Serial killings on the Rez and why in June in four consecutive years; create a puzzle for Ella Clah and her team to solve. Ella seems to be dodging bullets everywhere as she juggles work and her home life. The latter is about to become complicated as her daughter approaches her teen years. As always with the Thurlos, excellent insights into a Native American culture as she shares their language and life on the Navaho reservation. ( )

"Fresh Meat" by Vanessa Parker for Criminal Element

In my search for novels featuring Native American characters, I was given the opportunity to read Black Thunder, by Aimee and David Thurlo. While it is the sixteenth novel in the mystery series featuring Navajo Police Special Investigator Ella Clah, it was my first book in the series. I am an avid reader of Native American culture, both fiction and non-fiction. I have read all the Wind River Reservation mysteries by Margaret Coel, a bunch of Tony Hillerman tales, as well as a number of non-fiction titles.

One of the things I look for when I pick up a novel with Native Americans as the main characters is that I learn new things about their culture and history. Since Coel is a historian of Native Americans, I know when I pick up one of her books I’ll learn about the Arapaho tribe. Now, with the Ella Clah books, I’m looking forward to having the Thurlos introduce me to the Navajo tribe.

(Read the rest at http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/2011/10/fresh-meat-aimee-and-david-thurlos-... )

Aimée and David Thurlo are prolific authors, having penned over 50 books together during their 40 year marriage. Black Thunder was ther first book I'd read by this pair.

Black Thunder is the 17th book to feature Ella Clah - a Tribal Investigator for the Navajo Police. A local construction crew working on the rez uncovers a body. Cause of death - 2 bullets to the back of the head. But when more bodies are found and county lines crossed, other law enforcement groups are brought in. Ella has to deal with rival agencies, warring personalities and honouring Navajo beliefs while trying to find what looks to be a serial killer.

The Thurlos have lived in the New Mexico area for many years and David grew up on the Navajo reservation. This intimate knowledge of their settings shows in their work. Descriptions are detailed and accurate. More fascinating though is the exploration of Navajo customs and life - Traditionalists vs Modernists, not using someone's name and much more. I learned quite a bit via Ella Clah.

"Ella took a deep breath. Death and police work went hand in hand. Yet deep inside her, the little Navajo girl who'd been taught never to wish anyone dead out loud because that could have the power to kill, and not to put her shoes on the wrong feet because it could call death, still respected the old beliefs. They whispered a different set of truths, but ones that were as much a part of her as the badge she wore. For years she'd fought against that duality, but she was a product of two cultures and both deserved respect."

A subplot involves Ella's personal life - her teenage daughter, her mother and a boyfriend. This adds a personal note and makes Ella even more likable. Aimée Thurlo also writes romance under the Harlequin Intrigue imprint. At times I found Black Thunder to have undertones of the romantic mystery genre. The plot is good, but it really wasn't difficult to suss out who the killer was. Sometimes the coincidences that lead to the next step or clue were a bit too pat. I do prefer my murder mysteries a bit more complicated.

This is a solid series featuring an appealing lead character, a great setting and believable situations. Fans of Tony Hillerman would enjoy this series. ( )

I enjoy the Ella Clah series and read the books as soon as they come out. I like the supporting characters and the choices the characters make. I like seeing how they are leading their lives from book to book and eagerly await the next book ( )