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hthacher's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rustyduckmd's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jsaw22's review against another edition
4.0
Great second offering by Hillerman: he continues to illuminate the fascinating blend of cultures in the American Southwest while delivering a solid mystery at a crackling pace.
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
I had read the first of the Leaphorn and Chee books years ago and had always planned to read the entire series. But this was in the days of paperbacks from the airport bookstore and finding the next one in the series was something of a pain. And I'll be damned before I read a series out of order. But then the ebook revolution came along and well, here we are. The books were worth the wait.
Dance Hall of the Dead, in particular, moves fast and with character. And I do mean character. Each new character is introduced with just a few lines and yet within those few lines are everything we need to know about where they've come from and where they are now. And it's through revelations in character that the mystery unfolds until a climax that feels inevitable concludes the story. For now.
I've already ordered the next book in the series; hopefully I'll get to it before too many more decades have elapsed.
Dance Hall of the Dead, in particular, moves fast and with character. And I do mean character. Each new character is introduced with just a few lines and yet within those few lines are everything we need to know about where they've come from and where they are now. And it's through revelations in character that the mystery unfolds until a climax that feels inevitable concludes the story. For now.
I've already ordered the next book in the series; hopefully I'll get to it before too many more decades have elapsed.
bikes_books_yarn's review against another edition
4.0
This is the only Hillerman book I have read and I have it on my mental list of authors to read more of. When I worked in a book store I recomended Hillerman's books to people looking for good mysterys with confidence - a rare thing to be able to do when you have a stranger walk up to you and ask for a good mystery.
I was assigned this in a college course and was pleased that I flew through it. It was really enjoyable and I had a hard time putting it down. When someday comes and I get back to all these authors I know I like and am able to read a lot more I will start at the beginning (I think this was the second or third book with the main character Joe Leaphorn)and dig in.
I was assigned this in a college course and was pleased that I flew through it. It was really enjoyable and I had a hard time putting it down. When someday comes and I get back to all these authors I know I like and am able to read a lot more I will start at the beginning (I think this was the second or third book with the main character Joe Leaphorn)and dig in.
muhrrynn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
lottepot's review against another edition
3.0
“Where was home for the boy who dreamed of heaven?”
I enjoyed this but I think that I missed a lot of detail listening to it on audiobook. Will definitely look into the rest of the series
I enjoyed this but I think that I missed a lot of detail listening to it on audiobook. Will definitely look into the rest of the series
sandin954's review against another edition
3.0
Second book in the series and winner of the 1974 Edgar for Best Mystery, this provided a unique look at the Zuni religion and Navajo life. Leaphorn is a patient policeman and the plotting was fairly deliberate but the setting made this well worth the time. Listened to the audio version which was ably read by the always good George Guidall.
constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars
I have been reading Tony Hillerman books for almost 30 years. Now, with the help of Goodreads, I am going back and reading all the ones that I missed. I have enjoyed every single one, and strongly recommend this series, probably reading it in order, unlike me. Hillerman was so respected by his portrayal of the Navajo nation, that they adopted him into the tribe. In this book, Lt. Joe Leaphorn is assigned to look for a missing Navajo youth who may have been present at the murder of a Zuni youth.
Two more people die before Leaphorn solves the case. The book is filled with descriptions of Navajo & Zuni rituals and beliefs.
One quote--Dedication: "For Alex Atcitty and Old Man Madman and all the others who agree that Custer had it coming."
This was a library book. Thank goodness for interlibrary loan!!
I have been reading Tony Hillerman books for almost 30 years. Now, with the help of Goodreads, I am going back and reading all the ones that I missed. I have enjoyed every single one, and strongly recommend this series, probably reading it in order, unlike me. Hillerman was so respected by his portrayal of the Navajo nation, that they adopted him into the tribe. In this book, Lt. Joe Leaphorn is assigned to look for a missing Navajo youth who may have been present at the murder of a Zuni youth.
Two more people die before Leaphorn solves the case. The book is filled with descriptions of Navajo & Zuni rituals and beliefs.
One quote--Dedication: "For Alex Atcitty and Old Man Madman and all the others who agree that Custer had it coming."
This was a library book. Thank goodness for interlibrary loan!!
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
I had read the first of the Leaphorn and Chee books years ago and had always planned to read the entire series. But this was in the days of paperbacks from the airport bookstore and finding the next one in the series was something of a pain. And I'll be damned before I read a series out of order. But then the ebook revolution came along and well, here we are. The books were worth the wait.
Dance Hall of the Dead, in particular, moves fast and with character. And I do mean character. Each new character is introduced with just a few lines and yet within those few lines are everything we need to know about where they've come from and where they are now. And it's through revelations in character that the mystery unfolds until a climax that feels inevitable concludes the story. For now.
I've already ordered the next book in the series; hopefully I'll get to it before too many more decades have elapsed.
Dance Hall of the Dead, in particular, moves fast and with character. And I do mean character. Each new character is introduced with just a few lines and yet within those few lines are everything we need to know about where they've come from and where they are now. And it's through revelations in character that the mystery unfolds until a climax that feels inevitable concludes the story. For now.
I've already ordered the next book in the series; hopefully I'll get to it before too many more decades have elapsed.