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cathydavies's review against another edition
5.0
Rereading because I needed something thoughtful and yet escapist. I obviously need to go back and reread all of Hillerman's books.
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy Hillerman's books, and this was no exception. This book reminded me of how far apart towns are out West. Just reading the sheer number of hours spent traveling makes me tired.
The parallel investigations of Chee and Leaphorn make for an unusual plot structure.
The parallel investigations of Chee and Leaphorn make for an unusual plot structure.
coreysehr's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
roshk99's review against another edition
3.0
Classic Hillerman, the period detail makes the book and the plot is secondary
staticdisplay's review against another edition
4.0
fewer descriptions of nature... a little bit less atmospheric... still, the mystery moves along at a good pace and it seems like Leaphorn and Chee are gradually getting closer and closer to working together? I'm glad this one walked it back from some of the super high stakes action thriller stuff going on in a few of the previous books.
shaunasbooks's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
srash's review against another edition
4.0
This was a pretty solid book. Chee and Leaphorn find themselves working on the same case, though not really working together, in the wake of a Navajo officer being killed in the line of duty. I particularly liked how Hillerman worked in the Navajo mythology about coyotes, and I thought the inclusion of an academic subplot was pretty realistic in its own way.
I'd assumed Chee and Leaphorn would become a team after Hillerman started pairing them up, and part of me is disappointed they don't have that kind of relationship, while another part of me is impressed Hillerman seems so determined to avoid that trope. I don't think I've ever read another mystery series about two protagonists where they're not friends or work partners or frenemies.
My goal was to get to Book 10 and the series, and now that I have, I'm going to take a pause to read other things, but I'd like to finish the series at some point. They're really enjoyable reads, with interesting and likable characters and an iconic setting that's well rendered.
I'd assumed Chee and Leaphorn would become a team after Hillerman started pairing them up, and part of me is disappointed they don't have that kind of relationship, while another part of me is impressed Hillerman seems so determined to avoid that trope. I don't think I've ever read another mystery series about two protagonists where they're not friends or work partners or frenemies.
My goal was to get to Book 10 and the series, and now that I have, I'm going to take a pause to read other things, but I'd like to finish the series at some point. They're really enjoyable reads, with interesting and likable characters and an iconic setting that's well rendered.
jbb42's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5