Skeleton Man (2004)

A cache of diamonds, the search for an arm separated from its dead owner for nearly 50 years, and a monsoon in the Grand Canyon are only some of the elements that make such a treat of Tony Hillerman's new mystery (featuring series regulars Lieut. Joe Leaphorn and Sgt. Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police). The story is satisfying, but Hillerman's gift for characterization — not to mention his penchant for illuminating arcane aspects of Native American culture and customs — puts the real meat on Skeleton Man.