under attack by some devious personage who has committed loathsome deeds in the cover of darkness. Now Ella is fighting not only for justice but for her own freedom, and for once very little mention is made of skinwalkers.
The tight knit groups of family and friends make this a compelling read, and the background and history of The People and especially of Ella's family ties it all together, in a weave that makes this a powerful book.
The tight knit groups of family and friends make this a compelling read, and the background and history of The People and especially of Ella's family ties it all together, in a weave that makes this a powerful book.
December 1, 2015
Pretty much a Hillerman knockoff. A marginally interesting story, but Waaaaayy too many tense rides on dirt roads in the dark to get away from a pursuer and quick pull offs to hide. The main character is a stressed out female tribal cop and mother of a toddler who seems to do nothing but fall asleep. Worst of all, a pair of twins show up in the penultimate chapter as the obvious suspects whom we had no inkling as they have never been mentioned.
April 16, 2012
This is a really gripping novel in the Ella Clah series. Accused of murdering her second cousin and partner in the Special Investigator Unit of the Navajo police, Ella struggles to solve the Red Mesa mystery. With further developments in her life and her mother's, Ella strives to walk in beauty.
November 8, 2012
This has to be one of the worst books I've read in a very long time. Incredibly boring, predictable, and the main character a total nothing, I would not wast my time on any other books by the Thurlos. I only finished it because its was this months mystery book club book.
August 14, 2013
One of the best in the series, I think. I'd recommend the Ella Clah books to anyone that likes the Tony Hillerman books.
It's definitely better to read the books in this series in order. I started with one of the later books and went back to start with the first.
It's definitely better to read the books in this series in order. I started with one of the later books and went back to start with the first.
March 19, 2014
Regarding radio talk shows
Page 112
He sure gets people talking about his radio show, and I guess that makes his advertisers happy. Freedom of speech can can be an impressive moneymaker even in misguided hands.
Page 112
He sure gets people talking about his radio show, and I guess that makes his advertisers happy. Freedom of speech can can be an impressive moneymaker even in misguided hands.
May 30, 2015
Good mystery
Always enjoy Ella Clah stories. They show the many issues related to struggles between her life as a police officer and the traditional life of the culture of the people she strives to protect. Conflicts are everywhere she turns.
Always enjoy Ella Clah stories. They show the many issues related to struggles between her life as a police officer and the traditional life of the culture of the people she strives to protect. Conflicts are everywhere she turns.
March 26, 2008
This book barely qualifies as being about Navajos. I found it to be inauthentic.
Read
April 14, 2008Mystery
July 31, 2009
This one was really exciting.
January 3, 2010
I really enjoyed this book and I believe I will like the cast of characters in the Ella Clah books. I plan on going back and reading the earlier books.
July 7, 2011
Fun read. Good info on Navajo Traditionalist vs Modernist Controversy.
July 29, 2011
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
January 17, 2012
Interesting.
October 7, 2012
love elah clah series and her mom
November 16, 2012
Very poor mystery, weak plot, not well defined charachters. The book does give some insights into Navajo life, but there are many authors out there that do a better job.
Read
December 14, 2012pretty good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews