Saturday, July 5, 2025

Exposure by Ramona Emerson

 


The plot:  Rita Todacheene is a forensic photographer with the Albuquerque police department. She can also see the ghosts of murder victims. And since her last case, when she almost died, the ghosts won't leave her alone. It's making her sick. She heads to her grandmother's house in Tohatchi hoping to find some healing on the Navajo reservation. But she gets drawn back into a murder investigation in Gallup, where a detective suspects that a serial killer is stalking and killing indigent Native Americans.

My thoughts:  I loved Emerson's first novel about Rita Todacheene; Shutter was a magical mix of Navajo myth and culture, mystery, suspense and ghostly hauntings. Rita is a fascinating character. This novel picks up where Shutter left off. It's more character-driven, with chapters alternating between Rita with all her current struggles and the serial killer's own story, which was more sad than creepy/scary. It also focuses on the plight of Native Americans in places like Gallup. It's both heartbreaking and enraging. This was a different mystery than what I was expecting, but it's a compelling read and I continue to be a fan of Rita Todacheene.  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Happy Reading!

24 comments:

  1. I have Shutter on my list to read, and I didn't realize there was a sequel. It sounds so good😁

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    1. I loved Shutter! I hope you get a chance to check that one out. It's so good. :D

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  2. This sounds like a really good series! I need to check it out. Great review, Lark! :D

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    1. Just another book for your TBR list. ;D

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  3. This series certainly sounds like something that would interest me. It's on my wanna read list.

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  4. It sounds very good. I would like to begin with Exposure but can it be read as a standalone or should one begin with Shutter?

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    1. I think it would really be better if you started with Shutter. It explains so much about Rita in that one that you kind of need to know for this one.

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  5. It's great that you liked it even though it was different from what you expected.

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    1. Rita's such a great character I didn't mind there was less mystery than I was expecting.

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  6. Glad you enjoyed it and will continue to explore this authors books :)

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    1. I do look forward to seeing what she writes next.

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  7. Happy reading.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  8. Happy to hear you enjoyed it even if it was a little different than you expected! :)

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    1. It was much more a character-driven story than mystery this time around. Which isn't a bad thing.

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  9. This does sound fun & I haven't read the series. Still thinking about rereading...I also reread several of Tony Hillerman's since I'd forgotten the solution and they were good as new. This might fit the same niche.

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    1. Tony Hillerman's books are so good. I could reread some, too. (And read some of the ones I never got to!) One of the things I like most about Emerson's books is how she immerses you in the setting in New Mexico and with the Navajo living there.

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  10. A forensic photographer who can see ghosts may be one of the most interesting main characters I've come across in awhile! I like the sound of this one and will have to look for it.

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    1. It's a good one! I do recommend reading Shutter first.

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  11. I don't know how I've missed these. I love Indigenous books, especially when they involve mysteries and detective ones.

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    1. Definitely check out Shutter. I think you'd really like that one!

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