- Paperback: 224 pages
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; New edition edition (25 Mar 1993)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0140177299
- ISBN-13: 978-0140177299
- Product Dimensions: 17.8 x 11 x 1.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,396,241 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police is joined by Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn in a murder investigation that leads them into the dark world of Navajo witchcraft. Three pins, identifying three unsolved homicides, remain in Joe's wall map until the two detectives join forces.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This Tony Hillerman novel is one of his finest, and the first pairing of young Navajo Tribal Police Officer Jim Chee and the legendary Lt. Joe Leaphorn. It begins with a shotgun blast into sleeping Jim Chee's trailor and he and Leaphorn slowly come together in an effort to figure out how the attempt on Chee's life ties together with two other murders in the sprawling Indian territory they have jurisdiction over.
The seasoned Leaphorn begins to have respect for the smart young Chee as they work on different ends to solve this mystery. Leaphorn has his own personal problems to deal with as well in this one as his beloved wife of so many years may have the onset of Alzheimer's disease. It is a distraction he can't afford as things become more and more dangerous and both he and Chee will be lucky to survive this case.
Sprinkled throughout this complex and entertaining mystery novel are insights into the Navajo people. The way they speak, their customs and broad family ties, stretching from tribe to tribe with the finest thread, are all explored within the confines of Leaphorn and Chee's investigation. But the thread that may tie everything together is something the older Leaphorn despises, and the younger Chee embraces. That 'something' is the complex mythology of Navajo witchcraft. You see, the killings may involve something very ancient in the Navajo culture, a Skinwalker.
This is simply a great read. It has a languid pace at first that becomes more and more urgent and involving as the body count starts to rise and the good police work of Leaphorn and Chee may not be enough to save either of them. Chee is getting noticed for his smart police work in the New Mexico desert but he is also getting noticed as an Hataalli (medicine man) who can perform 'The Blessing Way' and it plays an integral part in this great book.
This book is like an orange soda on a hot day in the New Mexico desert, welcome and refreshing. Hillerman added a lot of character depth to Leaphorn and Chee and an even more special Navajo flavor than usual to create what many feel is the best in this series. It's hard to argue after reading this one but it will certainly make you want to read more, especially A Thief of Time, which is also highly thought of by fans of this series.
This was the first of Hillerman's series about Navajo Tribal Police Officers Leaphorn and Chee I've read and I'm glad I started with this one. A Thief of Time is now high on my list of things to read. Maybe that's the best recommendation I can give this book. It will make you want to read more. Start here with Skinwalkers and you'll find a nice suprise...
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
"Sun will be created - They say he has planned it all."
Skinwalkers are witches in the Navaho legends and can fly or turn themselves into a dog or wolf. This mystery involves the conflict between Skinwalkers and shamen and belegana medicine. Then again it may be a straight forward set of independent murders. In any event it looks like some one is out to kill Navajo Tribal Police Officer Jim Chee and he has not got a clue as to why.
As with all of Tony Hillerman's stories you have the feeling you are there. In fact if you have visited or live in the area (Four Corners canyons) that the mystery takes part in, you will be better able to identify with the people and landmarks. And as with his other books there is an overt and covert story.
I have read the book but the addition of the voice of George Guidall ads a dimension to the story by helping visualize the people and correcting pronunciation of certain words. I suggest you read the book and listen to the recorded version.
...The book is much more in depth and the motive and additional characters made the mystery much more intriguing.
Skinwalkers are witches in the Navaho legends and can fly or turn themselves into a dog or wolf. This mystery involves the conflict between Skinwalkers and shamen and belegana medicine. Then again it may be a straight forward set of independent murders. In any event it looks like some one is out to kill Navajo Tribal Police Officer Jim Chee and he has not got a clue as to why.
As with all of Tony Hillerman's stories you have the feeling you are there. In fact if you have visited or live in the area (Four Corners canyons) that the mystery takes part in, you will be better able to identify with the people and landmarks. And as with his other books there is an overt and covert story.
I have read the book but the addition of the voice of George Guidall ads a dimension to the story by helping visualize the people and correcting pronunciation of certain words. I suggest you read the book and listen to the recorded version.
...The book is much more in depth and the motive and additional characters made the mystery much more intriguing.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Officers Jim Chee and Luitenant Joe Leaphorn are at it again as they try to solve three seemingly unconnected homocides. The action begins when Jim Chee is shot at while he is sleeping in his trailer. As Chee and Leaphorn work together, they are begining to unravel a mystery that has to do with Skinwalkers. When Chee is called out to do a Blessing Way, he gets more than he bargained for. So if you are in the mood for a good murder mystery, may I suggest Skinwalkeers by Tony Hillerman.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Brilliant, out of the ordinary thriller
In the middle of the night someone tries unsuccessfully to kill Navajo police officer Jim Chee by putting three shotgun blasts through the wall of his trailer. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Aidan J. McQuade
"Sun will be created - They say he has planned it all."
Skinwalkers are witches in the Navaho legends and can fly or turn themselves into a dog or wolf. This mystery involves the conflict between Skinwalkers and shamen and belegana... Read more
Published on 4 April 2010 by bernie
Skinwalkers excellent Hillerman
"Sun will be created - They say he has planned it all."
Skinwalkers are witches in the Navaho legends and can fly or turn themselves into a dog or wolf. Read more
Skinwalkers are witches in the Navaho legends and can fly or turn themselves into a dog or wolf. Read more
Published on 30 May 2005 by bernie
a light mystery evokes Navajo country
On my second Hillerman mystery I am struck by how simple and easy his prose is: schoolkids could easily read and enjoy this writing. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 1998
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