Sacred Clowns

Sacred Clowns by Tony Hillerman is a reprint edition published by HarperCollins on May 26, 2009. This 384-page book is written in English and presents a mystery that unfolds during a kachina ceremony at the Tano Pueblo. The story begins with the lively antics of a dancing koshare, which quickly turn to tragedy when the clown is discovered bludgeoned to death, echoing the recent murder of a reservation schoolteacher.

In this narrative, Officer Jim Chee and Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn investigate the connection between the sacred clown’s final cryptic message and the unfolding events. As they seek answers, they navigate through closely guarded tribal secrets, uncovering a sinister trail that involves a runaway, a holy artifact, corrupt Indian traders, and the two dead bodies. This exploration of mystery and detective elements invites readers to engage with the complexities of the plot and the cultural backdrop.