People of Darkness: The Next Light for Tony Hillerman

Tony Hillerman has always had a passion for the culture of Native Americans. He interweaves this love into his fourth installment of the detective Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee series, People of Darkness, and holds their traditions true throughout the story. The plot of this novel involves a 30 year mystery that alludes to stories that Hillerman may write in the future.

The story of People of Darkness has it all: a cop, an assassin, and a box of missing rocks willing to be bought for 3,000 dollars. An additional plot point is a dead body that has been stolen from a morgue. The main characters must figure out who has done all these things, and what their motives were. Hillerman has wrapped murder, mystery, money, and lies together in this novel.

The numerous references to Native American and white culture are surprisingly accurate and add to the overall mystique of the story by having them conflict. For example, problems arise when Chee falls in love with a young white woman during his investigation; he finds it difficult to understand the white culture. Another example is associated with mysterious piles of dead bodies that appear during the story. While most people believe that there are more practical reasons behind this mystery, the natives believe they are being caused by supernatural forces that others cannot catch or see.

People of Darkness is available in both hard and soft cover editions, as well as an audio tape and e-book. Whichever way you decide to read this murder mystery, you will not be disappointed.