Reviews

The First Eagle by Tony Hillerman

juliaem's review against another edition

4.0

What can I say, I love Leaphorn & Chee! I read this over a very gray and rainy few days in the Pacific Northwest, so it was really nice to be transported mentally to the sunny Southwest (although Hillerman is also adept at capturing the drama of a desert thunderstorm). These mysteries are so reliable - good plot, main characters you really root for, and respectful cultural detail (Google tells me that the Navajo Nation gave Hillerman their "Special Friend of the Dineh" award in 1987 for the strength and dignity of Navajo culture he accurately captured; this novel also has elements of Hopi culture). My only quibble is that I could have done without the romance piece - it is aligned with their personalities for both Chee & Janet Pete to be reserved with each other, but their guarded distance is distractingly painful in this book and much less fun to read than the other elements of the plot. This was also an interesting time to read this particular novel, because the plot centers around the threat of pandemic disease. I wish it felt more speculative than it does in 2021.

linda48's review against another edition

5.0

Another great mystery from Tony Hillerman. Well-developed characters, clues abound, but it's up to the reader to see if they can figure out whodunnit. I got it wrong. Again.

terppsi's review against another edition

3.0

The antibiotic resistant bacteria stuff was a bit too militant at times, but I always love these navajo mysteries. Hillerman has a knack for characters.

grumpy_dragon_48's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

uncle_remus's review against another edition

5.0

I love the uneasy dynamic between Leaphorn and Chee, and how both crimes these stories intertwine crimes in which Leaphorn is at one end and Chee at the other and they gradually pull their way together to solve both (whether or not they are committed by the same person). Their dynamic is not competitive (prosecutor versus defendant; although there is that between Chee And Janet Pete), it is supportive but not truly collaborative (like Navajo Batman (older experienced Leaphorn) and Robin (able, smart, young Chee)).

This one involves the plague and hantavirus, always a favorite topic for me.

This one does tend to get a little to deep in the biology; well-researched but unnecessary to the plot in the depth presented.

4.5/5 rounded up to 5.

deborama's review against another edition

3.0

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11504044

medoyle7980's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

rsoccer70's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

northerly_heart_reads's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

omnibozo22's review against another edition

4.0

The mystery was better than many of his books, but the obvious thing to do, despite being waved in front of us several times, was postponed into much too late in the story. Of course, since the entire thing was wrapped up in about 20 more pages, the information had to be withheld... or he could have been a better plotter.