Book 5, Magpie Speaks: Navajo Nation Series

Chappell knows the Navajo people and their customs so well, you can hear them speak. Spinning a yarn much like the character Lucy weaves her rugs (blankets). Another hit! I'm a big fan of this genre and this author.

Not having read the four previous in the series, the potentially complex characters and their relationships blunted the story's impact. To get the most enjoyment out of this murder mystery's plot and to have a meaningful opinion, reading all the series in order would be my requirement. This title was a book club choice

At best, all seven Navajo mysteries are lite fluff suitable for airport book stores. That does not necessarily make them bad reads, especially if you're ill and can't handle something meaty.

Nevertheless, I'd recommend only four, omitting Mojado (close to torture porn), the "The Wolves of Winter" (with a plot that I and my husband found unfathomable), and especially, "The Bible Seller" (in which the initial murder culprit is left unknown; when contacted, the author replied "Your guess is as good as mine".

The books are selling well, says the author, who is quite pleased with himself, evidently unaware that quality could involve anything other than popularity.

Singer Paul T'Sosi lives with his daughter Lucy Tallwoman and son-in-law, Thomas Begay in their hogan on the Navajo Reservation in this enchanting book from the wonderful Ron A Chappell.

Paul tends his daughter's flock of sheep and one day hears Magpie - a well-known trickster of unsuspecting people - tell him of impending danger. He also has nightmares about his old uncle and Teacher of the songs and chants Paul will need if he is to become a famous singer and restore the People to the Beauty Way. Although he can't remember much of his dreams, he's sure the trouble will come in the form of his half-brother Edward Bitsinnii, who has corrupted the chants for his own evil purposes and has become a witch.

What did Bitsinnii do to Harley Ponyboy in the past and with what result? Who is Anita and why did she leave Harley? What happens to Anita one night?
What happens when Bitsinni visits his half-brothers?
Who is Alice? Why has she come to see Lucy Tallwoman? What is their relationship? How is Thomas Begay related to Alice?
Why does Alice go to look for Bitsinnii after visiting her grandfather? What happens when she and Paul T'Sosi find Bitsinnii? Is Harley happier now?

The action moves thrillingly across vast landscapes and into the wilderness that surrounds the people in a loving embrace as they greet the sun each morning and run to welcome the new day. It is a story of differences and similarities; how one generation looks to pass on its skills and customs and how the young respect the old ways and their relatives, while moving ever-forward to blend the new with told , as technology develops and the outside world grows ever closer. A must-have read for your bodkhelves...grab a copy today and tell all your friends!

"Magpie Speaks," the fifth in R. Allen Chappell's Navajo Nation Mystery series, focuses on the Navajo trickster, the Magpie, who is trying to tell - perhaps warn - Paul T’Sosia about a terrifying secret? Dreams, on the other hand, tell old man T’Sosi he’s dying. This story is heavier in Navajo mythology than some of the earlier works. As with life, some are believers and some are not - or at least are less sure.

In "Magpie Speaks," Paul T’Sosia is a Hatalii, a Singer as the Navajo call their Holy Men. He has been working hard to protect his family and now Charlie’s new son from a curse. Evil is lurking, and Ma’iitsoh Dine’, the Navajo Wolf, is out for blood. Hungry for revenge and summoning his darkest powers, the Witch of Ganado Edward Bitsinnii (Paul’s half brother) circles tribal investigator Charlie Yazzie’s young son and close friends. Who will survive the witch’s evil vendetta, and who will die to settle an old score. Woven into all of this is a questionable figure from the past who re-emerges to take control in this fast paced thriller.

As did Tony Hillerman, R. Allen Chappell’s writing reveals a close relationship and an almost intuitive knowledge of the Navajo people and their land of the Four Corners region. Chappell grew up with the Navajo, went to school with them, and later worked alongside--forging enduring friendships along the way. These friendships became the inspiration for this series: "A Navajo Nation Mystery." Navajo spiritual beliefs and supernatural myths almost come to life in this well crafted mystery. If you are a fan of Hillerman, you must try this series . . . and best to do them in order to enjoy the interplay of characters.

I absolutely love Chappell's books and anxiously await the next one. He keeps me totally involved and I am FORCED to read them continuously until I am finished. I am always happy to find a new author and am very happy to have found him. His characters are very real and I like the way they continue from book to book. Kudos to R. Allen Chappell.

Great sequel to the series! However...
I have a major complaint. The time line is all wrong. Alice and Thomas could not have lived in the hogan after the death of Freddie and Sally because Thomas was already with Lucy in the first book! Alice even alludes to having lived there after "all that stuff".
What ?!
Also, there were some grammatical errors, again.
I really really like these stories and characters but I think there needs to be some proofing before publishing!

This was one of the most engaging, well crafted books I've enjoyed in awhile. I plan to go back and read several of the earlier books I missed in the series. The gripping tale, woven with subtle humor will delight. Is it too much to hope Charlie and Thomas will demand a few more books from Mr. Chappell? Let's hope so.

Mr.Chappell does a fine job of explaining the Navajo way of thinking (disclaimer I hope so--I have no other we information source). I enjoyed that aspect of the novel very much
The characters are well developed and the ending surprised me