Bad Medicine: An Ella Clah Novel

I have now read about 7of the Thurlo's Ella Clah mysteries, and I can definitely say that BAD MEDICINE is one of the best if not THE best. The setting, the Navajo Nation of northern New Mexico, is one of my favorites since I went to college in NM way back when. There is good continuity of characters from earlier books to this one. After you've read a couple of these books, you soon learn to hang on every word and to look for that ONE MOMENT on which the entire case solution hangs. The title is also explained at some point, usually in such a way that you'll miss it if you aren't paying attention. The mystery itself is intriguing, and the Thurlos have an excellent grasp of the Navajo culture and of the ongoing modern struggle between the Traditionalists and the Modernists. This is one of those rare books that you just can't put down ("I'll read JUST ONE MORE chapter!") AND which you also hate to see end. I look forward to reading the remainder of the series (I would recommend that you read them in the order they were written since one book builds to some extent on the earlier ones. HOWEVER, reading them out of order, as I have done, isn't all that difficult and little is missed if you do it this way). Since Aimee Thurlo passed away recently, I am not aware of any additional books written by only David Thurlo. When I finish the last book the 2 authors wrote together, it will feel like a I've lost a good friend. I haven't yet read the LAST book written by the Thurlos in this series yet, but due to Aimee's seemingly fairly unexpected death and the fact that David has not continued to write solo, I would expect that the series was not brought to a conclusion in their last book. That will only leave me guessing about the futures of Ella, Rose, Dawn, Kevin, Big Ed, Teeny, Justine, Clifford and all the others in the series that have become like close friends by virtue of this series. Again, READ EVERY SINGLE BOOK; you WON'T be disappointed!

Ella Clah is a police Special Investigator on the vast Navajo desert reservation. Her life is threatened on an almost daily basis. Ella is compassionate, wise, brave and somewhat of a Superwoman. She is someone that you might like to have as a friend.......and a protector.Bad Medicine takes the reader on a trip through the hot, arid desert where threatening notes from the dead, jimson weed, meningitis, peyote, bullets, scorpions, murders, assassination attempts, and false accusations are just a few of the many hazards along the way.Ella has a sixth sense that serves her well, and this extrasensory perception repeatedly keeps her alert to danger. Be on your toes when Ella's badger fetish, worn around her neck, feels warm. Ella relies greatly on the little badger. When the fetish heats up, Ella knows that something sinister is about to strike.If one likes easy to read suspenseful stories, with a female sleuth at the helm and a bit of Navajo lore, history and legends thrown in, then this is a good choice. While there is a fair amount of violence and suspense there is not a lot of overly descriptive blood and gore. Most of the characters are well defined, and some are likable while others are contemptible. The action is paced fast enough to keep the story interesting, but I would not class this as a nail biting page turning book. This is a fairly well written novel; however, it is a bit wordy at times. The original paper version of Bad Medicine was written about 17 years ago, and I think this husband/wife team is doing a better, more creative job of writing today.

This series is well written and fast paced. The ending always has a slight or complete twist. Combine that with Navajo skinwalkers and Ella's special abilities makes for great reading. You get an insight into her family with their spiritual abilities. I like learning about the Navajo culture and their spiritual beliefs. You realize this fight is on more than one obvious level. It is a, "watch your back," feeling. You are for your heroine as she fights against skinwalkers, deals with traditionalists, and FB-eye. She truly walks the line between the white man's law and walking in harmony with her People. There is a feeling at the end of the book that although they caught the bad one, it is but one battle won, and the war against spiritual evil will continue without end. You are 100% for Ella and her family. I would recommend this book to anyone, period.

I have read all of Tony Hillerman's novels and was thrilled to find another author with a similar theme. Aimee Thurlo is good. Not quite at the Hillerman level but still a good read. I am a big fan of the this genre of novels and have driven around the Navajo Reservation to absorb some of the atmosphere and lots of the fry bread. If you have read all of Hillerman's work this is good next choice series. I am reading them in order and watching Ms. Thurlo's evolution. Sad that she has passed.

I love the Ella Clah Series and was so looking forward to Book #18. Then I discovered that Aimee Thurlo had passed away and I was so sad. She and David are my favorite authors and I have read all of the Ella Clah series and am now read the Lee Nez Series. I am hoping that someday David will continue to write more of these Navajo Nation cop stories, and that he will write more Ella Clah. Now that she quit the police dept., is she working for Bruce Little? And what happened to Justine, Herman, Rose, Clifford and Dawn?

Read this book before but wanted to add to my collection. Love this book! One of my favorite authors. Two thumbs up!

All the Ella Clah novels are really great. I get completely caught up in them. I have not finished the series yet, but I am headed in that direction. I feel bad for David Thurlo that his wife Aimee died. I hope things will get better for him. It is hard when you have been with someone for so long. Anyway I really recommend all the Ella Clah novels. They are exquisitely written.