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Navajo History and Culture
Calling Tsela follows a Navajo Nation police officer nearing retirement who discovers his ex-wife and best friend have been murdered and sets out into the desert to find their killer. What was the initial idea behind this story, and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
The initial idea behind the story was to highlight the human condition and human struggles. Struggles with fear, how we perceive ourselves and how we react to tragedy. No matter how we define ourselves, invariably, others define you differently. So, whose definition of who you are is correct? As one looks at himself and the life he/she has lived, does one’s perception align with that which others have of you and your life? Sometimes, the most accurate mirror to our souls is held by outsiders.
As I wrote this book, I became increasingly interested in Navajo history and culture, both past and present. It was always meant to be a book about supernatural intervention, and a man’s struggle to find peace within himself, but the theme became progressively important as I discovered how to weave it into traditional Navajo spiritual beliefs and practices.
I found Tsela Adakai to be an intriguing character. What was your inspiration for this character?
My inspiration for Tsela was me. While examining my life, I realized that I wasn’t as bad as I thought I was. All my transgressions were a mere blip on the radar of human experience. The scene where Tsela listens to the executioners’ deeds is an example of how Tsela’s image of his own life was put into a new perspective. He thought he was a terrible person before understanding the breadth and depth of our human experience. In the end, he realized that in the grand scheme of things, his past deeds were rather benign, and he deserved happiness.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
I wanted to explore the topics of fear and self-loathing in addition to the idea that life goes on past our physical death. We have guides who are here to help us if we just listen to them and focus on awareness. I wanted to educate the reader on Navajo history and culture. I wanted to show how a person like Leo could start out life as a middle-class, suburban girl and transform into a homeless drug addict. She, like many others, slid so slowly into the darkness of that world, that the journey from straight and sane to drug-addled and dependent went largely unnoticed by her, yet obvious to everyone else.
I find a problem with well-written stories in that I always want there to be another book to keep the story going. Is there a second book planned?
Although my first novel The Ring Of Corlan became a trilogy (The Ulian Chronicles), Calling Tsela is a stand-alone novel. Maybe my next book Wilder’s Wish will evolve into another trilogy.
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A science fiction, action, thriller with a supernatural twist
Navajo Nation police officer Tsela Adakai
hopes for a quiet retirement, but he’s not
going to get it. The Navajo spirits are calling,
and they won’t take no for an answer. When
his ex wife and his best friend are murdered,
he sets his sights on revenge. But things get
messy when drug gangs and the CIA
show up in town. When the killer he’s chasing
heads out into the desert, Tsela goes after him.
But what he doesn’t know is that the gangs
and the CIA are close behind. Now he is both
the hunter, and the hunted in a violent and
surreal desert chase. Will the Navajo spirits
help him get his man, or will the gangs and
The CIA get to him first?
Calling Tsela
Calling Tsela is a rich blend of historical fiction, spiritual exploration, and modern-day crime drama, centered around the Navajo Nation and its people. The book weaves together two narratives: one of a silver mine in 19th-century Navajo country, full of mysticism and legend, and the other of a Navajo cop in the present day dealing with visions, crime, and his cultural roots. Tsela, the protagonist, finds himself drawn into a spiritual journey that connects the past to the present, as he uncovers the mysteries surrounding Navajo traditions, crime on the reservation, and his own haunting visions.
I was immediately captivated by the vivid descriptions of the Navajo landscape and the seamless way the author brings historical context into the story. The opening chapter drops you right into the 1800s with a gripping tale of Mortimer Cade’s quest for a lost silver mine, setting the stage for the entire novel. Thompson’s ability to contrast this historical narrative with the present-day struggles of Tsela is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The way he uses the landscape as a backdrop for both eras creates a sense of timelessness. I found myself emotionally invested in Tsela’s internal struggle as he tries to reconcile his duties as a cop with his connection to his Navajo heritage.
Thompson’s writing shines brightest in the personal moments, especially during Tsela’s peyote ceremonies and visions. The surreal, almost hallucinogenic quality of these passages was mesmerizing, yet it still felt deeply rooted in the spiritual realities of the Navajo culture. Tsela’s encounter with the zebra-man and his subsequent vision of a murdered woman were particularly powerful. These moments brought an intensity and urgency to the story that had me questioning what was real and what was part of Tsela’s spiritual journey. The balance between reality and the supernatural was handled with finesse, never feeling over the top but always keeping me on edge. The crime drama element was intriguing, though at times it felt a bit disconnected from the more mystical parts of the novel. While Tsela’s role as a Navajo police officer grounds the story in the real world, I did feel like the pacing slowed down during the investigation scenes. The gritty reality of gang violence, drugs, and murder was well-portrayed, but I found myself more drawn to the spiritual and cultural aspects of the book. Still, I appreciated how Thompson did not shy away from depicting the harsh realities faced by the Navajo community today. The loss of culture, crime, and economic hardship gave the novel a layer of depth that enhanced Tsela’s personal struggles.
Calling Tsela is a multi-layered novel that seamlessly blends Navajo history, spirituality, and modern-day issues into a compelling narrative. Thompson’s evocative writing, combined with a unique storyline, makes this a book that will resonate with readers interested in indigenous cultures, mystical storytelling, and crime fiction. I’d highly recommend it to those who enjoy stories that challenge the boundaries between the seen and unseen, and anyone who appreciates a deep dive into cultural heritage.
Pages: 372 | ASIN : B0B2TPRS6P
LITERARY TITAN 