Hearts of the missing

Following her instincts and a series of haunting mystical visions, Sergeant Nicky Matthews of the Tsiba'ashi D'yini (Fire-Sky Pueblo) reservation police launches an off-the-books investigation into the death of Sandra Deering, who was hit by a train after her family reported her missing. Nicky took the missing-persons report from Sandra's desperate family and isn't buying her colleagues' insistence that Sandra committed suicide. Amid the tribe's annual casino-profits disbursements, Nicky's investigation opens a hornet's nest of missing tribe members and possible serial murder, complicated by the tribal leadership's determination to maintain cultural purity as modern America encroaches. Despite her carefully maintained emotional walls, Nicky is shaken when a close friend becomes a suspect, and she begins to suspect that the romantic tension developing with conservation officer Franco Martinez is a ploy to sabotage her investigation. Winner of the Tony Hillerman Prize, Potenza's polished, page-turning debut shares Hillerman's thoughtful exploration of Native identity, story-driving cultural tension, and evocative setting. Readers will crave another story in Nicky Matthews' spunky, driven voice.--Christine Tran Copyright 2018 Booklist

Potenza's outstanding debut and series launch is sure to please fans of mysteries that respectfully depict Native American culture and beliefs. Sgt. Monique "Nicky" Matthews works for the Fire-Sky Pueblo police on New Mexico's Tsiba'ashi D'yini reservation. When a missing person case is resolved as a suicide, the deceased's relatives and Nicky's own mysterious visions lead her to suspect murder. Despite resistance from her hostile captain, Nicky and her intriguing-but possibly untrustworthy-new colleague, Frank Martin, investigate a connection to a pair of unsolved killings from two years earlier. Their search puts them into conflict with a powerful casino magnate and brings an old flame back into Nicky's life with unpredictable consequences. Nicky, a strong, nuanced lead, inhabits a world populated by well-developed supporting characters. Another plus is Potenza's vivid portrayal of the desert landscape. Readers will look forward to seeing a lot more of Nicky and her friends. (Dec.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

DEBUT This first novel, winner of the 2017 Tony Hillerman Prize, introduces Police Sgt. Nicky Matthews, who works to protect the people of Tsiba'ashi D'yini Indian Reservation in New Mexico. Well educated in the law, Nicky is also erudite in the traditions and history of the reservation, possessing a keen awareness and appreciation for the spirits found in all nature. These attributes serve her well as she sets out to solve the disappearance of several Fire-Sky tribal members. In her quest, Nicky is confronted by departmental jealousy and politics, as well as undercover FBI agents; on a personal level, she also has to deal with emotions stirred up by a former lover and his unstable wife. Nicky's closest friends and allies are endangered as she dissects the case, but nothing will impede her search for the truth and the missing victims. -VERDICT This action-packed mystery, which vividly evokes the beauty of the New Mexico landscape and its indigenous peoples, will attract fans of the Hillermans (Tony and Anne), leaving readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. [See Prepub Alert, 6/10/18.]-Patricia Ann Owens, formerly at Illinois Eastern -Community Coll., Mt. Carmel © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

When Sgt. Monique "Nicky" Matthews is asked to investigate the disappearance of a young Fire-Sky Pueblo woman, she finds her search impeded by cultural beliefs, evil spirits, and even members of her own squad.Despite their beautiful New Mexico surroundings, the Fire-Sky Natives cope with serious problems, to the point that suicide-by-train has become a sadly standard event. However, when one mangled corpse is discovered without its heart, Matthews knows that no train did that. According to Pueblo religious culture, a person's body must be intact at burial so the person can attain spiritual peace. When Matthews and her stalwart cohorts investigate further, they uncover a plot that ranges from cultural rites and abuses to earthly evil and greed. Unfortunately for the reader, the author tries to combine too many elements, creating confusion as she swings from one trail to the next. Also, Matthews, whom the reader will like for her tenacity, has so many physical reactions to events ("Nicky's blood fluttered," "her flesh crawled") that the reader is distracted, wondering what body part will act up next. This detracts from the author's strengthsa good ear for dialogue and an understanding and respect for the places and people in the novel.A convoluted plot may leave readers respecting Matthews but too tired to appreciate the exploration of tribal culture and customs. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Following her instincts and a series of haunting mystical visions, Sergeant Nicky Matthews of the Tsiba'ashi D'yini (Fire-Sky Pueblo) reservation police launches an off-the-books investigation into the death of Sandra Deering, who was hit by a train after her family reported her missing. Nicky took the missing-persons report from Sandra's desperate family and isn't buying her colleagues' insistence that Sandra committed suicide. Amid the tribe's annual casino-profits disbursements, Nicky's investigation opens a hornet's nest of missing tribe members and possible serial murder, complicated by the tribal leadership's determination to maintain cultural purity as modern America encroaches. Despite her carefully maintained emotional walls, Nicky is shaken when a close friend becomes a suspect, and she begins to suspect that the romantic tension developing with conservation officer Franco Martinez is a ploy to sabotage her investigation. Winner of the Tony Hillerman Prize, Potenza's polished, page-turning debut shares Hillerman's thoughtful exploration of Native identity, story-driving cultural tension, and evocative setting. Readers will crave another story in Nicky Matthews' spunky, driven voice. Copyright 2018 Booklist Reviews.

Pueblo police sergeant Nicky Matthews investigates the suicide of a young woman linked to missing Fire-Sky tribal members, who are doubly victimized: they've been murdered, and without appropriate measures their spirits are condemned to wander, cut off from their People. Winner of the 2017 Tony Hillerman Prize, so why not try it?

This first novel, winner of the 2017 Tony Hillerman Prize, introduces Police Sgt. Nicky Matthews, who works to protect the people of Tsiba'ashi D'yini Indian Reservation in New Mexico. Well educated in the law, Nicky is also erudite in the traditions and history of the reservation, possessing a keen awareness and appreciation for the spirits found in all nature. These attributes serve her well as she sets out to solve the disappearance of several Fire-Sky tribal members. In her quest, Nicky is confronted by departmental jealousy and politics, as well as undercover FBI agents; on a personal level, she also has to deal with emotions stirred up by a former lover and his unstable wife. Nicky's closest friends and allies are endangered as she dissects the case, but nothing will impede her search for the truth and the missing victims. VERDICT This action-packed mystery, which vividly evokes the beauty of the New Mexico landscape and its indigenous peoples, will attract fans of the Hillermans (Tony and Anne), leaving readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. [See Prepub Alert, 6/10/18.]—Patricia Ann Owens, formerly at Illinois Eastern Community Coll., Mt. Carmel

Potenza's outstanding debut and series launch is sure to please fans of mysteries that respectfully depict Native American culture and beliefs. Sgt. Monique "Nicky" Matthews works for the Fire-Sky Pueblo police on New Mexico's Tsiba'ashi D'yini reservation. When a missing person case is resolved as a suicide, the deceased's relatives and Nicky's own mysterious visions lead her to suspect murder. Despite resistance from her hostile captain, Nicky and her intriguing—but possibly untrustworthy—new colleague, Frank Martin, investigate a connection to a pair of unsolved killings from two years earlier. Their search puts them into conflict with a powerful casino magnate and brings an old flame back into Nicky's life with unpredictable consequences. Nicky, a strong, nuanced lead, inhabits a world populated by well-developed supporting characters. Another plus is Potenza's vivid portrayal of the desert landscape. Readers will look forward to seeing a lot more of Nicky and her friends. (Dec.)