Turquoise Girl

Ella Clah #12

by Aimée Thurlo, David Thurlo

Navajo Police Special Investigator Ella Clah has seen a lot of death in the decade since she returned to the Reservation, but nothing quite as bad as a series of violent murders of young Navajo. Something about the crime scene reminds Ella of her days in the FBI, and she calls on Agent Blalock for help. And that's not the only link to Ella's past--clues indicates that Ella's father may have tried to stop this killer before his own murder.
 
Working long hours, desperate to identify and stop the serial killer before he strikes again, Ella manages to squeeze in a few dates with Reverend Bilford Tome. Ella's father was a man of the cloth as well--is Ella following her mother's path, falling for a man whose faith she does not share?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Native American, Thriller

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

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

[Robert Nelson]

Enjoyed the story but I was surprised to see that the authors were unaware that one does not see crucifixes in Protestant churches; they are found in Western & Eastern Orthodox - Catholic - churches. Empty crosses are seen in Protestant churches.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ella Clah, altho' it wouldn't be bad for her to get a love interest that lasted at some point--this one has her in more danger than is usual and more contemplative about her role as a parent

[Marilyn Fontane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turquoise Girl by Aimee & David Thurlo is a Navaho Reservation murder mystery, which has some elements in common with Tony Hillerman and his daughter Anne. No, it wasn't quite as good, but it was interesting and I loved going back to that setting. I miss Leaphorn and Chee and Bernie, and this did help that longing. Ella Clah, the protagonist, is a harder character than the Hillerman crew. She is a single mother and a law enforcement officer on the Rez. Her mother is a traditionalist, and her father was a Christian minister, giving her a mix of the various religious positions. In this novel religion was prominent since the victims they were focusing on were obviously killed by someone who was, or wanted them to think he was, a Christian freak. The victims were submerged in water during or after their deaths (baptism) and posed in prayer with Bible verses placed at the scene. It soon becomes apparent that all of them were in some way associated with Ella's father's church, and Ella feels that her family is threatened, creating more suspense than with a serial killer who at least was not after her. The plot is interesting and full of twists and turns to keep the reader involved. The characters are fairly well-drawn (well, not as well as the Hillermans, but then I have only read one novel in this series and thus am not as familiar with the whole cast--Hillerman developed characters throughout the series and I suppose the Thurlos do as well). The Navaho references and setting is good. Basically, I enjoyed the novel, and may read more in the series.

[Mary Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, gave up on this early on. I had read several Tony Hillerman and frankly this one set in the same area of New Mexico just didn't catch my attention the way his did.

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one that I enjoyed. I sure like this series.

[Lois Hecksel · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than a cozy mystery, this will appeal to fans of Tony Hillerman.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella is a Navajo police special investigator. Trying to incorporate new police science with old traditional Navajo beliefs is not an easy job. Ella is not greatly welcomed by her fellow Navajo tribe when she decides to become a police investigator. She tends to stray from old Tribal beliefs in ways of doing things and solving crimes, which is not looked kindly upon. When a Navajo woman is found murdered in her home near a small diner on the Rez Ella and her crew are on the case. Not everyone is happy about this, many Navajos believe that their new age science is not the way to deal with murder. Ella and her crew then are forced to beat the race against time to try and solve this murder case before the local Navajos take the situation into their own, traditional, hands. When things don’t seem to be moving fast enough for the Navajos on the Rez many things start happening that are clearly a threat, not only to the police force, but more so to Ella. The deeper into the case Ella becomes the more confusing it gets for Ella. She is forced to look at her family’s past and look at traditional values that she has long since moved away from. Quickly the murder turns into threats against Ella’s family, friends, and Navajo family. Can Ella solve the case with the help of her police and Navajo friends before it is too late? Can she solve it before a mother’s grief of her murdered daughter causes her to enlist the traditional help of a Navajo group? Can she protect her family and friends while she tries?

