🏜️ Book Review: Rock with Wings by Anne Hillerman
A thoughtful Southwestern mystery that blends Navajo tradition, modern crime-solving, and personal growth—Book 20 in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series.
Anne Hillerman continues her father Tony Hillerman’s legacy with Rock with Wings, a novel that deepens the emotional and professional journeys of Sergeant Jim Chee and Officer Bernadette Manuelito, while also honoring the enduring wisdom of retired Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn. With a solid Goodreads rating of 3.96/5 from over 11,000 readers, the book is praised for its vivid setting, dual investigations, and character-driven storytelling.
🧠 Plot Overview
Chee and Manuelito are hoping for a quiet getaway in Monument Valley, but their plans are quickly derailed:
- Chee is drawn into a local mystery involving a missing woman, a suspicious mound of rocks that may be a gravesite, and a film crew with secrets.
- Bernie returns home to care for her mother and gets pulled into a drug bust gone wrong, a mysterious car fire, and a shady solar energy development on Navajo land.
As both navigate their separate cases, they rely on Leaphorn’s guidance to uncover the truth. The novel explores how personal responsibilities and cultural heritage shape their decisions, while the landscape itself becomes a character—beautiful, dangerous, and deeply spiritual.
💬 Why Readers Appreciate It
- Dual Investigations: The split narrative adds depth and tension, showing how Chee and Bernie operate independently yet remain emotionally connected.
- Cultural Insight: Hillerman skillfully weaves Navajo customs, land rights, and community dynamics into the plot.
- Atmospheric Writing: The Southwest setting is richly described, evoking both awe and unease.
- Character Growth: Bernie’s increasing confidence and Chee’s introspective nature offer satisfying development.
⚠️ Critiques
- Some readers felt the ending lacked punch, with a resolution that left lingering questions.
- The pacing is methodical, which may feel slow to those expecting a more action-driven thriller.
- Comparisons to Tony Hillerman’s original style are inevitable; while Anne brings her own voice, not all fans embrace the shift.
📣 Reviewer Highlights
“Anne Hillerman has a gift for descriptive writing about the Southwest… She took her father’s characters and made them her own.” — Lesa’s Book Critiques
“A stronger novel than her first attempt, Spider Woman’s Daughter.” — Goodreads reviewer Carmen
🏁 Final Verdict
Rock with Wings is a solid entry in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series, perfect for fans of regional mysteries, police procedurals, and character-driven storytelling. If you enjoy mysteries that unfold slowly and thoughtfully, with a deep respect for culture and landscape, this one’s worth the journey.
