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Ella Clah #2
Death Walker
Returning to the Navajo Reservation and solving her father's murder taught former FBI Agent Ella Clah a great deal about herself and her people, the Dineh. She has begun to accept that that there is more to the world than can be explained by FBI training and forensic science. Newly hired as a Special Investigator with the tribal police, Ella investigates the brutal murders of several of the Dineh's "living treasures," Navajos esteemed for their knowledge of the tribe's religious and cultural wisdom. Illusion and ritual duel with police procedures and science as Ella strives to find out who is destroying the heart of the tribe.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
46 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
About the author
Aimée Thurlo
98 books151 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 43 reviews
October 29, 2018
A good entry into the Ella Clah mysteries, this could be subtitled "The Return of the Skinwalkers". This book introduces Ella's cousin, Justine, into the series. Well plotted with good action. The only problem is that some of the dialogue is a little stiff. All in all, if you like Ella Clah you will like this entry.
May 30, 2017
This is the 2nd of the Ella Clah mysteries, and my first recommendation is that one should read these in order. There are many references to prior events, presumably from the first novel, but not enough to put the story together clearly (which otherwise would be rather boring for those who had read the first installment, I guess). This book can stand alone, but all the references are an annoyance when one has not read the first book.
Ella is a good person who cares for others; she is not the all-too-typical dysfunctional detective, but she is trying to readjust to life on the Navajo reservation after a career as an FBI agent, and trying to overcome the distrust of many of the Navajo. The unfolding of her relationships with her family are a nice touch.
The mystery is interesting - someone is eliminating elders who preserve aspects of Navajo culture. At the same time, a devious "skinwalker" who figured prominently in the first Clah novel, apparently, is determined to destroy her and her family from the psychiatric facility where he is being held under strict observation.
My issue with the book - which I would give 2.5 stars if I could - is that the writing is just not that great. There is a lot of needless repetition - for example, we read over and over that Ella hangs up her two-way radio in her patrol car. I was sure that, sooner or later, this would be significant somehow. It never was, leaving me to wonder - did the Thurlos think we could not have figured it out on our own, that, having finished her conversation, she'd hang it up?
Still, I kept reading and wanted to learn what happened to characters I'd come to like, and I particularly enjoyed the dynamics of Ella and her mother, with whom she lives. I will keep reading this series.
Ella is a good person who cares for others; she is not the all-too-typical dysfunctional detective, but she is trying to readjust to life on the Navajo reservation after a career as an FBI agent, and trying to overcome the distrust of many of the Navajo. The unfolding of her relationships with her family are a nice touch.
The mystery is interesting - someone is eliminating elders who preserve aspects of Navajo culture. At the same time, a devious "skinwalker" who figured prominently in the first Clah novel, apparently, is determined to destroy her and her family from the psychiatric facility where he is being held under strict observation.
My issue with the book - which I would give 2.5 stars if I could - is that the writing is just not that great. There is a lot of needless repetition - for example, we read over and over that Ella hangs up her two-way radio in her patrol car. I was sure that, sooner or later, this would be significant somehow. It never was, leaving me to wonder - did the Thurlos think we could not have figured it out on our own, that, having finished her conversation, she'd hang it up?
Still, I kept reading and wanted to learn what happened to characters I'd come to like, and I particularly enjoyed the dynamics of Ella and her mother, with whom she lives. I will keep reading this series.
August 15, 2012
Tony Hillerman step aside! Here's another Tribal detective story, but I think it covers the Navajo belief system a little more thoroughly. After reading Death Walker, I feel I understand more of what a Skinwalker is and what it is not. Mind you, this is still written in the style of a mystery novel, so don't expect it to be too deep.
The main character, Special Investigator, Ella Clah, left the Reservation for a number of years and returned when some Skinwalkers were threatening her family (this happened in the previous book, but there is enough reference in this book to know this). Now her people are faced with what appears to be a "Skinwalker wannabe" who is killing all of the teachers of Navaho traditions. She balances between the special forces that her people believe in and her skills that she learned as an FBI agent.
