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Ella Clah #15
Neverending Snake
When Never-ending-snake begins, Navajo Police Special Investigator Ella Clah is returning from Washington, DC, where she was offered a lucrative job with a private security firm. Taking the job would mean uprooting her daughter, but it might give the young teen opportunities she'd never see on the Reservation.
As Ella and her companions deplane, gunfire sends them diving for cover. When the shooting stops, a Navajo war hero has been mortally wounded―but was alternative fuel lobbyist Nelson Lonewolf the intended victim? Or was the gunman aiming for powerful tribal attorney Kevin Tolino? Or for Ella herself?
Ella struggles to find the killers while helping the tribe find a way to move forward with the alternative-fuel project and protecting her family―and Kevin, her daughter's father.
Never-ending-snake , a tense police procedural, is part of the Ella Clah mystery series.
As Ella and her companions deplane, gunfire sends them diving for cover. When the shooting stops, a Navajo war hero has been mortally wounded―but was alternative fuel lobbyist Nelson Lonewolf the intended victim? Or was the gunman aiming for powerful tribal attorney Kevin Tolino? Or for Ella herself?
Ella struggles to find the killers while helping the tribe find a way to move forward with the alternative-fuel project and protecting her family―and Kevin, her daughter's father.
Never-ending-snake , a tense police procedural, is part of the Ella Clah mystery series.
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2010
About the author
Aimée Thurlo
99 books152 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 31 reviews
November 2, 2010
Fans of Hillerman's Leaphorn & Chee novels as well as those who like Coel's Wind River Reservation mysteries should like the Thurlo's mysteries set in the Dinetah too....
September 24, 2023
I was drawn to the Ella Clah mysteries because of Tony Hillerman's novels, similarly set on the Navajo reservation and featuring Navajo Tribal Police officers. Over the years, I have read three of the Ella Clah books, and on finishing this, I don't think I'll look for another.
Some of the things I loved in Hillerman's writing - the descriptions of the landscape and sky and the insights into Navajo belief and ritual - get only a nod in this book. Ella's Navajo identity is central to her sense of self, and there are a few Navajo words sprinkled throughout the book and references to some cultural values and practices, but neither of these aspects of the book are as strong as in the Hillerman novels.
The pace drags, in part because of the awkward writing, which often uses 10 words where 4 or 5 would do. I found myself mentally editing out phrases and sentences to get a taste of what the book could have been if written more crisply and tautly. The authors let us know every cup of coffee Ella drinks, and whether it is too weak, too cold, or just right. There is a lot of tell-don't-show. I lost interest in the mystery and then found the final confrontation and reveal a bit rushed and confusing.
Finally, there's Ella herself. I am not drawn to her; she is a bit too perfect, she provides multiple unnecessary explanations - unnecessary for the character to whom she's speaking as well as for the reader - and in general seems a bit full of herself. (OTOH, her self-confidence is a great quality in a world where women are often encouraged to be self-effacing!)
I would have enjoyed this more had it been more tightly written and shorter!
Some of the things I loved in Hillerman's writing - the descriptions of the landscape and sky and the insights into Navajo belief and ritual - get only a nod in this book. Ella's Navajo identity is central to her sense of self, and there are a few Navajo words sprinkled throughout the book and references to some cultural values and practices, but neither of these aspects of the book are as strong as in the Hillerman novels.
The pace drags, in part because of the awkward writing, which often uses 10 words where 4 or 5 would do. I found myself mentally editing out phrases and sentences to get a taste of what the book could have been if written more crisply and tautly. The authors let us know every cup of coffee Ella drinks, and whether it is too weak, too cold, or just right. There is a lot of tell-don't-show. I lost interest in the mystery and then found the final confrontation and reveal a bit rushed and confusing.
Finally, there's Ella herself. I am not drawn to her; she is a bit too perfect, she provides multiple unnecessary explanations - unnecessary for the character to whom she's speaking as well as for the reader - and in general seems a bit full of herself. (OTOH, her self-confidence is a great quality in a world where women are often encouraged to be self-effacing!)
I would have enjoyed this more had it been more tightly written and shorter!
January 24, 2019
I enjoyed Book 15 of the Ella Clah series. Aimee Thurlo is an author who is very adept at the police procedural. The story is tight and well written. The author can be favorably compared to Tony or Anne Hillerman or to Margaret Coel. The book is part of a serial but can be read as a stand alone book. Some of the characters in the book, such as the gun store owner, could have been easily stereotyped as nutjobs to please the masses. Thurlo did not do this.
