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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Murder, Mystery, and Navajo Mysticism, 13 Jan 2003
By A Customer
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...
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by Tony Hillerman
by Tony Hillerman
by Tony Hillerman
by Tony Hillerman
by Tony Hillerman