The Thurlos do a good job reinforcing the Dineh thinking throughout the book. The advantage that this couple have is that David grew up on the Navajo Reservation in Shiprock and Aimée is from Havana Cuba, thus they both have a non-Anglo background. I believe this helps lend credibility to the characters and events. I would like to read their other books that are not part of this series to see if they mix magical realism into their southwest novels. I also look forward to reading more books in this series!
The main character, Special Investigator, Ella Clah, left the Reservation for a number of years and returned when some Skinwalkers were threatening her family (this happened in the previous book, but there is enough reference in this book to know this). Now her people are faced with what appears to be a "Skinwalker wannabe" who is killing all of the teachers of Navaho traditions. She balances between the special forces that her people believe in and her skills that she learned as an FBI agent.
The Thurlos do a good job reinforcing the Dineh thinking throughout the book. The advantage that this couple have is that David grew up on the Navajo Reservation in Shiprock and Aimée is from Havana Cuba, thus they both have a non-Anglo background. I believe this helps lend credibility to the characters and events. I would like to read their other books that are not part of this series to see if they mix magical realism into their southwest novels. I also look forward to reading more books in this series!
June 14, 2014
Death Walker is the second book in a mystery series set on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. It easily stands on its own without reading the first in this series. Former FBI agent Ella Clah has joined the Navajo Tribal Police. The desert and mesas of The Rez are as powerful a presence as the characters themselves. In Death Walker, a killer is murdering those who know the traditional Navajo ways, preventing them from passing on their deep knowledge and upsetting the balance of life. First - a professor who teaches the traditions of The People. Then a Singer, who restores balance with healing or protective song and ceremony. Then, a woman capturing Navajo oral history. With each murder, the scales of life tip toward disharmony. Ella must find the murderer before he strikes again with her own family a target.
This book blends the landscape and culture of the Navajo people with the details of police work in the thinly populated desert. While the segments dealing with Ella's personal relationships seem awkward, these are mercifully short. Death Walker is an engaging and enjoyable read.
This book blends the landscape and culture of the Navajo people with the details of police work in the thinly populated desert. While the segments dealing with Ella's personal relationships seem awkward, these are mercifully short. Death Walker is an engaging and enjoyable read.
April 29, 2009
Having run out of Tony Hillerman books (big sigh), a friend suggested this series of books. I really enjoyed the story steeped in the Navajo culture. The sense of place is strong and the characters are well defined. Like many mysteries involving a female lead character, there is a struggle between mother and daughter. However, in this one it is quite clear there is deep love between the two.
June 10, 2013
This was #2 in the Ella Clah series. Ella receivers her badger totem and continues to work against skin walkers and other forces of evil on the rez. She is more determined than I would ever be but this was an interesting read. She remains suspicious of most of those around her which leaves the reader with questions about many of the supporting characters.
September 15, 2012
Another good one in the series. Ella Clah's character and relationships continue to develop and the mystery is a solid one. This is a series to start at the beginning and hope Thurlo keeps going a long time.
June 4, 2008
I like it less than Hillerman, but I like it.
July 17, 2009
Still loving it, and still hoping to read the whole series.
April 5, 2011
Loved the mix of Indian culture and Indian "magic." The plot was a bit slow at places, but overall it kept me engaged.
March 31, 2011
early in the series, one of the better ones
July 29, 2011
I love Ella Clah, 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
February 18, 2014
I really liked the second book about Ella Clah. Very interesting.
July 18, 2015
second in the series. Ella gains confidence in her self and her special gifts. She learns the value of friends and family.
December 24, 2016
Very good mystery
This is my second Ella Clah Novel and I am enjoying them very much. Looking forward to the next one.
This is my second Ella Clah Novel and I am enjoying them very much. Looking forward to the next one.
October 18, 2019
Books are like gateways to different worlds. When people open up a books and start to read, it is like going through a passage to the world of the book they are reading. If an author can make someone feel like this then you know that you are reading an excellent book. The mystery novel Deathwalker by Aimee and David Thurlo depicts a special investigator for the tribal police named Ella Clah solving the murders of some highly regarded elders in the tribe. The novel Deathwalker deserves four out of five stars because of how well Aimee and David Thurlo created the plot of the story.