I recommend this book to all fans of the series, and to anyone looking for a good, quick mystery.
I recommend this book to all fans of the series, and to anyone looking for a good, quick mystery.
March 4, 2026
interesting story and characters
Good story and interesting also - never a dull moment. I know little about the life on the “Rez” so this filled me in one some of their life besides the main story. A very good read
Good story and interesting also - never a dull moment. I know little about the life on the “Rez” so this filled me in one some of their life besides the main story. A very good read
December 18, 2017
Quick mystery genre read set in New Mexico and Navajo Nation - Shiprock, Farmington and Albuquerque feature in this title.
September 8, 2020
This is book 15 of the series and it still keeps my interest. The story was good, lots of details to keep straight. I like all the main characters and they are 3 dimensional.
February 10, 2021
Finished this a while ago! Love reading these! Ella Clah is a wonderful character. Great writing ! Love following the culture !
August 8, 2023
Another good one. A lot of personal stuff I'll need to find out about as I continue this series. This was very twisting with suspects.
December 5, 2019
Another AWESOME Ella Clah Story!
I've been reading this whole series in order, and now that I'm nearing the end (only two books left), I'm really sad. I definitely will miss Ella, Dawn, Rose and all the rest of her family and friends! I wish David Thurlo would pick up the saga again and continue it! I would absolutely be very happy if he did!
I've been reading this whole series in order, and now that I'm nearing the end (only two books left), I'm really sad. I definitely will miss Ella, Dawn, Rose and all the rest of her family and friends! I wish David Thurlo would pick up the saga again and continue it! I would absolutely be very happy if he did!
December 24, 2011
As a little Mexican-American girl growing up in Pueblo, I read shelves and shelves of books. Mysteries, classics, biographies and encyclopedias—I read everything I could find. I never, however, read a book about a little Mexican-American girl. That bit of personal history stayed with me, and now I’m particularly cognizant of books that are culturally diverse. I make an effort to seek out books that include cultures different from my own.
That’s why I was excited to receive “Never-Ending-Snake” from the husband and wife writing team of Aimée and David Thurlo. The book is number sixteen in the police procedural series starring Special Investigator Ella Clah. Clah is a member of the Navajo Tribal Police, and the series is set on a reservation.
Being a police procedural, the writing is tight and unglamorous. It attempts to solve a crime as a true police force might investigate it. Being unfamiliar with police procedures, I’m not sure how well “Snake” accomplishes that feat. The book does, however, give an authentic-feeling glimpse into tribal life.
The work’s authenticity is due to David Thurlo’s history. He grew up on a Navajo reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico. According to the couple’s web site, David Thurlo’s father worked for the Bureau of Mines at the Navajo Helium Plant. David graduated from Shiprock High School and the University of New Mexico. He met Aimée during his senior year at UNM, and the writing team was born. As a team and separately, the couple has written more than seventy novels in a variety of genres. And their fans are the happier for it.
“Snake” was my first Thurlo read. The book begins with Clah landing at the reservation’s small airport. She’s returning from Washington D.C., where she’s been offered a job. Two other tribal members are also returning to the reservation. That’s why it’s difficult to determine the target, when men open fire on Clah and her travelling companions at the airport.
The rest of the book follows Clah as she and her partners investigate various leads. Entwined in the investigation is the subplot of Clah’s job offer. The position would provide more stability for her tween daughter. However, Clah appreciates the comfort and familiarity of reservation life.
In the end, of course, the criminals are found, and Clah chooses to stay on the reservation. That’s a good thing, as I look forward to learning more about Navajo life in subsequent Clah books.
That’s why I was excited to receive “Never-Ending-Snake” from the husband and wife writing team of Aimée and David Thurlo. The book is number sixteen in the police procedural series starring Special Investigator Ella Clah. Clah is a member of the Navajo Tribal Police, and the series is set on a reservation.
Being a police procedural, the writing is tight and unglamorous. It attempts to solve a crime as a true police force might investigate it. Being unfamiliar with police procedures, I’m not sure how well “Snake” accomplishes that feat. The book does, however, give an authentic-feeling glimpse into tribal life.
The work’s authenticity is due to David Thurlo’s history. He grew up on a Navajo reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico. According to the couple’s web site, David Thurlo’s father worked for the Bureau of Mines at the Navajo Helium Plant. David graduated from Shiprock High School and the University of New Mexico. He met Aimée during his senior year at UNM, and the writing team was born. As a team and separately, the couple has written more than seventy novels in a variety of genres. And their fans are the happier for it.
