Wind Spirit

Ella Clah #9

by Aimée Thurlo, David Thurlo

Before the new nuclear power plant can be built, the power company must help the Navajo reclaim a long-unused uranium mine. The plan is to collapse the old shafts and refill the area with new soil, but the first explosions trigger unplanned subsidiary collapses. Ella Clah, attending the dedication and purification ceremony, acts quickly when she sees a young child sliding into the exposed tunnels. She saves his life but is herself trapped underground.

A few days later, Ella, little the worse for her nightmarish near-death experience, is checking out reports of vandalism and arson. It seems that gun control advocates on the Rez have made some enemies-enemies who soon kill for the first time, when an arson fire claims the life of the wife of a Navajo Councilmember. The home of local radio host George Branch--who may have incited the fatal arson-burns to the ground, destroying all of Branch's personal possessions, including his extensive gun collection.

Ella's investigations are hampered by what happened to her at the uranium site. Both her brother Clifford, a Navajo medicine man, and her cousin and fellow Navajo Police officer, Justine Goodluck, are convinced that Ella wasn't just unconscious when she was rescued. To all appearances, they say, Ella was dead. Justine believes that Ella's survival was a miracle; Clifford says that his hataalii abilities showed her wandering wind spirit the way back to her body. Regardless, traditionalist Navajo are reluctant to be near or even speak to Ella, fearing that since she was dead, she has been contaminated with chindi and become evil. Even some of her fellow police officers are uncomfortable in Ella's presence.

If she cannot interview witnesses and can't work with other cops, what is Ella to do? She finds solace in the unquestioning and unchanging love of her young daughter and the unflagging support of her brother, who nonetheless recommends an older hataalii who may be able to perform a special blessing ceremony for Ella. Still, it's clear that Ella's life has been changed, perhaps permanently, and that she may no longer be an effective police officer.

Genres: Mystery, Native American, Fiction, Native Americans, Suspense, Westerns

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 2004

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 3 out of 5]

This book seemed completely different in tone than the previous ones in the series. Ella lightened up and actually joked a bit. And it wasn't so complicated or difficult to follow which made it a challenge to read. I can't decide if that is an improvement or not.

[Joe Stack · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the previous books in this series, the story is a briskly paced page turner. I think what makes this series interesting is Ella Clah's struggle to find and maintain harmony. She combines Anglo and Navajo ways, and the conflict between these two cultures makes for an interesting landscape to the plots. The cultural conflict is not just between Navajo and non-Navajo. There is also the tension between the traditionalist, modernist, and new-traditionalist Navajos. The cultural information that is woven into the story is what makes this mystery, as with the preceding books (and I expect with the stories that follow), unique, complex, & engrossing. This story can be read out of order as the authors provide sufficient background on previous incidents that the reader is not mystified by what happened in previous stories. However, character development along with a fuller appreciation of Navajo culture is a richer experience by reading this series in order.

[Kathy Schouten · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. I enjoyed this book because it seemed more focused - Ella against a specific few people, not a gang of terrorists. Her near death experience added an interesting aspect, but as much as she wants balance in her life she is finding it’s not easy. Ella is such a believable character - she makes mistakes and admits them.

[Steve Payne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Ella Clah installment. Not too bad but not too great. Dialogue is a bit clunky and forced but the story is basically good. I did not carry for the ending.

[Camilla Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series tremendously. Have always liked reading books by Aimee - for years! She can really weave some complicated plots!

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one. Some questions about Ella's life answered for me. I've almost read them all now. I am enjoying this series.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a step down in the psycho factor from the other books Ive been reading. I found the writing a little slow and stilted. It flowed but maybe I needed to take my reading speed down a notch and engage with reading in a different way. I've read and watched lots on traditional American Indian medicine and now I want to go there and feel the spirit of the place, the writers made that part of it really alive. Its interesting how much of these novels are set in the desert as the places of the spirit, much like in Western Australia. Back to the storyline: a near death experience leads the lead character to reassess her relationship and career to achieve a sense of harmony and unity with her land and her people. But she basically just dumps the raising of her child to her family and ignores the daddy. Maybe its her way, their way? The village raises the child. I guess thats not what is pumelled down the throats of most nuclear families I know. Bearing in mind the character can't cook, loves danger, and can't keep anything alive. And likes getting shot at and shooting at people. I can see a burnout from work and nervous breakdown coming up in the later books! Why doesn't she hook up with her ex? he sounds hot. Anyway....I was sad when it ended. I guess the book was like a poetry of melancholy. Shortsightedness, bigotry, and skin walkers! Bad voodoo, and good medicine creating drama.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Investigator Ella Clah barely survives a fall into a mine shaft when she saves a child, but her people don't see her as a survivor. They see her as a victim, possessed of evil spirits, and this hampers her ability to do her job. The near-death experience from the fall changes her in several way, making her less reckless and more spiritual while at the same time forcing her to work harder on relationships.

A good read, but a little difficult to follow at times.

[Bj Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again the conflict between the Traditionalists and Modernists in the Navajo Nation is at the center of Ella's world. Until she can reestablish balance in her life, her career as a tribal officer is at risk. The development of Rose, her mother, is at work in the course of the story, and with many twists and turns, resolution is attained. Another good read.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Ella Clah mystery on the rez. Liked it better than some of the later ones which I read first. Gives the background of her past relationships which do play an important role in the books.
Enjoy knowing more about the culture.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

recommend for those who love reading about mysteries set on the Navajo Reservation with all their customs and traditions and the contradictions that poses living in the 21st century. great characters, complex. good plot.

[Michael Starsheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in this series

I gave this book five stars because it tells a good, suspenseful story, with an interesting subplot dealing with Navajo spirituality and cultural reactions. I enjoyed the book a lot; it's a good read.

[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 4 out of 5]

These are a pleasant fast read. I'm enjoying the series, particularly the ones that don't have the Skinwalkers in them. It might be good to know how one becomes that evil, but I'd rather not.

[Lisa Corathers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it!

[Kaye Dewar · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not care for this book.

[William Wynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the Navajo culture

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Felt like a tony hillerman rip off, but not anywhere near as good.

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good, I liked how they are tying up loose ends but opening up new ones.

[Jannette Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was my first book by these authors and now I want to find more of their works so I can find out the entire story of Ella Clah!

[Shay Lange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Airplane book. Easy to follow plot. Nice development of Native American belief systems

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella has a near death experience. Interesting

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read, keeps the reader guessing

[Bonnie Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great mystery! kept me guessing up till the very end.