Shutter

Emerson’s debut, narrated by Oglala Lakota/Mohawk actor Charley Flyte, features Rita Todacheene, a Diné woman living and working in Albuquerque, NM, as a forensic photographer. Rita is gifted at her job, but she has been hiding an ability that aids her work— she can see ghosts. One such ghost, Erma, was thought to have died by suicide, but she insists that she was murdered and wants Rita to solve the case. In her search, Rita comes across ghosts, murderers, and corrupt police officers. While the paranormal plot is occasionally wearying, the descriptions of the crime scenes and investigatory process are riveting. Listeners will appreciate Flyte’s sensitive narration of flashbacks, depicting Rita’s experiences growing up with her grandmother on reservation. He believably brings out Rita’s stress and exhaustion, although his depiction of other characters is more one-dimensional.