Skinwalkers

This one's all about witchery in the Navajo nation. Leaphorn & Chee have to track down who's committed 3 homicides on the reservation where homicides hardly take place. Hillerman does his usual best with atmosphere and character development.

"Skinwalkers" is the 7th novel in Tony Hillerman's "Leaphorn & Chee" series. It's also the first book featuring both Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee at the same time. Surprisingly, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would. All the good Hillerman qualities are there. But, there were a few things that bothered me. First, Hillerman has gotten Leaphorn promoted up to mostly desk work. He does some field work, but a lot of his activity in the book is dedicated to management. It's not a bad thing, it's just that I like how he behaves in the field better. Second, I got a bit frustrated with the mystery. It seemed pretty self-evident who did it fairly early in the book. Yet, not only do our detectives not see it for quite some time, it takes Leaphorn a while to put it together even when he has all the pieces. And, finally, the book just wasn't as comfortable to read as the previous ones. I'm pretty sure it's because both Leaphorn and Chee have some less-than-pleasant things happening to them. I really don't like rating the book at just an OK 3 stars out of 5, but I can't justify giving it a full 4 stars either. Call it 3-1/2.

Hillerman's "Leaphorn & Chee" novels are:

1. The Blessing Way
2. Dance Hall of the Dead
3. Listening Woman
4. People of Darkness
5. The Dark Wind
6. The Ghostway (Jim Chee Novels)
7. Skinwalkers
8. A Thief of Time
9. Talking God
10. Coyote Waits
11. Sacred Clowns: Novel, A
12. The Fallen Man
13. The First Eagle
14. Hunting Badger
15. The Wailing Wind
16. The Sinister Pig
17. Skeleton Man
18. The Shape Shifter

Skinwalkers are witches in the Navaho legends and can fly or turn themselves into a dog or wolf. This mystery involves the conflict between Skinwalkers and shamen and belegana medicine. Then again, it may be a straightforward set of independent murders. In any event, it looks as if some one is out to kill Navajo Tribal Police Officer Jim Chee and he does not have a clue as to why.

As with all of Tony Hillerman's stories, you have the feeling you are there. In fact if you have visited or live in the area (Four Corners canyons) that the mystery takes part in, you will be better able to identify with the people and landmarks. In addition, as with his other books there is an overt and covert story.

I have read the book but the addition of the voice of George Guidall on recordings adds a dimension to the story by helping visualize the people and correcting pronunciation of certain words. I suggest you read the book and listen to the recorded version.

I first saw the TV version of Skinwalkers with Robert Redford. He has a habit of redfordizing stories for his own agenda. This book was so strongly written that I thought Redford did not have a chance to modify it. I was wrong.

The book is much more in depth and the motive and additional characters made the mystery much more intriguing.

The Dark Wind (Jim Chee Novels)

Finally, in "Skinwalkers (Navajo Mysteries 7)," Hillerman begins the process of bringing his two protagonists together. Whereas in Hilllerman's first three Navajo Mystery novels, Lt. Joe Leaphorn is the main character; the next three - books 4, 5, & 6, introduce Sgt. Jim Chee, a young reservation law enforcement officer who struggles to find balance between the traditional ways of the Navajo and the white man's world. A standoffish relationship is seen between the two Navajo Policemen; they have heard of each other, but do not really know one another. By the end of the book, their relationship is ripe to develop as they will grow and evolve in future novels. The setting is in and around Four Corners, New Mexico; once again Hillerman offers us Navajo (and Native American) folklore and culture in an interesting and informative manner. Hillerman's ability to create believable local color helps capture the reader's interest.

"Skinwalkers" begins quickly with someone blowing three holes into Chee's trailer at night with a shotgun - right where his bed was! There are other murders which compounds the mystery: Who tried to kill Jim Chee? Who killed the others? What do little "bone beads" have to do with this? It appears that is deals with "Skinwalkers," that is, witches and shape-shifters. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are not sidekicks; they don't really know each other well. Matter-of-fact, Leaphorn is a bit suspicious of Chee due to the "why?" of the attempt on Chee's life. Regardless, they do work loosely together at first, with Leaphorn keeping an eye on Chee. But the mysteries build, and death continues to stalk the Navajo land.