“Snake” was my first Thurlo read. The book begins with Clah landing at the reservation’s small airport. She’s returning from Washington D.C., where she’s been offered a job. Two other tribal members are also returning to the reservation. That’s why it’s difficult to determine the target, when men open fire on Clah and her travelling companions at the airport.
The rest of the book follows Clah as she and her partners investigate various leads. Entwined in the investigation is the subplot of Clah’s job offer. The position would provide more stability for her tween daughter. However, Clah appreciates the comfort and familiarity of reservation life.
In the end, of course, the criminals are found, and Clah chooses to stay on the reservation. That’s a good thing, as I look forward to learning more about Navajo life in subsequent Clah books.
September 3, 2013
Picked up at the library's book sale, I bought this because of the Southwest flavor it promised, and because the protagonist was different, and likely to be a good role model: female, Navajo Nation, and a Tribal Investigative officer -- plus, plus, plus! The authors are a couple who live in the vicinity, so I figured their descriptions of local scenery and cultural life would have certain amount of "street cred".
And even though this was novel #15 in a series starring the protagonist (S.I. Ella Clah), which means there is a following here somewhere of some strength, I still did not expect much more than a quickie read picked up at the airport for light reading, designed to pass the time in an itty bitty seat, strapped in tight.
It was light, in that it was easy to read, I didn't feel too left out for not having read the first fourteen books, and being a crime novel, did not get dragged down by lengthy, poetic descriptions of people or places, or anything else. My expectations were met, which was pleasant, and the knowledge the authors have about Navajo culture offered up surprising notes of insight and information that gave this reader a few moments of, "I didn't know that".
There are a few times that the dialogue drags, but there are certain things that always must be said when cops are discussing perps and vics, and a few times when the plot was a little too obvious. I am not certain that I would go so far as to say that I would go read all the other books from the beginning, but if another in the series happens to show up at the library sale, I might pick it up and bring it home.
And even though this was novel #15 in a series starring the protagonist (S.I. Ella Clah), which means there is a following here somewhere of some strength, I still did not expect much more than a quickie read picked up at the airport for light reading, designed to pass the time in an itty bitty seat, strapped in tight.
It was light, in that it was easy to read, I didn't feel too left out for not having read the first fourteen books, and being a crime novel, did not get dragged down by lengthy, poetic descriptions of people or places, or anything else. My expectations were met, which was pleasant, and the knowledge the authors have about Navajo culture offered up surprising notes of insight and information that gave this reader a few moments of, "I didn't know that".
There are a few times that the dialogue drags, but there are certain things that always must be said when cops are discussing perps and vics, and a few times when the plot was a little too obvious. I am not certain that I would go so far as to say that I would go read all the other books from the beginning, but if another in the series happens to show up at the library sale, I might pick it up and bring it home.
September 17, 2010
Ella Clah is returning home from a trip to Washington where she was looking at a new job offer. Traveling with her ex husband and a war hero they are met at the small airport by a pair of gunman. Ella is slightly wounded and the other 3 more seriously wounded. In trying to find the shooters Ella and the rest of the force along with FBI agent Blalock have to contend with the investigation of the local Casino management that is under investigation as well as the battle between a local family and the tribe over tribal lands that would be the site of a proposed growing area for tumbleweed to be used for bio fuel. There is also the continuing friction between Traditionalists and moderns. Ella is also dealing with her daughter Dawn who wants to spend time with her father and with the offer of the Washington job offer. Its another good mystery in the mode of Hillerman's books with a large dose of Navajo culture mixed in.
August 16, 2012
Ella Clah, member of the Navajo Nation and special investigator for the Tribal Police, has a very personal case when two gunmen ambush her; attorney Kevin Tolino, the father of her 11-year-old daughter; and war hero and lobbyist Adam Longwolf. Ella has just returned from Washington, D.C., where she has been offered a job. So as well as investigating a complicated puzzle, she must make a decision about where she wants to raise her daughter. One of the obvious suspects is the manager of a casino that has far from unanimous tribal support. Another path of the investigation leads her to a project for using land on the reservation for growing tumbleweeds as an alternative fuel source (an idea that boggled my mind). The plot is intriguing and involves equally complex character development. Only the ending was a bit of a let-down.
February 23, 2012
I have read most of this authors' books. I enjoy the police and tribal interaction as a crime is committed and many different characters interact to find the truth and solve the crime. This is part of s series- I enjoy following a group of characters "grow up"- kind of like a family.
This one rockets off with a shooting at the airport of well known Navajo tribal members. As the tribal police attempt to sort out the crime, more and more leads branch off. It is like a never ending snake. Who was the target of the attack? Why were they atacked? Is it related to the casino, the tumble weed oil project or an angry family member who was convicted of a crime?
At 384 pages, it kept me entertained and engaged in the story.
This one rockets off with a shooting at the airport of well known Navajo tribal members. As the tribal police attempt to sort out the crime, more and more leads branch off. It is like a never ending snake. Who was the target of the attack? Why were they atacked? Is it related to the casino, the tumble weed oil project or an angry family member who was convicted of a crime?
At 384 pages, it kept me entertained and engaged in the story.
January 28, 2017
Tribal Investigator Ella Clah has been presented with what many would see as a prize job offer in DC, but is unsure if the offer reflects her plans for the future. This offer, along with the tribal turbulence due to the rise in power of a grabby policito, permeates the story and to some degree affects Ella's ability to do her job.
As she works through finding the killer of a former member of her own unit, the thought of leaving is there, even when she tries not to think of it. As the story unwinds, this, along with additional offers and rumors and hints of discord jolt the investigators, until the final anti-climactic ending where Ella finally makes a decision.
As she works through finding the killer of a former member of her own unit, the thought of leaving is there, even when she tries not to think of it. As the story unwinds, this, along with additional offers and rumors and hints of discord jolt the investigators, until the final anti-climactic ending where Ella finally makes a decision.
July 3, 2013
Navajo investigator Ella Clah is returning to the reservation after a trip to Washington, DC. On the flight with her is the father of her daughter as well as a war hero. When they land they run into an ambush where both men are seriously wounded. The question arise as to target and motive. Corruption rears it ugly head and Clah must solve the case and try to clear the names of her fellow passengers. I was still a little puzzed at the end.
November 1, 2011
Another great detective story! I enjoy how the various characters have progressed and grown. Their lives are woven together as a beautiful Navajo rug and back story is as enthralling as the current cases that are being solved. Yet it is a wonderful case/mystery to be solved by good solid police work without any supernatural insights or over-the-top technology.
September 16, 2012
As I predicted in the last Ella Clah book, I think the Thurlos should retire this series. It's lost its edge and excitement. Their writing has become dull and the character interactions are no longer present and viable. Justine and Rose, while, present, don't get any characterization at all, anymore. Even Ella acts and does the same things over and over - within the same book!
February 2, 2015
My cousin introduced me to these books and I've always liked them. Got a little behind but I'm catching up again. This was a good read and had a good mystery. Some of the middle was a little long and redundant but I liked the story none the less. The characters are so well written that I feel like I know them personally.
April 14, 2011
This series is compared to Tony Hillerman's mysteries. I didn't think it was as good and probably won't read more. The Navajo Nation background is interesting and makes me think I would like to visit the area some day.
May 8, 2014
Begins with a bang and keeps up a pretty good pace throughout. Some typical story lines appear as usual with Ella Clah (should she leave the res, take a safer, better paying job, decide between suitors, etc. ), but on the whole, it's a good story and a fun read.
July 4, 2014
Another great entry in this series
I gave this book five stars because it was suspenseful, full of rich characters, and fast paced. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good read.
I gave this book five stars because it was suspenseful, full of rich characters, and fast paced. I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good read.
May 4, 2015
Moved along well
Good story with enough of a complex story line to keep you wondering until the last chapter. Better Navajo cultural talk that several others of the same series. Others often repeat themselves several times in one book. Good read
Good story with enough of a complex story line to keep you wondering until the last chapter. Better Navajo cultural talk that several others of the same series. Others often repeat themselves several times in one book. Good read
December 27, 2015
One of the Thurlo's better Ella Clah mysteries in some time, a tightly twisted plot and a good mix a detective work and excitement.
Read
February 17, 2011As usual, the final pages reveal the true culprit. Keeping up with Ella's adventures is always a pleasure.
January 11, 2011
The resolution of the mystery was a bit of an anti-climax and confusing. But the characters and the pacing was good as well as the setting, in the Navajo Nation.
March 31, 2011
If you enjoy stories about Navajo reservation and mysteries, you will enjoy this. unless of course you do not like women solving mysteries.
October 10, 2011
Not as good as the rest of the eries. I had figured out the mystery early on.
April 9, 2012
A good read. Ella has two men in her life but doesn't seem to realize that a third guy really loves her.
December 27, 2015
I liked this book but Ella's life is moving very slowly. I wish things happened faster.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews