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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book three in the Joe Leaphorn mystery series begins with Listening Woman trying to perform a cleansing / healing ritual for Hosteen Tso, an old man who refuses to divulge all he knows. The blind healer leaves Tso’s side for a few moments, during which time he is murdered. About six months later, Joe Leaphorn is nearly run off the road by a mystery man with a large dog in his car, there are reports of missing Boy Scouts, and people have reported seeing a helicopter (or helicopters) in the area.
I like Leaphorn; he’s smart, determined, physically and mentally strong, quick to respond to a threat but also deliberate and cautious. It took me quite a while to get into the rhythm of this mystery. The convoluted plot didn’t help much, and my attention wandered. Once Leaphorn got caught up in the chase, however, I was fully engaged and fairly flew through the second half of the book.
I like Leaphorn; he’s smart, determined, physically and mentally strong, quick to respond to a threat but also deliberate and cautious. It took me quite a while to get into the rhythm of this mystery. The convoluted plot didn’t help much, and my attention wandered. Once Leaphorn got caught up in the chase, however, I was fully engaged and fairly flew through the second half of the book.
s_a_g_e's review against another edition
4.0
Reading these Hillerman books for the first time has been a blast, and this one was no different. Out of the first three, the first one is still my favorite, but I intend to read them all, and this one was still great.
relf's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I hadn't read a Tony Hillerman book in a long time, but for my first trip to the Grand Canyon in a long time, it seemed an appropriate audiobook for traveling. It did not disappoint. Hillerman has a great detective character in Joe Leaphorn, and this story, involving two murders on the reservation, a long-lost helicopter, and a criminal offshoot of the American Indian Movement, is tense and suspenseful. One of Hillerman's best, and a reminder to go back and read or re-read more.
misterjay's review
4.0
This is a fun mystery that really picks up in the back half. The first half of the book is mainly Leaphorn driving around trying to put pieces of a murder mystery together, but in the second half, the action takes center stage as Leaphorn fights to stay alive in a battle against a pair of conman killers who may not be completely sane. It's a lot of fun to read. Recommended.
lavoiture's review against another edition
3.0
I really like Tony Hillerman's books. They're mysteries, but they are more interesting than normal mysteries. I appreciate the Navajo Reservation setting, and always feel like I learn a little something. Joe Leaphorn is a great character, too.
bookgardendc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
catrink's review against another edition
2.0
I normally enjoy Hillerman's Leaphorn/Chee mysteries, but it was difficult to finish this one. The 3rd of his books in this series, and the one I hadn't read, I found myself wondering at times who really wrote this book. Well, every book in a series isn't going to always reach the same level, and it IS one of the early ones.
sandin954's review against another edition
4.0
Third book in this classic series featuring Joe Leaphorn published back in 1978, this was a very entertaining weaving of Navajo culture with an exciting and suspenseful plot. Listened to the audio version narrated by the always great George Guidall.
misterjay's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun mystery that really picks up in the back half. The first half of the book is mainly Leaphorn driving around trying to put pieces of a murder mystery together, but in the second half, the action takes center stage as Leaphorn fights to stay alive in a battle against a pair of conman killers who may not be completely sane. It's a lot of fun to read. Recommended.