Dark Reservations

Joe Evers #1

by John Fortunato

Bureau of Indian Affairs special agent Joe Evers still mourns the death of his wife and, after a bungled investigation, faces a forced early retirement. What he needs is a new career, not another case. But when Congressman Arlen Edgerton's bullet-riddled Lincoln turns up on the Navajo reservation—twenty years after he disappeared during a corruption probe—Joe must resurrect his failing career to solve the mysterious cold case.

Joe partners with Navajo tribal officer Randall Bluehorse, his investigation antagonizes potential suspects, including a wealthy art collector, a former president of the Navajo Nation, a powerful U.S. senator, and Edgerton's widow, who is now the front-runner in the New Mexico governor's race. An unexpected romance further complicates both the investigation and Joe's troubled relationship with his daughter, forcing him to confront his emotional demons while on the trail of a ruthless killer.

Joe uncovers a murderous conspiracy that leads him from ancient Anasazi burial grounds on the Navajo Nation to backroom deals in Washington, D.C. Along the way, he delves into the dangerous world of black market trade in Native American artifacts. Can he unravel the mystery and bring the true criminal to justice, or will he become another silenced victim?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Procedural

343 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2015

About the author

John Fortunato was a Captain in the U.S. Army, Military Intelligence, who served at the Pentagon during the early part of the Global War on Terrorism. He is now a Special Agent with the FBI and has earned an MFA in Writing Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University. A native of Philadelphia, he currently lives in Michigan with his wife and three daughters.

Reviews

[Maria V. Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seems I'm on a mystery kick. This book was written by one of the Seton Hill University's MFA program graduates - I believe it was his thesis novel - not sure as I wasn't one of his mentors (although he did take one or two of my classes). This book also won the Tony Hillerman prize. It's a good mystery - obviously John did his research on the Navajo tribe and the BIA - he is an FBI agent so there's that insight.

I liked that the main character was flawed - Joe lost his wife and spent the last two years drinking away his sorrows, but he catches an old missing persons case and it sparks his interest. I also enjoyed the older wiser agent vs. the new young pup that was part of the story.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hoping to close out the year with at least one more 5 star review and this book looked promising when I found it at our local library. The story is about a broken BIA officer that is given a cold case because his superior has no faith that this down and on his way out officer will do crap with it. When the officer begins to dig into his investigation there are going to be a few apple carts that are going to get upset. This book had me hooked with the cold case investigation and the great New Mexico setting. For a first novel the author has done a magnificent job of entertaining this reader.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was interested in Dark Reservations by John Fortunato because it won the Tony Hillerman prize. I knew it would be fabulous and it was!

Dark Reservations revolves around Bureau of Indian Affairs special agent Joe Evers. Evers is damaged. He turned to alcohol after his wife passed away two years and it has had repercussions on his work and personal life. He cannot move past her death. Author Fortunato has written a fascinating character in his portrayal of Evers.

Dark Reservations takes place in the present but centers on a cold case from 20 years ago. Everyone believed that Congressman Edgerton had skipped town with his secretary but when his bullet ridden car is found in the New Mexico desert, the case is reopened. Fortunato does a great job of portraying the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Navajo tribal police system. I felt like I was part of the investigation.

Dark Reservations is a police procedural and mystery. It is well written with well developed characters. I felt like I was right there in New Mexico. I loved the twists at the end. Full of surprises!

Highly recommend Dark Reservations. Don't miss reading this one.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Reservations, a recent winner of the Tony Hillerman Prize for best debut mystery set in the Southwest, is a good mystery within the world of the BIA, the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, and state politics.

Joe Evers is our hero, a widower still mourning the loss of his wife after two years, and has been drinking throughout his loss. The drinking has cost him his job; at the beginning of the book, he is heading toward a forced retirement. He starts working on a new case just as the book begins, mostly because he is the one who is available when the call comes in.

It is a cold case that brings Joe out of his funk. A congressman’s car turns up, twenty-two years after it went missing, but the bodies that belong in the car are not there. Joe’s job is to find the bodies and to find out what happened two-plus decades ago.

With Joe being a federal officer, the story brings in other agencies, both local and above. I really liked Joe, his evolvement throughout the book, and his heart.

Highly recommended!

[Geraldine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn Good Read

If you're looking for something to take your mind away from the pointlessness of US politics, read this enchanting book. The characters are genuine, the plot terrific, and true to the spirit of Tony Hillerman.

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superenjoyable police procedural that pays homage to Tony Hillerman (it also won the Tony Hillerman prize). Everyone assumed that New Mexico Congressman Arlen Edgerton ran away from an ethics investigation to parts unknown with his mistress 20 years ago. But what’s this? It’s his car loaded with bullet holes, found in a remote washout. So they call Special Agent Joe Evers of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, who works out of the Albuquerque office. Past his prime and deep into the bottle, Evers is three months from retirement and will forever mourn the loss of his wife two years ago. Evers is assigned this coldest of cold cases mostly because it’s hopeless. Loosely partnered with Randall Bluehorse from the Navajo Tribal Nation police force, Joe gets back his investigatory mojo and grows a healthy list of suspects. Arthur Othmann is a wealthy collector of artifacts, William Tom is a past president of the Navajo Nation, Kendall Holmes is a U.S. senator, and even Edgerton’s own widow all had reasons for the congressman to die—or prevent the investigation from succeeding. Will the shit hit the fan? Despite a disappearing character, some personalities drawn from central casting, and the problem of writing about a culture without being a member of the culture, there’s enough intrigue, dark motives, corruption, and shady cops to keep it moving along great. VERDICT This title isn’t perfect, but it’s hard to believe this is Fortunato’s first novel.

