Exposure

Rita Todacheene, Book 2

De: Ramona Emerson

Narrado por: Charley Flyte

In Gallup, New Mexico, where violent crime is five times the national average, a serial killer is operating unchecked, his targets indigent Native people whose murders are easily disguised as death by exposure on the frigid winter streets. He slips unnoticed through town, hidden in plain sight by his unassuming nature, while the voices in his head guide him toward a terrifying vision of glory. As the Gallup detectives struggle to put the pieces together, they consider calling in a controversial specialist to help.

Rita Todacheene, Albuquerque PD forensic photographer, is at a crisis point in her career. Her colleagues are watching her with suspicion after the recent revelation that she can see the ghosts of murder victims. Her unmanageable caseload is further complicated by the fact that half the department has blacklisted her for ratting out a corrupt fellow cop. And back home in Tohatchi on the Navajo reservation, Rita’s grandma is getting older. Maybe it’s time for her to leave policework behind entirely—if only the ghosts will let her.

©2024 Ramona Emerson (P)2024 Recorded Books

Worth a read but had some challenges

I’ve read both of Ramona Everson’s novels. She’s a great writer and an incredibly talented native female voice.

The good-I really understood the psychosphere of Gallup-the weather, the hopelessness, the mix of people, the ugly colonial past, et cetera.

Here’s what didn’t work for me:
Having a single narrator read the female protagonist and the male antagonist didn’t work. You didn’t need a Navajo speaker to do the male voice, so just get a second actor…

Rushed conclusion-the two central elements of the story collided in the last two hours of the book. And it happened entirely by accident before launching into what felt like a Hollywood chase sequence. Felt perfunctory.

Plot lines that went nowhere-the initial murder involving the corrupt Albuquerque detective….why? What did that catalyze and where did it go? And what about the random love interest that shows up in the last hour of narration?

It’s a good read. Definetly worth a credit, but I wasn’t blown away.

Great Story

A wonderful continuation of the story from the first book Shuuter. I absolutely can't wait to see what Ramona writes next. I enjoy crime and mystery stories, I love the focus on the relationships in this series, and relate to the relationship of the main character and her grandmother so much. I highly recommend giving this audiobook a listen, if you also enjoy family and crime or mystery stories, the story is a wonderful mixture of both of these.

Spoiler Alert!


Some of my favorite chapters were the ones from the killer's perspective the author does a great job of allowing the character to define his intentions/reasons for his actions. Although the actions are horrible and definitely not justified, you will find understanding of how his fractured mind is able to arrive to the delusional conclusions that he does.

Her story and that it takes in my hometown of Albuquerque and surrounding areas.

I loved all of it! And I also believe that we are not alone, for there are restless souls and loved ones that have passed always watching us.

The details in the story—- orange face colored by the cigarette light

Liked the details of the descriptions of the world around the characters. The crime mystery and the short stories of the background lives of the characters

Love this series

Love is not the right word. The story is gripping and interesting but too disturbing to be loved. I do want much more though. Bring her back.

Great story and unfolding of the story.

I love the depth of each character and how they were woven into the landscape of history and trauma. This next chapter for Rita and her struggle with continuing in a career she is good at even though it is destroying her. Ramona did it again keeping the audience riveted and wanting more.

Great concept

This second book in the series is a dark and depressing story but I loved the first book and the concept of seeing ghosts to help in her work as a photographer is quite intriguing. I will continue following our main character through her journey using her Navajo traditions to help deal with her amazing gift.

Solid sequel

Just as entertaining as the first one and I hope this becomes a long series

dual story lines

The cultural references are amazing.. both Dinè and Hospanic references are spot on and so are the landscape discriptions.

Great follow-up to 1st book!

Love the culture, the characters and the narrator! Hope that there will be more to follow! Definite recommend!!