"Shadow of the Solstice"

Anne Hillerman is the bestselling author of the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series. Shadow of the Solstice is her tenth novel in the series, which was created by her father, Tony Hillerman. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where she is at work on her next novel.

Hillerman applied the Page 69 Test to Shadow of the Solstice and reported the following:

The Page 69 Test takes browsers to a sweet, interesting scene in Shadow of the Solstice, but it doesn’t provide a fair idea of what the mystery is about. Readers who picked up the book based on this excerpt would be in for a giant surprise when they learn that the novel deals with murder, exploitation, addiction, kidnapping, deep deception, a visiting dignitary, the power of community, and the courage to do the right thing.

Shadow of the Solstice weaves together two stories. The main plot, not even hinted at on page 69, involves a body discovered at a uranium disposal site and outsiders who come to the Navajo Nation for a solstice retreat. However, group leaders plan something very different from meditation to mark the year’s longest day.

The excerpt comes from the secondary plot. Darleen Manuelito, the younger sister of my protagonist, Officer Bernadette Manuelito, is working as a home health aide for a Navajo grandmother, Mrs. Raymond. Darleen arrives at Mrs. R’s house, but the woman doesn’t answer the door. When Darleen searches unsuccessfully for the old lady she finds the woman’s precious carved turtle fetish in a field outside her house. The discovery reminds Darleen of a story the woman told her about why turtles are sacred to the Navajo, and why Mrs. R kept the turtle in her pocket. I use that story to illustrate the elder’s solid grounding in her Navajo culture and to show the connection and affection between these two characters. I draw on both these elements to develop this storyline and add tension to the novel.

I introduced Darleen in my very first book in the series, Spider Woman’s Daughter. Nine novels later, she has matured into a thoughtful, caring grownup. In Shadow of the Solstice, Darleen has the opportunity to act heroically, and she rises to the occasion.

Visit Anne Hillerman's website.

My Book, The Movie: Spider Woman's Daughter.

The Page 69 Test: Spider Woman's Daughter.

The Page 69 Test: Song of the Lion.

The Page 69 Test: The Tale Teller.

Q&A with Anne Hillerman.

The Page 69 Test: The Sacred Bridge.

--Marshal Zeringue