Beat cop and Urban Shaman Joanne Walker tries to put her nose to the grindstone and shun the supernatural whenever possible. Too bad that shunning the otherworld just isn't an option for her. Joanne made a choice to become a shaman and to except the responsibility that comes with it, and try as she might, she can't avoid her true nature. Although Joanne is powerful, she's unfocused and can't control her power. Shortly after her spirit guide Coyote disappears, she's approached by a woman who offers to teach her and guide her on her spiritual quest. Grateful, Joanne accepts her offer.

Back in the mundane world, Joanne stumbles across the dead body of a young woman in the university shower. Although ordered by her captain to leave the case alone, the case refuses to leave her alone. Not long after the murder, Joanne is contacted by a group of the dead woman's friends, who turn out to be a coven. A coven short one member now that their "mother" figure is dead. Joanne joins them without much arm twisting and with her captain's unofficial "go ahead and ask a few questions," she's on the case -- unofficial being the operative word.

Joanne's two worlds are about to collide with disastrous results...again. She's a babe in the woods -- albeit a powerful babe -- when it comes to facing the supernatural. Joanne needs to get a firm grip on her power, her self- confidence (or lack thereof) and apparently her ability to judge character. Not only important qualities for a cop, but a shaman, too. Traits that will not only help her in her professional life as one of Seattle's finest, but might keep her alive and out of trouble with the cosmos in general.

Not what you'd call action-packed, the murder plot unwinds slowly. Joanne's spiritual quest is always at the forefront here. Although I wasn't bored, I did find myself wishing for more of the "real" world murder case and less of the spirit guide/hero's journey. Still, I enjoyed THUNDERBIRD FALLS just as I'd enjoyed URBAN SHAMAN before it, and I won't hesitate to talk it up to friends and customers.