What is the setting of Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman?

The setting of Dance Hall of the Dead is integral to the story. The Navajo philosophy modeled by main character Joe Leaphorn could not have developed in anything but a natural setting. The Navajo way of life is tied to the earth, its cycles and to the indigenous plant, animal and insect populations. Thus the central philosophy of the book was developed ages ago in the vast natural landscape of the North American content. The landscape that gave birth to this philosophy has changed very little in the ensuing years. Joe Leaphorn knows all the same plants, animals and stars that his forefathers knew. However, the desert is a rough climate, and the lack of opportunity available to the modern-day Navajos in the book can partly be credited to this barren setting.

However, Leaphorn fulfills his Navajo destiny by finding his place in the harmony of life. He uses the hunting and tracking skills he has learned from his native habitat to become a successful local detective. Leaphorn's ability to track a man, animal or even a Zuni kachina god through this vast desert landscape is critically important to the story. Because of this, Leaphorn's character is a testament to Navajo wisdom, and his ability to find patterns in nature contributes greatly to his ability to solve crimes