This book was not the first in the series, but it was a very well written book, so was an easy stand alone book along with part of a series. I have not read any of the authors’ other books and did not have any problems following what was going on in this book. I really liked and enjoyed this book. I loved the Navajo plotline and characters. I felt it was a great representation of what traditionalists really feel about modern police science being used. It has many twists and turns as the plot thickens with the murder and protesters that don’t want a building built on the Rez and everything that happens because of these two things. The characters were very likable and were easy to feel for throughout the book. I thought I had the case solved at least three times, only to discover I was wrong. I think Ella was by far my favorite character in this book. I enjoyed reading about Navajo traditions throughout this book and learning how they view things. I also loved how all the characters were respected by all the other characters, even if they weren’t liked by all. I am looking forward to going back and reading more books written by this pair of authors. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a good murder mystery with great characters and with a great Navajo plot to it too.

4/5 Stars!

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella Clah gets to discover more about her father's background, and how he, as a Christian minister, was viewed on the reservation by the Traditional People and also by those outside the reservation.

Overall a good read, but there were places the dialogue lagged or seemed to skip a beat, which made comprehension difficult.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're tired of the same old police procedural mysteries and love Tony Hillerman's mysteries, give Aimee Thurlo's Ella Clah a try. Set on a New Mexico Native American reservation, she takes us on a wild ride. Ella Clah is a former FBI agent and an inspector for the tribal police with her cousin, Justine Goodluck, her partner in crime. When her mother's former friend is found murdered in her life, she's on her toughest case of her life. In the midst of this murder, there's the Fierce Ones, a vigilant Native American group who have their own ways of taking swift justice in their hands, and the protest at the power plant. Ella and Justice come across some hard truths and complications of the Rez, when there's someone who wants to sends her a message of her own. Through her eyes, we witness what drama she goes through to discover hidden secrets in this case that might hit closer to home. A lot of drama and adventure, while she's protecting her daughter and dispensing the law to keep the peace, the shocking truth and his motive would blow your away. What an enjoyable mystery!

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, I just gave up on this one... Why? I was more than halfway through the book and happened to peek at the book jacket, only to discover that the identity of the killer was revealed on the book jacket, or so it appeared. It was already dragging terribly for me, with too many suspects, and interviewing people not even remotely close to the case for local gossip-- it just didn't do much for me.

So, this one doesn;t enter my count-- but I will likely not try anymore of them. Just meanders around a bit too much for my taste.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Ella Clah detective mystery. For some reason, I found this one to be grittier and harder to get through than some of the others. It took a long, long time to find out why it was named turquoise girl and by now I have forgotten the tale.

Not my favorite but ok.

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very satisfying read. I really enjoy the Ella Clah mysteries. The way the detectives are able to tract down the killers and yet the Navaho balance is always restored and they walk in beauty.

[Michael Starsheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great entry in this series

I gave this book five stars because it was a good read. I enjoyed the characters and their interplay. The book's setting on the Navajo reservation allows for a lot of cultural interplay that goes beyond what you normally find in mystery novels.

[Jewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have quit saying much about these books because I hate to keep repeating myself, but I love the whole series. In this one, we see a problem with religious fanatics that carries over into our world today. Ella does her usual great job and Justine is always there too.

[DElizabeth DeWolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding mystery

This is by far,one of the best ella claw books in the series..the story line allows the reader a chance to know how each member of the claw family fits into the unlikely scenarios for the family ella has before she had dawn.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good entry into the Ella Clah series. In this one, Ella & Justine, must investigate a series of murders, apparently committed by an individual who knew Ella's father from years ago. Well written, exciting, with a good plot. Recommended.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the next to last Ella Clah book and it was really an easy but interesting read.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this several years ago and enjoyed it enough that I would read more by these authors.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Thurlos just keep coming up with interesting plots. This one was a little more grisly than some of the others.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 3 out of 5]

strong female police detective living and detecting on the Navajo reservation. Lots of Navajo culture. Murder and mayhem. Great peripheral characters. This is a good series.

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good fun read about Navajo in New Mexico.

[Ande Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was ok. I have read others in this series that I liked better.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the characters and their interactions, wonderful setting, can't remember the plot!

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average fiction mystery based on the Navajo culture.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the southwest location and the characters, don't really care for the blood and gore.

[Thea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this next book!

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Overwhelmingly expository dialog drove me nuts.