In the third book of the Navajo Nation series, Charlie Yazzie’s former archaeology professor becomes the target of a ruthless Indian rights movement, one determined to end an investigation that could change the face of an ancient tribe. Charlie and Thomas Begay find themselves caught up in a dangerous, intrigue-filled adventure involving one of the canyon lands’ oldest riddles. Dark secrets are revealed in this fast-paced mystery of a forgotten people.

In this fast-paced sequel to the highly acclaimed Navajo Autumn, Charlie Yazzie and Thomas Begay encounter danger and intrigue on the nation’s largest Indian reservation. Old and new characters emerge to unravel ongoing corruption in the upcoming Patsy Greyhorse murder trials, and an irascible Ute family and their shrewd ranch-woman neighbor become caught up in the plot to place certain tribal leaders above the law.

Dreams tell old man Paul T’Sosi he’s dying. So why is Navajo trickster, Magpie, trying to tell him a far more terrifying secret? Hungry for revenge, Ma’iitsoh Dine’, the Navajo Wolf, is out for blood. Summoning his darkest powers, the Witch of Ganado circles tribal investigator Charlie Yazzie’s young son and close friends. Some may survive the witch’s evil vendetta, but others will die to settle an old score.
Critics describe R. Allen Chappell’s writing as “embedded and close to the ground” with an intuitive knowledge of the Navajo people and their land. Magpie Speaks, the follow-up to the widely acclaimed thriller Mojado, cements Chappell’s legacy and puts him in the forefront of modern-day Navajo mystery storytellers.

R. Allen Chappell takes a bold new direction with this thriller, raising storytelling and knowledge of the Navajo culture to an entirely new level. When Mexico’s bloodiest predator invades the reservation, it’s up to Charlie Yazzie and his friends to take charge the Navajo way. Navajo can track prey, but can Charlie, Thomas, and Harley Ponyboy catch the killer before he catches them?

Reservation “bad boy” Thomas Begay is found dead-drunk under the La Plata Bridge, which is not unusual for him. What is unusual, however, is that beautiful BIA investigator Patsy Greyhorse is found lying beside him, not drunk, or even a Navajo, but very dead nonetheless. Charlie Yazzie, fresh from law school, risks his career and even his life to help his old friend.
The answer seems to lie with the Yeenaaldiooshii . . . should one choose to believe in such things.