Chapter summaries Shadow of the Solstice Anne Hillerman

Chapter 31: Bernie Investigates the Yazzie Revival Camp

Spoiler Warning: This chapter summary contains key plot points from Chapter 31. If you haven't read the chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

Bernie arrives at the Yazzie home, noting the turquoise pickup, hogan, and well-tended horses. She radios the station and updates Chee on the disturbance at the revival camp, identifying the group as CUSP (Citizens United to Save the Planet) and sharing details from Arthur Caseman and Rolland Chavez. Chee mentions that when Secretary Cooper visits, she might discuss expanding uranium mining. Bernie feels something is off and decides to inspect the sweat lodge after talking to Mr. Yazzie. They discuss the missing Mrs. Yazzie, who left after a vision of evil. Bernie then meets Mr. Yazzie and his grandson Sam (Sprout) in the corral. Sam shows Bernie a muscle and shares his desire to be a warrior; Bernie gives him the secret word “Sprout.” Mr. Yazzie denies giving permission for the sweat lodge and says the group should leave after today. Sam mentions that Shicheii has a safe place in the bedroom. Mr. Yazzie directs Bernie to Mrs. Yazzie’s computer or the “Songs and Prayers” folder for a visitor list. Inside the house, Bernie finds the office table overturned and papers scattered. She hears a noise and sees a goateed man jump from behind the door; the chapter ends as she reaches for her weapon and the room goes black.

Key Events

  • Bernie checks in with the station and briefs Chee on the camp disturbance and CUSP.
  • Chee shares potential mining expansion under Secretary Cooper.
  • Bernie talks privately with Mr. Yazzie and grandson Sam at the corral.
  • Sam mentions a hidden safe place in the Yazzie bedroom.
  • Mr. Yazzie reveals he did not authorize the sweat lodge construction.
  • Bernie learns Mrs. Yazzie left after a vision of evil.
  • Mr. Yazzie tells Bernie where to find the visitor list (computer or “Songs and Prayers” folder).
  • Inside the house, Bernie discovers the office has been ransacked.
  • A goateed man ambushes Bernie; the chapter ends on a cliffhanger.

Character Development

  • Bernie Manuelito – Demonstrates thorough police work by gathering intel and trusting her instincts that something is wrong. Her warm interaction with Sam shows her ability to connect with children and the community.
  • Chee – Shows concern for Bernie’s safety and worry about the captain’s health. He shares strategic information about mining, indicating he is keeping tabs on larger political developments.
  • Mr. Yazzie – Calm and cooperative, prioritizes his grandson and horses. He is firm about the sweat lodge being unauthorized and resolute about not hosting the group again.
  • Sam (Sprout) – A curious and trusting four-year-old who reveals key information about a safe place in the house, suggesting he knows more than he realizes.
  • Mrs. Yazzie – Though absent, her vision of evil and departure signal her intuition about danger on the property.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Intuition vs. Observation – Bernie’s feeling that something is off, Mrs. Yazzie’s vision, and Sam’s mention of a safe place all point to unseen dangers that intuition can catch before facts.
  • Family and Community – The tender scene with Mr. Yazzie and Sam emphasizes the importance of family bonds and the trust Bernie has earned within the Diné community.
  • Hidden Dangers – The ransacked office and sudden ambush literalize the theme that danger can hide in plain sight, even in a seemingly peaceful home.
  • Sacred vs. Exploited Land – The unauthorized sweat lodge and the proposed uranium mining contrast respect for the land (the hogan, horses) with exploitation by outsiders.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 31 escalates the tension of the cold open and connects Bernie’s local investigation to the broader political plot involving CUSP and potential uranium mining. The cliffhanger ambush raises the stakes dramatically, showing that Bernie is personally in danger. The chapter also deepens character relationships, especially between Bernie and Mr. Yazzie, and provides a crucial clue (the hidden safe place) that may become important later. Bernie’s vulnerability in the final scene reminds readers that even experienced officers can be caught off guard.

Study Questions and Answers

1. How does Bernie’s conversation with Chee reveal the larger political context of the story?
Chee tells Bernie that Secretary Cooper, when she visits, may discuss expanding uranium mining near the Navajo Nation. This connects the CUSP group’s protest activities to a real resource extraction issue, suggesting that the disturbance at the revival camp might have motives beyond the spiritual.

2. What does Sam accidentally reveal about the Yazzie house, and why might that be important?
Sam says his grandfather has a safe place in the bedroom. This is likely a hiding spot for valuables or evidence. Since Bernie is later attacked after searching for a visitor list, the safe place could contain key information about the group or other secrets.

3. Why does Bernie decide not to call for backup initially?
Bernie tells Chee the situation appears manageable: a talkative man, a fighter, and two intimidated women. She wants to assess further before requesting backup. However, her confidence proves misplaced when she is ambushed inside the house.

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