Native American Thriller – SHADOW DANCER A John Treehorn Mystery

Native American Thriller
SHADOW DANCER

The first installment in the John Treehorn Mystery Series.

A dead man’s clue sends FBI Special Agent John Treehorn, to the Land of his People, the Navajo Indian Reservation, to hunt an elusive murderer named ‘Shadow Dancer’ the same Indian myth who brought this decorated law enforcement officer to his knees years earlier. John Treehorn returns to the Navajo Reservation to hunt a cold case killer whose mysterious ties are connected and cloaked in confidentiality to a prestigious Washington DC law firm. Treehorn’s haunted past is resurrected as the clues are revealed in a fifteen-year-old case identifies the killer has a connection to Treehorn’s murdered wife. “My husband kept a secret Agent Treehorn that he took to his grave. Our son was assaulted and because of the shame he has resided most of the last fifteen years of his life in a psychiatric hospital.” The FBI reopened the case as Treehorn, Special Agent Raven Shelley, and Navajo Nation Police Chief Samuel Bear hunt for clues that would help solve the case that neither the FBI nor NNP could solve years ago.

One of the victims, in the original crime, provides a vital clue that he was assaulted by “Shadow Dancer” a mythical Navajo creature that takes your soul. Treehorn knew this creature wasn’t a myth because fifteen years prior, a Shadow Dancer killed Treehorn’s wife in a murderous rage. Treehorn locates the missing body of the cold case and clues lead to two suspects, a Navajo cop who may have covered up a murder, and a Washington law firm whose clients were involved in the crime. The victim and clues lead Treehorn across the reservation in search of the killer. When another murder is discovered that ties the two murders together, Treehorn, Raven, and Samuel hunt the killer, who hides on the reservation.

As the motive for the murders emerges, the Washington law firm can’t hide their own from Treehorn’s subpoena and exposure. Information that is obtained lead Treehorn to a Baltimore homicide detectives cold case murder that links Treehorn’s case with a horrendous crime that occurred on the reservation, which identifies the killer of the two cold cases. Treehorn, Raven, and Samuel close in on the killer as secrets to Treehorn’s wife’s murder, long buried, are exposed; and the true killer’s identity is revealed as not only as a multiple killer, but, a brutalized victim. Not all killers are born to kill, some are justified to kill.

Native American & G-Man
trying hard to keep the balance between the two worlds

If like myself you enjoy crime mysteries with a great leading character, I have a really great one for you that I recently finished reading. I must tell you that prior to beginning SHADOW DANCER, I felt a bit skeptical when Paula handed me another murder mystery to read. I thought yeah, another writer in this very crowded genre. Seems, I am once again wrong, this gifted author brought a breath of fresh air to this extremely popular subject matter. The writing style of this talented writer had my mind captivated before I even noticed.

The vibrant characters and their environment that Dinah Miller created had me totally immersed in the story. It took me a little time to figure out why. It seems the author has mastered the “less is more” style, creating only pertinent dialogue and eloquent timing. The fast-paced to the point writing style demanded my attention and kept me entertained from beginning to end. This is where I must compliment the proof and editing process of this book. It helped enhance the author’s skills and improved overall readability of this book. At the risk of being picky, and opinionated, the cover should match and/or surpass the subject contained within. In my opinion, this art fell a little bit short. But, that is just my opinion. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more adventures of John Treehorn, F.B.I. Special Agent. Find more book reviews HERE.