The book is a fast read and is the best of Hillerman's series to date, especially as he is bringing the two men together. The mystery has suspense, twists, turns, and some surprises, depending on how cardfully you read. As always, the feel of the Navajo culture and the conflicts with the surrounding culture is present. A continuing sub-plot in this book is Chee's struggle between the Navajo and white cultures; specifically, his struggle with his love of Mary Landon and whether he really wants to join the FBI and leave Navajo country (as she wishes) or remain on Navajo land and learn "the way." I look forward to reading more and watching the characters of Leaphorn and Chee grow and develop trust and a partnership in books to come.

Those looking for a great mystery series who have yet to discover Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are in for a treat with Skinwalkers. Tony Hillerman created an entire genre with these novels, and though they've been copied, no one has ever quite found the blend of Native American beliefs and traditions and modern day mystery Hillerman perfected. Skinwalkers is one of Hillerman's finest pairings of young Navajo Tribal Police Officer, Jim Chee, and the legendary Lt. Joe Leaphorn. This one begins when a shotgun blast into Jim Chee's trailer brings he and Leaphorn together in an effort to figure out how the attempt on Chee's life ties together with two other murders in the sprawling Indian territory they have jurisdiction over.

The seasoned Leaphorn begins to have respect for young Chee as they work on different ends to solve this mystery. Leaphorn has his own personal problems to deal with as well in this entry; his beloved wife may have the onset of Alzheimer's disease. It is a distraction he can't afford when things become more and more dangerous. Sprinkled throughout this complex and entertaining mystery novel are insights into the Navajo people, from the way they speak to their customs and broad family ties. But the thread that may tie everything together is something the older Leaphorn despises, and the younger Chee embraces. That aspect of the investigation is the complex mythology of Navajo witchcraft. You see, the killings may involve something very ancient in the Navajo culture, called a Skinwalker.

This is simply a great read. It starts in a languid pace which takes on an urgency as the body count starts to rise and the good police work of Leaphorn and Chee may not be enough to save either of them. Chee is getting noticed for his smart police work in the New Mexico desert, but he is also getting noticed as an Hataalli (Medicine Man) who can perform The Blessing Way, and it will play an integral part in this great book. Skinwalkers is like an orange soda on a hot day in the New Mexico desert. A fine entry in a series mystery fans will devour.

Skinwalkers are witches in the Navaho legends and can fly or turn themselves into a dog or wolf. This mystery involves the conflict between Skinwalkers and shamen and belegana medicine. Then again, it may be a straightforward set of independent murders. In any event, it looks as if some one is out to kill Navajo Tribal Police Officer Jim Chee and he does not have a clue as to why.

As with all of Tony Hillerman's stories, you have the feeling you are there. In fact if you have visited or live in the area (Four Corners canyons) that the mystery takes part in, you will be better able to identify with the people and landmarks. In addition, as with his other books there is an overt and covert story.

I have read the book but the addition of the voice of George Guidall on recordings adds a dimension to the story by helping visualize the people and correcting pronunciation of certain words. I suggest you read the book and listen to the recorded version.

I first saw the TV version of Skinwalkers with Robert Redford. He has a habit of redfordizing stories for his own agenda. This book was so strongly written that I thought Redford did not have a chance to modify it. I was wrong.

The book is much more in depth and the motive and additional characters made the mystery much more intriguing.

The Dark Wind (Jim Chee Novels)

Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee meet up in this thriller. Each of these 2 law enforement officers are dealing with their spouses having difficult times. For Leaphorn's Emma, doctors fear she may have Alzheimer's disease while Jim Chee's Mary Landon remains in Wisconsin to go to graduate school. Leaphorn and Chee must also team up to find the common thread in a series of four murders. Leaphorn and Chee both suffer gunshot wounds. Chee's far more serious than Leaphorns. A lightening fast reading 300 pages features Tony Hillerman's best suspense. The unique characters come alive off the pages. It's easy to tell Leaphorn and Chee dislike each other but mesh to solve murders. All in all another 5 stars out of a possible 5 stars, "Skinwalkers" is a hit that delivers a powerful punch. If you've never read any of Tony Hillerman's works you're missing something special. Stop waiting and jump right in !

