Navajo Autumn: A Navajo Nation Mystery

Enchanting look at the world of modern day Navajo and Ute tribal views and customs mixed with the thrill of murder mystery artfully written. I highly recommend this book about two life-long friends from different tribal backgrounds, one involved in law enforcement for a reservation, the other seemly always in some sort of trouble, who team up to solve what looks like a frame job with murder on top.

Tony Hillerman is a tough act to follow. But Chappell is pretty good!! Great characters, very likeable and well developed. I did find the ending a bit abrupt but nothing that ruined the read. I am planning on reading the next book...already on my kindle.

I have found a new replacement author for the late Tony Hillerman and the late James D. Doss. R. Allen Chappell must be a cousin of my uncle, Buddie G. Chappell who owned Albuquerque Gravel for many years before his retirement, because one doesn't find many Chappells who spell their name that way....this book is a tightly written exciting murder mystery with great characters, scenery and drama, and I did buy the next two in the series!

For me, a lover of Tony Hillerman's Navajo mysteries, this is a natural continuation with new characters that get well developed, His second volume picks up on the characters and what has happened in the first in a more integrated way than Hillerman's mysteries. I look forward to finishing the second and reading the third.

Well......it ended suddenly. All the lose ends were tied up but a few more pages would have helped the on going character development.
I have bought all three. Am looking forward to the next in the series. The author told this Midwesterner things about the Indian culture he did not know.

Books about the Navaho culture has always been of interest because of the Native American wanting to retain the culture and beliefs they have had for eons.....I know this book was researched as the realisitic writing is accurate as to family connections in the Navaho culture. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to know how the Navaho Nation continues to this day.

Comparisons with Hillerman are unfair. Each author has his or her own unique voice. I very much like the voice used by author Chappell and I look forward to further books in the series. I like his spare writing style and the strong character development. This is a good read for those who enjoy Southwest fiction and the Native American aspects.

I was impressed with Chappell's work. It was well-written and kept my interest. I thought the dialogue was well constructed and believable and I liked the sense of understanding human behaviour and motivation. I have been looking for some new mystery series to explore and having a tough time because there is a lot of very poor writing out there. Chappell's works were refreshing and interesting.

Loved the main characters. They had very human faults and strengths. Loved how the action moved along smoothly. It was fast paced, but not so fast that it became hard to follow. The twists and turns kept me reading to the last page. I finished the book wanting more -- more. A great read and quite knowledgeable about reservation life.

My husband and I both enjoyed Navajo Autumn. The plot kept my interest and moved forward. The characters were real and there is just enough Native American background to add to a good story. I appreciated the glossary at the end to help better understand the next book. The sequel sample looks even more interesting.

First book I have read from this author. The plot is good but I really enjoyed his insights into Navajo culture, description of their lifestyle, and well developed characters. I am looking forward toknowing them better in futurebooks.

I love reading and books involving Native Americans and their culture are one of my favorite types of books to read. I've not found that many authors who handle the subject well. This is one of them that do. Good story line and characters.

So glad to have stumbled across this author's work. Nicely develops his characters and weaves (no pun intended) a great story of intrigue and adventure. I'm very familiar with the geography of the Navajo Nation which made this novel all that more interesting.

I enjoyed Mr. Chappell's relaxed, easy style. This novel definitely has the feel of the Big Reservation. The main characters are intriguing, the setting is evocative and the cultural elements are interesting.

Gary George / Author of The House of Three Murders

Thoroughly enjoyed this story. I am going to buy the next book in the series as soon as I finish this review. Reading and learning about other cultures is a delight when it's done with the respect that the author obviously has for the Navajo people.

Very interesting book with glimpses of modern life on the reservation while relating the history of past civilizations. the characters are well developed and are folks you'd like to know. On to book four.

Good book, easy reading, and fairly short in length. The story line is good; the author makes some jumps in the story, allowing you to figure out how the characters got from one point in the story to the next, and that isn't a problem. It'll make a fine movie someday.

Very interesting book with glimpses of modern life on the reservation while relating the history of past civilizations. the characters are well developed and are folks you'd like to know. On to book four.

Good book, easy reading, and fairly short in length. The story line is good; the author makes some jumps in the story, allowing you to figure out how the characters got from one point in the story to the next, and that isn't a problem. It'll make a fine movie someday.

Mr. Chappell does his usual fantastic job of creating the feeling and ambience of the Navajo culture. The descriptions of the land invoke memories of my travels through that country. Showing off the Navajo life style is a superb rendition of writing. Keep it up, kind sir!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Navajo Nation Mystery. It allowed me entry into the Navajo Culture while attempting to solve the mystery evolving throughout the book. There is always something that leads you astray. Good reading material for all ages.

This was a really good book. I was pleasantly surprised. The characters were well developed and enjoyable, the story very good, and it was hard to put down. You good see the countryside and the people like you could in Hillerman's books. Well done.

I have greatly enjoyed Hillerman and am thrilled to find an author that so reminds me of him. Great story. Great characters. I lived a while in Yuma and had Navajo friends, the pictures Chapell painted are so accurate. Great sense of humor, when the comments are shared! Otherwise they are just pretty much quiet. Love the book, will go download the next one now.