On Amazon, the majority of reviewers rated the book 5 stars out of a possible 5. Reviewers who were military veterans having previously served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, lauded Hillerman for his authenticity. One reviewer suggested that the events in the book are mirrored by current conflicts in the Middle East. Some less enthusiastic readers felt the book was bogged down in details, or otherwise not up to Hillerman's style in the Joe Leaphorn / Jim Chee Navajo Tribal Police novels. Publishers Weekly stated, "Hillerman's mastery of setting and his compassionate, patient characterization are fully present in this tale, which is otherwise somewhat formulaic." References Further reading 1996 American novels Novels by Tony Hillerman Novels set in Cambodia HarperCollins books