I love Tony Hillerman. As a former resident of New Mexico, I treasure stories that take place in that state and within Navajo land because it’s all so quirky, and true! I had a feeling that this would be one of his best books because it was developed into a movie, even though I haven’t seen it. Skinwalkers are also one of the weirdest Navajo legends, which is that witches can take on new bodies. Are they responsible for three mysterious deaths in this crime novel? Hillerman’s work is unique for juxtaposing the Native American and belagano ways of understanding the world, and he usually does a fantastic job at this. While this seventh book in his Navajo Detective series is important for character development, it opens up to a lot of different characters in seemingly disparate situations which are pulled together rather hastily near the end. I haven’t read his stories in order, but rather read them as I’ve found them at used book stores, and my favorites so far have been Sacred Clowns and The Wailing Wind.

In the middle of the night someone tries unsuccessfully to kill Navajo police officer Jim Chee by putting three shotgun blasts through the wall of his trailer. Meanwhile Lt Joe Leaphorn is investigating three apparently unrelated homicides in different parts of the reservation. As Leaphorn's enquiries proceed he senses a link with the attack on Chee and so recruits his help to the investigation.

The contrasting personalities of traditional Jim Chee and more sceptical Joe Leaphorn are finely drawn - both deeply attractive characters, not perfect but complementary to each other in their professional skills and with imperfect but believable private lives as well. The detail and care of the characterisation enriches an absorbing plot and a beautifully plain style of writing.

Much of what I have written above could be said about many fine thrillers. But it is the rooting of this story in Navajo history and culture that makes it something truly out of the ordinary. This provides not just absorbing background to the plot but a context that is fundamental to understanding the motivations of the characters.

Having finished it, it is great to know there is more in this series, but sad to find out that Tony Hillerman died a few years ago - its like meeting a new friend only for them to disappear immediately.

SETUP
In Skinwalkers "legendary lieutenant" Joe Leaphorn and detective Jim Chee work in tandem for the first time to solve three seemingly disconnected murders in the area. Early in the investigation, Chee brings in Roosevelt Bisti. Bisti, who is dying of cancer, readily admits to one of the murders (a shooting), but the victim had died of stab wounds. A baby has been born in a clinic with anencephaly, a hopeless condition, but its desperate traditional parents believe that there is a cure. Chee himself barely escapes death when his house trailer is shot up, by someone who suspects Chee of being a "Navajo wolf", i.e., a witch (aka skinwalker). That's the setup.

SIDESTORIES
I don't normally mention sidestories in reviews, but they are important in "The First Eagle" and a few other novels in the series. In these, the mystery (and associated plot) is almost secondary, almost just a vehicle, for the poignant and insightful "sidestories".

Leaphorn's wife, Emma, is apparently succumbing to Alzheimer's. Chee's fiancee ("white" teacher) Mary Landon, writes him advising him of her decision to go to graduate school in Wisconsin, but Chee meets the no-nonsense "firecracker" public defender, (half-Navajo) Janet Pete who is defending Bisti. Chee is taking care of a semi-wild cat, which turns out to be pregnant.

COMMENTS ON SKINWALKERS
The proximate "mystery" in "Skinwalkers" is actually revealed at an early point (trust your sleuthing instincts), but the ultimate motivations remain a mystery until the end.

COMMENTS ON THE SERIES
In his Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee novels, Tony Hillerman, creates an almost "alternate reality", a world alien to most readers, but vividly filled with fascinating individuals and intriguing mysteries. The major "good guys", are very believable, likeable and admirable individuals (despite normal human flaws), who are easy for the reader to become emotionally attached to.

In addition to being younger and more impetuous (or hotheaded and impatient, in Leaphorn's view), Jim Chee differs from Joe Leaphorn in being a more traditional Navajo. Indeed, he has trained to be a "singer", that is, a shaman or healer. In "Skinwalkers" Chee is offered his first commission to perform a "sing" (other than a sorta "advertising" sing he did for a niece).

I suspect that many readers, like myself, privately wish that Hillermans novels were more lengthy. The ending always comes too soon. But that's a key to good writing--to leave the reader wanting more. Hillerman is a very "economical" writer. His novels are almost "long short stories" in which every word in the novel has a purpose. There is no filler. This is particularly important to mystery lovers--virtually every detail is a real clue--there are no "red herrings", per se. Although I would more than tolerate some filler, I still venerate Hillerman's sytle as that of a master--and superbly appropriate to his subject matter.

