Chapter summaries Shadow of the Solstice Anne Hillerman

Chapter 27 Summary and Analysis

Spoiler Notice
This summary contains important plot details from Chapter 27 of Shadow of the Solstice. If you have not yet read the chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

Darleen and Greg leave Shiprock together, driving south on 491 past the hogback and lava formations, then west on Interstate 40. They pass the Petrified Forest exit and discuss what a petrified forest might look like; Darleen imagines a flame monster turning trees to stone. Greg admits he is petrified that something terrible has happened to his son, Droid. Darleen asks about Greg’s late wife. Greg explains she died of cancer the previous year, and he blames environmental contamination (leetso) from uranium mining. Darleen shares that she has a boyfriend named Slim, a teacher, but feels the relationship is unbalanced. Greg reflects on his own marriage and his tendency to go quiet. After an hour, Darleen takes over driving. They travel through the night, noticing the solstice is the next day. Darleen tells Greg they are like TV detectives. She calls her sister Bernie and brother-in-law Chee but gets voicemail. She then texts Officer Bigman, who calls back. Bigman warns them to be careful in Phoenix because of a pattern of missing Navajo people, and he promises to have Chee call them.

Key Events

  • Darleen and Greg drive from Shiprock toward Phoenix, passing the Petrified Forest.
  • Greg opens up about his wife’s death from cancer and his guilt over possible contamination.
  • Darleen discusses her relationship with Slim and their communication issues.
  • Darleen takes over driving after an hour; they travel through the night.
  • They discuss the solstice as a time for change and Greg’s hope to reconnect with Droid.
  • Darleen tries to reach Bernie and Chee, then texts Officer Bigman.
  • Bigman calls back, warns about missing Navajos in Phoenix, and offers to connect them with Chee.

Character Development

Darleen shows growth by initiating a serious conversation with Greg about grief and relationships, revealing her own vulnerability about Slim. She takes the lead on driving and coordinates communication, stepping into a more responsible role. Her text to Bigman demonstrates trust in her clan brother.

Greg shares his deep grief and self-blame over his wife’s death, showing a vulnerable side. He acknowledges his failure to communicate with Droid after his wife’s passing and expresses hope for a better relationship. The journey allows him to open up to Darleen, whom he treats as a partner in the search.

Slim is mentioned but not present; his characterization (dedicated teacher, quiet, possibly distant) affects Darleen’s emotional state.

Officer Bigman appears briefly as a protective figure, reinforcing the theme of community support and the danger in Phoenix.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Petrification and Grief: The Petrified Forest becomes a symbol for emotional numbness. Greg says his heart would “turn to stone” if he lost Droid, mirroring the transformation of wood to rock.
  • Solstice as Change: The timing of the journey—one day before the solstice—underscores a desire for renewal and transformation in relationships, especially between Greg and Droid.
  • Communication Barriers: Both Greg and Darleen struggle with openness in their relationships (Greg’s silence, Slim’s quietness). The drive becomes a space for honest dialogue.
  • Environmental Contamination (Leetso): Greg ties his wife’s cancer to uranium pollution, connecting personal tragedy to broader Navajo health concerns.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens character relationships and sets up the search in Phoenix. Greg’s backstory humanizes him, while Darleen’s personal life adds complexity to her motivations. The call with Bigman introduces the dangerous context of missing Navajo people, raising the stakes. The solstice symbolism hints at impending change, both hopeful and perilous.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Greg blame himself for his wife’s death?
    Greg believes his work cleaning up uranium contamination brought harmful materials home, causing his wife’s cancer. He also feels he failed as a father after her death, deepening his guilt.

  2. How does Darleen’s conversation with Greg help her understand her own relationship with Slim?
    Greg’s admission that he used to “clam up” mirrors Slim’s quietness. Darleen realizes she and Slim are alike in their busy schedules, and that his silence may stem from thought rather than anger. The conversation helps her see the relationship’s imbalance more clearly.

  3. What warning does Officer Bigman give Darleen, and why is it significant?
    Bigman warns that many Navajo people have gone missing in Phoenix and urges caution. This foreshadows potential danger for Droid and Mrs. Raymond, and connects the personal search to a larger crisis affecting the Navajo community.

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