Coyote Waits opens with Chee's discovery of the shooting death of Delbert Nez, a friend and fellow policeman, and a character who has appeared in earlier Hillerman novels. Chee arrests the obvious suspect and precipitates another setback in his slowly developing relationship with Janet Pete, who is assigned to defend the suspect.

Still mourning the death of his wife Emma, and disillusioned with the lack of challenge in his career, Joe Leaphorn is beginning to contemplate retirement and a trip somewhere — to China or some other place equally exotic. His ennui terminates with the murder of Delbert Nez, and he embarks on an investigation that introduces him to Professor Louisa Bourebonette, a pleasant middle-aged academic who first irritates and then intrigues Leaphorn.

Detailed reference is made to the Blessing Way ceremony that Jim Chee has performed for Joe Leaphorn. Leaphorn commissioned the younger man's services...