Deathwalker earns a four out of five stars mainly because of how the plot unfolded. The plot of Deathwalker was both intruiging and ever-changing. Every time the reader thinks that Ella is close to finding out who the murderer is there is another backstory or another piece of evidence that twists the plot again. After the first murder happens, Ella is right on top of the case, but a little while later she gets a call about an ex-cop named Yazzie Peterson who might be connected, but he is also in a highly guarded mental rehabilitation facility. This part in the book gives the reader more insight into Ella’s background, her relationship with Peterson, and changes up the plot. Another time when the plot changes and makes the story more interesting was when Ella learned about a stargazer who had been attacked a couple of months ago by the same person who has been murdering the other elders. This piece of evidence gave Ella more knowledge about the killer and in turn this made the plot a lot more interesting. Both pieces of the plot helped create more suspense in the book and made the reader more likely to keep reading.
The plot of any story has to be interesting to keep the reader hooked on the book and the plot for Deathwalker was definitely did this. The many twists and turns in a plot are like the many twists and turns in life. Each time there is a twist people get thrown off balance, but it is how we recover, and deal with these obstacles that teaches others what type of person they are. The plot of a book can give the characters and reader a crazy adventure that can only be experienced by reading the book. In turn, reading the book can give people a better sense on how to deal with obstacles in their own life.
Deathwalker earns a four out of five stars mainly because of how the plot unfolded. The plot of Deathwalker was both intruiging and ever-changing. Every time the reader thinks that Ella is close to finding out who the murderer is there is another backstory or another piece of evidence that twists the plot again. After the first murder happens, Ella is right on top of the case, but a little while later she gets a call about an ex-cop named Yazzie Peterson who might be connected, but he is also in a highly guarded mental rehabilitation facility. This part in the book gives the reader more insight into Ella’s background, her relationship with Peterson, and changes up the plot. Another time when the plot changes and makes the story more interesting was when Ella learned about a stargazer who had been attacked a couple of months ago by the same person who has been murdering the other elders. This piece of evidence gave Ella more knowledge about the killer and in turn this made the plot a lot more interesting. Both pieces of the plot helped create more suspense in the book and made the reader more likely to keep reading.
The plot of any story has to be interesting to keep the reader hooked on the book and the plot for Deathwalker was definitely did this. The many twists and turns in a plot are like the many twists and turns in life. Each time there is a twist people get thrown off balance, but it is how we recover, and deal with these obstacles that teaches others what type of person they are. The plot of a book can give the characters and reader a crazy adventure that can only be experienced by reading the book. In turn, reading the book can give people a better sense on how to deal with obstacles in their own life.
June 2, 2019
Until the Thurlo's, Navajo Nation as a mystery setting was pretty much owned by Tony Hillerman. In 1995, Aimee Thurlo, with David as a non credited co author, began the Ella Clah series. Death Walker, Book 2, was first published in 1996. Current editions of the series, add David's name to the title page.
Does the mystery still hold up? Yes for the most part. The themes of cultural assimilation vs traditionalist views, resonate today. Some of the LEO methods of crime solving, i.e f2f interviews, stakeouts, and paperwork are still with us. One could assume, however, that data is now stored in a cloud and not in a file cabinet. Ella's interior personal conflict concerning belief in shamanism, against scientific facts might still be of a concern.
Death Walker introduces Justine Goodluck, also a member of the Navajo police force, a cousin of Ella's who will become one of the lead characters in the series. The primary villains continue to be people who have embraced mysticism as a way towards power. Peterson Yazzie, the formidable skinwalker from Book 1 is being has been tried and convicted. Yet he still claims responsibility for the deaths of "living treasures" -- the people who live and teach the traditional ways of the Navajo.
Is he that powerful?
Many books from almost 25 years ago have a faint musty feel to them. This series does not.
Recommended
Does the mystery still hold up? Yes for the most part. The themes of cultural assimilation vs traditionalist views, resonate today. Some of the LEO methods of crime solving, i.e f2f interviews, stakeouts, and paperwork are still with us. One could assume, however, that data is now stored in a cloud and not in a file cabinet. Ella's interior personal conflict concerning belief in shamanism, against scientific facts might still be of a concern.