VERDICT
One of the best in a series of masterpieces.

> Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.

Those looking for a great mystery series who have yet to discover Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are in for a treat with Skinwalkers. Tony Hillerman created an entire genre with these novels, and though they've been copied, no one has ever quite found the blend of Native American beliefs and traditions and modern day mystery Hillerman perfected. Skinwalkers is one of Hillerman's finest pairings of young Navajo Tribal Police Officer, Jim Chee, and the legendary Lt. Joe Leaphorn. This one begins when a shotgun blast into Jim Chee's trailer brings he and Leaphorn together in an effort to figure out how the attempt on Chee's life ties together with two other murders in the sprawling Indian territory they have jurisdiction over.

The seasoned Leaphorn begins to have respect for young Chee as they work on different ends to solve this mystery. Leaphorn has his own personal problems to deal with as well in this entry; his beloved wife may have the onset of Alzheimer's disease. It is a distraction he can't afford when things become more and more dangerous. Sprinkled throughout this complex and entertaining mystery novel are insights into the Navajo people, from the way they speak to their customs and broad family ties. But the thread that may tie everything together is something the older Leaphorn despises, and the younger Chee embraces. That aspect of the investigation is the complex mythology of Navajo witchcraft. You see, the killings may involve something very ancient in the Navajo culture, called a Skinwalker.

This is simply a great read. It starts in a languid pace which takes on an urgency as the body count starts to rise and the good police work of Leaphorn and Chee may not be enough to save either of them. Chee is getting noticed for his smart police work in the New Mexico desert, but he is also getting noticed as an Hataalli (Medicine Man) who can perform The Blessing Way, and it will play an integral part in this great book. Skinwalkers is like an orange soda on a hot day in the New Mexico desert. A fine entry in a series mystery fans will devour.

"Skinwalkers" takes you into the mystical world of Navajo witchcraft. Somone tries to kill SGT Jim Chee, and then there are three unrelated? murders on the reservation, which puzzles the very logical thinking LT Joe Leaphorn. The story is fascinating, as Hillerman weaves the murder mysteries in and out of Navajo folklore. Hillerman shows the stark contrast of the white man's view of the world and the traditional Navajo view. As always, Hillerman draws on the terrain, weather, and Navajo culture into his whodunit tale. Always an education as well as entertainment.

Tony Hillerman's books are so much more than clever police procedurals set in an unusual setting exposing the reader to different cultures and beautiful landscapes. I found "Skinwalkers" a deeply affecting read, where his love and respect for Native American communities was matched by an extra-ordinary warmth for the characters he has created and their personal contexts. The murder mystery is secondary, what really counts in his writings is the deep insight he shares about people and place which is profoundly humanising. The people and communities he describes are not objects of passing curiosity, they are real, multi-dimensional human beings wrestling with the same day to day challenges as people anywhere in the world, drawing on a rich cultural past to help cope with complex contemporary pressures. An allround reading delight.

Hillerman's marvelous mysteries pit Officer Jim Chee and Lt. Joe Leaporn against a variety of nefarious evil doers. In "Skinwalkers" the two are brought together and must find out who is trying to kill Chee. Hillerman's intricate plots are set with colorful detail in the Navajo reservation areas of the southwest. Reading the stories yields an appreciation of the nation within a nation of the Navajo Indian. The two tribal policemen have adapted in different ways to life influenced by two cultures.
The pragmatic and more experienced Leaphorn reflects to himself: "Getting old, . . . He had reached the ridge and now the slope was downward. The thought didn't depress him, but it gave him an odd sense of pressure, of time moving past him, of things needed to be done before time ran out. Leaphorn considered this, and laughed. Most un-Navajo thinking. He had been around white men far too long."
Chee is more spiritual and embraces Indian mysticism. He strives to become a healer in addition to being a competent police officer. "Chee believed in penicillin and insulin and heart bypass surgery. But he also believed that something far beyond the understanding of modern medicine controlled life and death."
The complexity of character enriches these entertaining whodunit novels and makes them very satisfying reading.

