The Sacred Bridge

The Sacred Bridge follows Navajo Tribal Police Sergeant Jim Chee's investigation into a drowning at Lake Powell that may not be accidental. While working this case during a training assignment in Utah, Chee must navigate jurisdictional complexities between tribal, state and federal authorities. Officer Bernadette Manuelito, Chee's wife, conducts her own investigation in New Mexico when a hit-and-run collision leads to the discovery of valuable ancient artifacts. Her case intersects with ongoing research about historical trading routes used by Indigenous peoples of the Southwest. Both investigations challenge Chee and Manuelito to maintain balance between modern police work and traditional Navajo beliefs. The dual narratives move between the stark beauty of Lake Powell's red rock canyons and the high desert landscape of the Navajo Nation. The novel explores themes of cultural preservation, the tension between progress and tradition, and the ongoing impact of archaeological discoveries on Indigenous communities. Through its parallel investigations, the story considers how the past continues to influence the present.

Readers note this book maintains the tone and style of Tony Hillerman's original series while incorporating modern themes like cryptocurrency and social media. The familiar characters of Bernie Manuelito and Jim Chee remain authentic to their roots. Liked: - Details about Lake Powell and Navajo culture - Multiple interweaving plot lines - Strong character development for Bernie - Environmental and water rights themes Disliked: - Slower pacing than previous books - Less focus on Jim Chee compared to earlier novels - Some found the cryptocurrency subplot confusing - Several readers mentioned editing errors One reader said "Bernie really comes into her own as the lead investigator." Another noted "The Lake Powell setting adds fresh energy to the series." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (2,800+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (89 ratings) The book ranks in the middle range of ratings compared to other books in the series.

Spider Woman's Daughter by Anne Hillerman A Navajo police officer investigates a shooting while navigating tribal customs and family connections in the American Southwest.

The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson A Wyoming sheriff solves murders on the reservation while working with tribal police and balancing modern law enforcement with Native American traditions.

Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn tracks a missing Zuni boy through sacred tribal grounds and must bridge cultural gaps to solve the case.

Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger An ex-sheriff investigates crimes that intersect with Ojibwe culture and tradition in Minnesota's remote north woods.

Winter Count by David Heska Wanbli Weiden A tribal cop pursues justice through both legal channels and traditional Native ways on South Dakota's Rosebud Indian Reservation.

🌵 "The Sacred Bridge" marks Anne Hillerman's sixth contribution to the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series, which she continued after her father Tony Hillerman's passing. 🏺 The book explores real archaeological sites around Lake Powell, weaving ancient Ancestral Puebloan history with modern crime investigation. 🌎 Author Anne Hillerman spent years as a journalist before becoming a novelist, writing extensively about Southwestern cuisine and culture. 👮‍♀️ The character of Bernadette Manuelito, featured prominently in this book, was a minor character in Tony Hillerman's original series but was elevated to protagonist status by Anne. 🗺️ Lake Powell, where much of the story takes place, is actually a man-made reservoir created by the Glen Canyon Dam in 1963, flooding numerous archaeological sites now underwater.