In February 2009, a dog walker on Albuquerque's western edge uncovered a human bone. That discovery led to the largest homicide investigation in New Mexico's history: eleven women, buried in shallow graves across the barren mesa, their disappearances stretching back to the early 2000s. The case remains unsolved.Desert of Names: The West Mesa Burials traces this haunting story from the first excavation to the families' unrelenting search for justice. At its center are the lives of the women-mothers, daughters, and sisters who were more than the circumstances of their deaths. Their names and stories anchor a narrative that explores forensic investigation, policing, community trauma, and the city's struggle to reckon with violence against its most vulnerable.With a clear, fact-driven voice, Sky Adler restores dignity to those lost, situating Albuquerque's tragedy within larger patterns of systemic neglect and resilience. This book is not a tale of mystery for entertainment but a record of grief, remembrance, and unfinished justice in the American Southwest.