Find reviews of books for men at Books for Dudes, Books for Dudes, the online reader's advisory column for men from Library Journal. Copyright Library Journal.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Reservations by John Fortunato is an exceptional read. If you enjoy a good mystery, police investigations, cold cases and plenty of intrigue, then this one is for you.

Joe Evers is a special agent for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Life has not been kind. Joe lost his wife and is carrying the heavy, heavy burden of non-acceptance. He has limited himself in his steps forward. On top of that, Joe finds himself in a forced retirement situation with a far-from-kind boss who wants to show him the door. Ironically, this boss hands Joe a cold case that has been suddenly resurrected when new evidence is found. Joe knows it's a now or never challenge that he has been handed.

John Fortunato has a talent for sharp character development with giving just enough adequate background information while layering this with the deep desire to know more. Combine this with a great storyline and you have a winner. The police work is superbly presented both with the Bureau and with Navajo tribal officers.

It's my hope that Joe Evers will be brought into the limelight in future books by John Fortunato. He's been painted with fine brushstrokes by Fortunato. A very satisfying read.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner of the Tony Hillerman Prize, this New Mexico-based mystery centers around protagonist Joe Evers, a Bureau of Indian Affairs special agent who is mourning the loss of his wife and facing a forced early retirement following a bungled investigation. Evers is assigned to what may be his last case when a bullet-ridden vehicle is discovered on the Navajo reservation. The vehicle is tied to a 20-year cold case involving a missing Congressman and his mistress, making the case a sensitive one. Evers partners with Navajo tribal officer Randall Bluehorse, and together they uncover several powerful potential suspects, including a wealthy art collector, a former president of the Navajo Nation, and the Congressman's widow, who is the front-runner in the New Mexico gubernatorial race. The complex storylines, setting, and realistic details held my attention throughout the book. I look forward to reading future books by this new author.

[Jacki King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping and engaging with an undercurrent of humor, this debut novel grabs you! Centered on a cold case that heats up at the worst possible time for all involved, Fortunato's breakout takes you the gamut from the gorgeous yet impoverished land of a Southwest reservation to the ritzy glam of the Washington DC elite. Rich with detail, realism, and human frailty, this is a great read, and I can't wait for the sequel!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!! I read a review of this book in The Washington Post a month or so ago and knew I wanted to read it. It took awhile for the library to get it to me but well worth the wait. I can understand why it won the Tony Hillerman Prize. A very well written story set in the Navaho nation and a first book by this author which I found amazing. Couldn't put it down and gave it immediately to my friend at the library today who was looking for a good book to read over Christmas.
Highly recommended!

[Meg Mims · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous debut, well-deserving of the Hillerman prize. Truly enjoyed the BIA/FBI details, the complex build-up and development of all the various characters, and then WHAM! Things really started heating up, and I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN until the end! Cannot wait for the next book by Fortunato.

[Randall Silvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end. Hillerman would be proud to have his name attached to this novel. Highly recommended.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn't love a murder mystery set in New Mexico? Lots of Anasazi background. First book for this author and he wins the Hillerman prize. Watch for more.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book because it won the Tony Hillerman Prize. I've read all of Hillerman's books and respect him as an author, a true friend of the Navajo people and a great historian of the Four Corners area. This author, John Fortunato , truly deserves the Hillerman prize! He starts slowly, letting you get acquainted with all the main characters, giving you a little background information. Then he starts introducing more and more characters, so you really have to pay attention. Suddenly, the pace picks up and you're turning the pages faster, trying to figure out all the connections to solving the mystery. The author writes with much insight into the workings of law enforcement, and life on a reservation. I think he gave an accurate and fair portrayal of the Navajo people and their culture,
neither glorifying them or disdaining them, showing the good and the bad, as in all cultures and societies. He also has knowledge of the southwest landscape, it's assets and detriments, and how much a part it plays for law enforcement in covering such vast, desert area.
This is a story about murder, dirty politics, dirty cops, dirty dealings and one man's road to redemption. I loved this debut novel and I hope John Fortunato writes another one soon!

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge Tony Hillerman fan. When heard that this was the winner of the award bearing his name, it quickly went on my list to read.

Dark Reservations is very fitting of the Tony Hillerman Award. It is a law enforcement book set in the southwest on and near the Navajo reservation. It many ways, it seemed like it could actually have been written by Hillerman himself. The main character was a gruff, middle-aged widower close to retirement. His name was even Joe,--similar to Hillerman's Joe Leaphorn character.