Death Walker introduces Justine Goodluck, also a member of the Navajo police force, a cousin of Ella's who will become one of the lead characters in the series. The primary villains continue to be people who have embraced mysticism as a way towards power. Peterson Yazzie, the formidable skinwalker from Book 1 is being has been tried and convicted. Yet he still claims responsibility for the deaths of "living treasures" -- the people who live and teach the traditional ways of the Navajo.
Is he that powerful?
Many books from almost 25 years ago have a faint musty feel to them. This series does not.
Recommended
January 8, 2020
I really wanted to like this book, but it is painfully slow-moving with so very many boring conversations and details that don’t carry the story forward at all. I was super excited about learning more about the Dineh and having a Native American protagonist but Ella is not an exciting character...she doesn’t do much except wander around aimlessly hoping the answers will fall in her lap. Whenever someone is mean/ rude/ insulting she just keeps quiet and takes it, which may be a great trait in a decent human being but it’s not super interesting in a main character. I wondered if it’s a cultural thing and the authors maybe tried to stay true to that, but regardless, this isn’t a documentary and surely there’s a way to give your character a little umpf without taking her too far from any cultural identity.
May 8, 2019
I am a late comer to this series. After reading the first book and liking it I kept reading the series. This is the second book featuring Ella Clah, who is now living and working on the reservation. I like the strong Navajo women in this book, from Ella and her mother, to tribal leaders to her new assistant Justine. However I felt I was really plodding through this book, but I stuck with it to see how it ended. However, I was very disappointed in the ending; after all the build up it was over in a few pages. I will read the third one to see if it is better.
August 5, 2024
I was disappointed in this book. I have always liked Aimee & David Thurlo. Ella Clah the character is just too perfect. I'm not sure how she functions without sleeping or eating and also how she can have so much experience in law enforcement when she's so young. Too much of it didn't make sense to me. I have 3 other books in this series but I'm really not sure if I will read them. It's a long way off from the quality of Tony Hillerman and Anne Hillerman.
May 25, 2019
Although I enjoyed this Ella Clah mystery, the plot seemed a bit slow and drawn-out to me for some reason. Then, when the denouement was finally reached and a lot of action took place, things got a bit too artificial and theatrical as if the authors were writing with a TV or movie audience in mind. The contrast was very Harrington
January 20, 2025
A continuation of book 1 in a sense. Skinwalker wannabe (or so it appears) is now terrorizing elders. Ella investigates.
Well written and marries culture and beliefs with good old police work and forensics. A nice ending to the drama from book 1. I am hopeful that Ella will discover more about her 'gift' and how it plays into her police work.
Well written and marries culture and beliefs with good old police work and forensics. A nice ending to the drama from book 1. I am hopeful that Ella will discover more about her 'gift' and how it plays into her police work.
April 4, 2018
Enjoyed the book - first time reading this author. Liked the research, information and twists. Will read # 1 (as I had not realized it was a series until I read references to the recent past) and then others, if that is as good.
May 10, 2019
I really wanted this book to move the characters along. It felt that this book should have been called Return of the Skinwalkers. I committed to read the first 3. I hope the third picks up the pace.
July 9, 2023
Thrilling, exciting series about an ex-FBI agent who has returned home and is now working with the tribal police. This time, Ella is fighting a serial killer on the reservation along with her family's old enemy, the Skinwalker Yazzie. If you love Tony or Anne Hillerman, you will love this series!
November 28, 2025
Good
I learn something new each time I read an Ella Claw book, this was no exception. In this book there was murder, skinwalkers, family, and a new life for Ella as she becomes a sheriff on the reservation.
I learn something new each time I read an Ella Claw book, this was no exception. In this book there was murder, skinwalkers, family, and a new life for Ella as she becomes a sheriff on the reservation.
August 16, 2018
Boring except info on Native American culture
May 22, 2019
Too much repetition - at least 100 pages too long... a shame really with so much potential to mine...
July 24, 2021
Engaging story.
For those that know the area, some of the place names are misspelled and do not match 1990s maps or modern internet maps. Unsure if this was intentional by the authors or not.
For those that know the area, some of the place names are misspelled and do not match 1990s maps or modern internet maps. Unsure if this was intentional by the authors or not.
June 9, 2022
Excellent
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews