An exploration of the Navajo Indians, discussing the nation's relationship with Spaniards and settlers, culture, crafts, and more.

The skeleton of a murder victim is discovered after more than a decade. Three hundred miles across the Navajo reservation, a canyon guide is shot and Joe Leaphorn, recently retired from the Navajo Tribal Police, thinks there is a connection between the shooter and the skeleton. Acting Lieutenant Jim Chee does not take an interest in the case until it hits too close to home.

Two young boys suddenly disappear. One of them, a Zuni, leaves a pool of blood behind. Lt. Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo Tribal Police tracks the brutal killer. Three things complicate the search: an archeological dig, a steel hypodermic needle, and the strange laws of the Zuni. Compelling, terrifying, and highly suspenseful, "Dance Hall of the Dead" never relents from first page til last.