The Shaman's Bones

Starred review from September 1, 1997
When aged Ute shaman Daisy Perika has a vision of blood raining from the sky, it means trouble for her nephew, tribal policeman Charlie Moon, and his friend Scott Parris, police chief of Granite City, Colo. In their third compelling adventure (after The Shaman Sings and The Shaman Laughs), Charlie and Scott find themselves hunting Daisy's nephew, Provo Frank, who passed a bad check in Wyoming and brutally attacked a young cop. The two soon learn that Frank had visited another aging Ute shaman, Blue Cup, who tells them that Frank stole sacred items from their secluded hiding place. When Frank's wife, Mary, is found murdered, the search takes on new urgency. On the run from police and Blue Cup, Frank leaves his little daughter, Sarah, with Daisy. The child may know something, but she turns silent after being kidnapped for a few hours by an unknown man. Doss again creates a fascinating mix of gritty police work, the spiritual traditions of Southwestern Indians and irresistible characters. There's a nice twist on stereotypes, as the white man, Scott, often seems more closely attuned than Charlie to the Ute mysticism that surrounds their investigation. Despite all the spiritual trimmings, however, Doss writes a mystery that can be solved with logic, unless--like Charlie and Scott--the reader misses a critical, cleverly planted clue. A worthy addition to a richly rewarding series.