Tony Hillerman's books are so much more than clever police procedurals set in an unusual setting exposing the reader to different cultures and beautiful landscapes. I found "Skinwalkers" a deeply affecting read, where his love and respect for Native American communities was matched by an extra-ordinary warmth for the characters he has created and their personal contexts. The murder mystery is secondary, what really counts in his writings is the deep insight he shares about people and place which is profoundly humanising. The people and communities he describes are not objects of passing curiosity, they are real, multi-dimensional human beings wrestling with the same day to day challenges as people anywhere in the world, drawing on a rich cultural past to help cope with complex contemporary pressures. An allround reading delight.

Hillerman's marvelous mysteries pit Officer Jim Chee and Lt. Joe Leaporn against a variety of nefarious evil doers. In "Skinwalkers" the two are brought together and must find out who is trying to kill Chee. Hillerman's intricate plots are set with colorful detail in the Navajo reservation areas of the southwest. Reading the stories yields an appreciation of the nation within a nation of the Navajo Indian. The two tribal policemen have adapted in different ways to life influenced by two cultures.
The pragmatic and more experienced Leaphorn reflects to himself: "Getting old, . . . He had reached the ridge and now the slope was downward. The thought didn't depress him, but it gave him an odd sense of pressure, of time moving past him, of things needed to be done before time ran out. Leaphorn considered this, and laughed. Most un-Navajo thinking. He had been around white men far too long."
Chee is more spiritual and embraces Indian mysticism. He strives to become a healer in addition to being a competent police officer. "Chee believed in penicillin and insulin and heart bypass surgery. But he also believed that something far beyond the understanding of modern medicine controlled life and death."
The complexity of character enriches these entertaining whodunit novels and makes them very satisfying reading.

I have enjoyed the mystery works by Tony Hillerman. I have read them, from "Fly On the Wall" to "Skinwalkers", in (almost)chronological order. This particular story took a different form than "The Ghostway", where more was said in the plot about the "bad guys" working together. Here in this thriller we have Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee working together for the first time. There is realism in their first encounter, which is refreshing. Hillerman does nothing in a predictable way. The characters live, move and have their being in a very well-described Navajo world. In Hillerman's words one hears the thunder, sees the ominous cloud formations, feels the oppresive heat of a day in New Mexico, endures the rain during the rescue attempt, etc.

The story moves quickly, yet never comes apart. And again I am educated about some aspect of the Navajo culture. My only disappointment is that this story lacked the excitement of "Ghostway". I recommend it highly, nonetheless.

Excellent book. I loved the descriptions of the Navajo culture and the scenery, the interesting and very human characters and quite suspenseful mysteries without gratuitous gore. All of Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee books are great.

Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman is a wonderful and intriguing action packed book filled with suspense, magic, and savage death! Multiple unsolved homicides bring Officer Jim Chee and Lt. Joe Leaphorn together to try to find a connection or reason for all the mindless killing. This compelling tale takes you into a world of Navajo Lore and strange curses. This book kept me on the edge of my seat every minute I was reading it and kept me guessing who did it! Whether Jim Chee was being shot at or Joe Leaphorn was incognito in enemy territory; it was suspenseful the whole way through! Reading Skinwalkers really makes you think, I was always trying to figure out who killed who and why throughout the whole book! It was nice to not have the answer be obvious. This was one of the best books I've read in a while because it is so captivating and thrilling! Although this is a wonderful book and I loved reading it, there are parts in the middle that get pretty dull. But if you love murder mysteries you will enjoy every grueling plot-twisting event! This was a truly excellent book and anyone who loves murder mysteries should read it.

This book is a good representation of what Hillerman does best, the intertwining of an intriguing mystery and the cultural insight into the Navajo life, religion, and traditions. This book also plays well on the lives of Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee and how Leaphorn is affected by the deterioration of his wife's mental capabilities after a lifetime of a loving marriage, and how Chee is affected by the separation from his longterm girlfriend. In Hillerman's most recent books these items have gotten somewhat out of hand, but in this book everything has its place. This is a very quick read, and an interesting mystery that may not keep you guessing til the very end, but will have you trying to piece it all together up to the last few pages. If you are looking for a solid Tony Hillerman book and don't want to start from the beginning, this is a great one to pick up.

As long time fans of Tony Hillerman know, Navaho Tribal Police officers Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn didn't always work together. In fact, for the first half dozen or so novels in Hillerman's series of mysteries, the two characters were pretty much independent of one another, starring in their own novels without the benefit of each others company (although Leaphorn does get a passing reference in the Jim Chee-centered People of Darkness). But all that changed with Skinwalkers, where for the first time Hillerman has his two principal characters work together side-by-side on a case, and in the process start what has to be one of the best Holmes-Watson combinations in all of literature.
The book starts out with a bang, literally. Someone fires three shots into Jim Chee's dilapidated trailer while he's inside, missing him by inches. Why someone would want to kill him he hasn't the faintest idea, but is there any connection between this and three unsolved murders on the Navaho reservation? And how, of all things, do reports of witchcraft and "skinwalkers" (the evil shape-changers of Navaho myth) fit into the puzzle? Lt. Leaphorn wants to know, Sgt. Chee can't let so personal a mystery go uninvestigated, and before long the two are navigating their way through that trademark intricate array of clues woven with Navaho folklore that have made Hillerman such a staple with mystery fans.
It's hard to dislike any of the novels in this series, and Skinwalkers is one of the best. The mystery is tight and interesting, the characters engaging, and there is that whole fascinating world of the Dinee, the Navaho people, that Hillerman so obviously loves to explore. Skinwalkers is especially a good place to start for those who have never read a Navaho Tribal Police novel before, because it is at the start of the Leaphorn & Chee combination that has dominated the series ever since (although don't forget to pick up those earlier novels!). Highly recommended.

I am reading this book for the second time, after having read all the others in order and enjoying every one of them. After the TV version I felt compelled to go back and re-read the book to find all the discrepancies and distortions that kept me shaking my fist at the TV screen and saying, "That wouldn't have happened that way!" Hillerman writes a good mystery; but, more than that, he evokes a time and place in his kindly and careful delineation of the Navajo culture of the Southwest. The tension among the various characters is sensitive and real. No stereotypes here. He is such a good writer that the writing does not draw attention to itself. There are no snags or quagmires to get in the way of the pure pleasure of a good story.
Meanwhile, Hillerman is teaching us about the Navajo people in a way that textbooks and lectures cannot.

This is the first Hillerman novel that I have read. I had his books recommended by more than one friend. I was skeptical. I wasn't sure how a non-native could capture the culture in a respectful, non-patronizing way. Hillerman exceeded all my expectations. The mystery drew me in, and the descriptions of Navajo culture and the impact of the culture were believable parts of the whole story. The narrative wove all the pieces together very well. Now, I will be recommending Hillerman books to my friends.

An unknown person tries to kill Navajo policemen Jim Chee and three apparently unrelated murders on the Navajo reservation puzzle Lt. Joe Leaphorn. The murders, it appears, all something to do with witches (skinwalkers).
"Skinwalkers" is the seventh book in the Navajo Detective series by Tony Hillerman. He wrote three books featuring Joe Leaphorn, then three featuring Jim Chee, and now he brings the two policemen together in the same book. Also, in this book, Hillerman introduces Janet Pete, an agressive Navajo lawyer, as a new love interest for Chee. Hillerman fans will be interested in this book to see how Leaphorn, methodical and reliable, and Chee, a bit flaky but brilliant, get along working together. The answer is: uneasily.
The mystery itself is not overly credible, but weaving the story in and around Navajo beliefs about skinwalkers is fascinating and, as always, Hillerman uses the backdrop of the violent weather and magnificient landscape of the Navajo reservation to frame his story. And as always Hillerman includes a goodly dose of instruction in Navajo etiquette and attitudes and demonstrates -- usually with good humor -- the ineptness of white policeman, especially the FBI, in the Navajo culture and environment.
If you haven't read Hillerman before, this is probably not the best book of the series. He has written more intriguing mysteries. But the settings of Hillerman's books are fabulous and Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are top caliber characters worthy of inclusion in a short list of the best detectives in fiction.

*Skinwalkers* is the novel that made Hillerman's reputation, and justly so. Everything comes together here: vivid and believable use of the supernatural that resolves at last into mundane reality, informed current events driving the plot, an intriguing puzzle intorduced on the first page, and a cast of characters we admire and respect.
Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are not sidekicks; they don't like each other very much, as a matter of fact. But with their two different perspectives on the conflict of Navajo values and the contemporary world, Hillerman gives us a convincing and entertaining picture of a world we can only experience secondhand.
The best book in the series is *A Thief of Time.* For complete reviews, visit my web site.

