A Thief of Time

In Tony Hillerman's enthralling eighth novel featuring his iconic Navajo Tribal Police officers, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, a chilling mystery unfolds on sacred ground. Amidst the ancient, moonlit ruins of the Southwest, an eminent anthropologist vanishes, seemingly on the brink of an earth-shattering archaeological revelation. The discovery of two corpses, shot by bullets from the missing scientist's gun, deepens the enigma. These crimes occur in a landscape plagued by "thieves of time" who plunder and desecrate ancestral sites for profit. Leaphorn and Chee are drawn into a complex investigation that forces them to bridge the chasm between ancient traditions and modern criminality. As they delve into the secrets buried within these hallowed, despoiled places, they must navigate a world of stolen artifacts, desecrated bones, and a ruthless killer, ultimately uncovering a profound truth about human nature, love, and the possibility of forgiveness.