[2] The Navajo Nation on which the story takes place, is a geographical area that spans 27,000 square miles over the connecting borders of the US states of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

He is also an attorney hired to mediate over a Tuba City, Arizona conference to discuss plans to build a resort near the Grand Canyon.

Manuelito's husband Jim Chee is directed by his superior officer Captain Howard Largo to accompany Palmer as his bodyguard.

As Manuelito leaves the police station, office manager Sandra gives her a small object found on Tsoodził, a sacred mountain to the Navajos.

On her route to Tuba City to join her husband, she stops by to consult with Joe Leaphorn, and asks him to research Horseman.

After she arrives at the conference, Manuelito gets a phone call from Lona Palmer, former wife of Aza, telling her that Richard Horseman was her sister's son.

After the son leaves, Palmer tells Manuelito that he remembers seeing Robert's car in the parking lot when the Shiprock explosion happened.

[4] Publishers Weekly was lukewarm about the basic plot, but lauded its "insights on the strength of family ties and the possibilities of redemption after a history of pain.