Jim Chee barely escapes becoming the fourth of a string of strange homicides plaguing the NTP. His investigation into the crimes takes him all around the reservation. Lt. Leaphorn is also trying to figure out this puzzle. Witchcraft and a shady doctor add elements to the story, making it significantly different than most murder mysteries.

What got me, were the touching moments where Leaphorn was with/thinking about his wife, describing how he was losing her to the unexplained folly of the human brain. This secondary storyline shows the Legendary Lt. in a place where many of the readers have been or will be in, making him an extremely compelling character in this volume.

And the setting is marvellous too. The book is set right smack in the middle of the Large Reservation in the State of Utah. This is the first book in the Joe Leaphorn/Jimmy Che series, and it certainly is a good one. These two wonderful detectives are caught in the middle of a bunch of murders that seem to lead back to witchcraft in the Navajo nation. Hillerman makes his setting come alive and the people in his books are real. In it we learn a lot of Navajo folklore. I think it will certainly be worth pursuing the other books in this series since Hellerman seems to make this world his own.

Another of Tony Hillerman's well researched novels. I am always surprised by how well he knows his subject and how descriptive he is. I discovered him once I came to live in Arizona and have been fascinated by his knowledge of Native American lore. Skinwalkers is yet another fascinating tale cleverly spun by the author. A must read, by anyone fascinated by the subject.

Tony Hillerman paints a picture of the Navajo peoples, their lands, and their beliefs. To really appreciate Hillerman's stories and characters you should read all of his Navajo Tribal Police books in the sequence he wrote them. He makes subtle references to past character quirks, events, and places that involves a devote Hilllerman reader into his tale.

This is my favorite, or at least among my favorites of Tony's books. Read it and you will read another of his books. Chee is the perfect protagonist. Hillerman is one of my favorites. Mark Reps, author, ZEB HANKS: Small Town Sheriff; Big Time Trouble series

When someone attempts to kill him Jim Chee goes to his new partner Joe Leaphorn. Three murders are similar to the attack on Chee. Tony Hillerman brings his two Navaho detectives together for the first time in an uneasy alliance, SKINWALKERS. Total opposites the two explore their heritage of witches (skinwalkers) in a fast paced police procedural sure to keep you turning the pages.
Nash Black, author of TRAVELERS.

Hillerman a bestselling author of fictional mysteries about the Navajo's and there ways, brings together another mysterious tale of ritual and witchcraft. "Skinwalkers" is a book as mysterious as it's name , leads you into the dark suspence of a person of wicked doings, a skinwalker. The story shows conflicts between the skinwalker and Officers Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn as they battle the dark and mysterious ways of the evil skinwalker.
Hillerman has proven that he's taken the time to go into the Navajo culture - good and evil. The story also shows great imagery in talking about the Navajo's traditional doings and also the ways of the wicked and very mysterious skinwalker. I would recomend this book to those who like mysterious and yet interesting ways of a different culture.

Oklahoma's own Tony Hillerman shines brightly with "Skinwalkers", the first of the Leaphorn/Chee mysteries to put the two characters together in the same book. One of the best novels from one of the most brilliant writers of the past 35 years. VERY highly recommended!

Three dead with no immediate sign that their murders were connected. A masterful job of weaving the reasoning skills of Leaphorn with the cultural awareness of Chee to tie the murders together and crack the mysteries. My favorite Hillerman mystery so far.

Skinwalkers is just another example of Hillerman's ability to keep readers on the edge of their seats! A great tale of Officer Jim Chee and Lt. Joe Leaphorn. As always with Mr. Hillerman, the book pays acute attention to detail and provides a cultural lesson in anthropology including Navajo religion and social customs. Mystery, murder, suspense, and Hillerman's fantastic writing style make this a definite "Must Read!".

it looks ok and starts halfway interesting, but once you get 50 pages into the book it becomes unbearable. he walks around the desert trying to find some murderers. i had to read this for school and it was torture.

seriously, i picked this book up for summer reading, reading the description i figured ah cool its about a police officer blah, blah, blah. I actually didnt realize it was a book about a navajo police officer and another navajo police officer trying to solve like 6 murder cases. on paper it sounds interesting but overall its a pretty slow read i would recommend this book to pretty much anyone who hates themselves. hell get it as a gift for your in laws. :)