Great job on your first novel, Mr. Fortunato! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a brisk, complex, hard-boiled tale with dynamic characters, action, and infused with the just the right touches of regional flavor and culture. The author does a fantastic job of building a relatable protagonist and showing the ups and downs, as well as the all-consuming nature of police work.
I’ve never been much of a Hillerman fan, finding his pace slow and the metaphysical ruminations dull, so the comparisons initially put me off. Looking forward to a sequel.

[Alan Spinrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good detective yarn - screwup cop, politics, Native American artifacts, goons, corruption on several levels - fun stuff and a little spirit of Tony Hillerman.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great detective story set in New Mexico and the Navajo Reservation. Accurate detail reminds me of Tony Hillerman.

[Mystic Miraflores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lived in Albuquerque for 10 years and became a huge Tony Hillerman fan in high school when I read "Dance Hall of the Dead". So I started to eagerly read this book but found it a disappointment because it was a pale imitation of the real thing. I didn't warm to the Joe Evers character. The plot seemed to be far-fetched. However, Mr. Fortunato's details about law enforcement and investigations are so authentic that my estimation of the book rose. In the end, there was a seed for another interesting book: Joe's new job as head of border security for the new governor of New Mexico. In today's turbulent political scene and calls to build a huge and expensive wall between the US and Mexico, there is a potential for another good Joe Evers book. So I checked out the author's website and saw there haven't been any entries since last year and no news of a forthcoming book. I found that odd that he hasn't updated his website and it doesn't sound that a new book is in the works. That's very disappointing because it could be another bestseller in today's heated political atmosphere..

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bureau of Indian Affairs special agent Joe Evers is being forced into early retirement. After losing his wife, he sought healing through alcohol and publicly bungled a case. Now he’s been given a cold case involving a missing congressman to poke around where he cant do any harm; to the Bureau, to the families, to himself. As Joe begins his investigation, he is drawn out of his grief by his desire to solve the decades old mystery. When bullets start flying, it’s clear this case isn’t really cold. Good characters, solid police work, and interesting aspects of Native American culture. Joe Evers is a flawed hero. His drinking and anger issues provide interesting opportunities for future stories.

[Avis Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery with interesting turns of events. The author did a very good job with his first Novel.
The plot is fast paced and the story has an accurate portrayal of the Navajo Nation culture and people, both good and bad. With a moderate mix of crooked politics, dirty cops, Native activism, along with the blood sport of artifacts dealings among the red-rock formations that inspired ancient cultures, a disgraced Bureau of Indian Affairs agent (Joe Evers),is at a standstill as he awaits a forced retirement.
A cold case jolts him from lethargy, when there's a break and he wants to get involved and help solve the case.
Recommend to those who love mysteries of any kind.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous murder mystery set in New Mexico. Joe Evers is a man who is mourning his wife’s death but comes out of his downward spiral when a car of a missing senator is found years later. Joe is months away from retirement, but he does the work and learns that he still has what it takes to be a BIA agent. He befriends Randall Bluehorse, a young officer from the Navajo Tribal police

Joe unravels the layers of this cold case which involves Indian antiquities, black market dealings, corruption and political ambitions. Many twists and turns and great suspense, but also poignant in many ways as Joe weaves the threads together and he learns to value himself, family and friends.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bureau of Indian Affairs agent struggling in his personal like after the death of his wife, is not doing so well at work either. His last case went south with plenty of bad publicity and he is slowly but surely being edged out of the Bureau. When an abandoned derelict car is found out it the desert and it tied to a old cold case involving a missing congressman, life gets interesting...and dangerous. A well constructed and interesting first novel.

[Pc MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it 3.5 stars; just enough on the topside of that to mark it FOUR on this scale.

It's setting is on "the rez", and really quite good.

This guy won the Hillerman award for this book; 'yall don't know what that is, 'yall ought to read Tony Hillerman, all 20 or 25 of them set in the same place as this really good book.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

The car of a senator missing for two decades is found on the Navajo reservation. BIA agent Joe Evers is an alcoholic and on his way to a forced retirement is assigned the case. He discovers that there is a mole in the department. The closer he comes to solving the case, the more dangerous it becomes. Fans of Tony Hillerman and Margaret Coel should enjoy.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing debut novel by Fortunato. All the good things I heard, all the praise in blurbs from fellow authors Thurlo, Florio and others, drew me to try this book of BIA officers in New Mexico dealing with murder, embezelment, bribery and tribal politics. Very glad I read it. Eagerly await more from this author! Just slow down a little at the end, sir, too much of too many good things!!

[Mhd · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3.4 stars. I would like to read another of these. New Mexico is almost always a good location, but I do hope the main character gets his act fully together fast. Politics seemed realistic.

[Vontel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting; a slightly different angle from most other books written about the area, likely contributed to by the author's own career. Character development, with life stages and career changes and retrievals, will be interesting to see over what likely may become a series.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

First novel for the author and it is excellent. Set in New Mexico with Navajo background, main character is interesting and hurting but has you cheering for him to succeed. Hope the author continues with a series!

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark Indeed

An enjoyable read. Interesting characters and a plot with enough twists to keep me interested. The main character, Joe, is not a Navajo or even a Native American but a semi-broken individual. Intrigue abounds though.