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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.
amberdebo's review against another edition
4.0
I have started reading whatever Hillerman novels I can find at used bookstores after reading his Navajo Mysteries novel set in Chaco Canyon, where I lived as a National Park Ranger for over a year. I became very good friends with many Navajo and Pueblos and traveled all over the places mentioned in his books, which has made me enjoy them more. (I even have the AAA "Indian Country" map Leaphorn is so found of). The Four Corners area is at first glance bleak and desolate, especially to a just out imof college, East Coast, 22 year old bilagaàna, as i was then. But there's something about it...it seaps into your soul, and the beauty sneaks up on you, and 9 years later you'll find yourself "homesick" for the region after reading these books.
regarding this particular book, I find it to be much more compelling if one considers that it was first published in 1978...so the American Indian Movement and 2nd Wounded Knee weren't just found in the pages of history books lile they are now: they were probably still front page news, having only just occured when the book was published. It adds another dimension when thought of like that.
regarding this particular book, I find it to be much more compelling if one considers that it was first published in 1978...so the American Indian Movement and 2nd Wounded Knee weren't just found in the pages of history books lile they are now: they were probably still front page news, having only just occured when the book was published. It adds another dimension when thought of like that.
julie_sapienza's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
acarman1's review against another edition
5.0
One drawback to discovering an author years after they started writing, or in Hillerman's case years after his death, is that you can't always read in order. I've read later installations where Joe Leaphorn is referred to as "The Legendary Lieutenant" and this book tells us a little bit about why. In addition to his erudition, Leaphorn was a badass. I picked this up after learning that the new television series, Dark Winds, was based mostly on this novel. While the novel doesn't mention Leaphorn's wife like the show does or introduce Jim Chee or Bernie Manuelito, it shows us how Leaphorn achieved his reputation, putting life and limb on the line to defeat a group of extremists murdering their way across Navajo Nation. I won't post spoilers but once again Hillerman notes the very Navajo way that Leaphorn chooses to fight evil, keeping himself away from the more Eurocentric ideals of public justice. He recognizes who might still be saveable.
tabithar's review against another edition
4.0
This book was harder to get into, had less consistent pacing, and involved less character building compared to book 2. That said, this book was good and once I got past the 50-60% mark, it was very engaging. I liked the way he used knowledge about locations/tribal native American history/situations to unpack Joe's thought/problem solving process.