Rating: 
Summary: A Book You Can't Put Down!
Review: 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!".
Rating: 
Summary: Very solid book from Hillerman
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Murder, Mystery, and Navajo Mysticism
Review: This Tony Hillerman novel is one of his finest, and the first pairing of young Navajo Tribal Police Officer Jim Chee and the legendary Lt. Joe Leaphorn. It begins with a shotgun blast into sleeping Jim Chee's trailor and he and Leaphorn slowly come 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 the smart 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 one as his beloved wife of so many years may have the onset of Alzheimer's disease. It is a distraction he can't afford as things become more and more dangerous and both he and Chee will be lucky to survive this case. Sprinkled throughout this complex and entertaining mystery novel are insights into the Navajo people. The way they speak, their customs and broad family ties, stretching from tribe to tribe with the finest thread, are all explored within the confines of Leaphorn and Chee's investigation. But the thread that may tie everything together is something the older Leaphorn despises, and the younger Chee embraces, the complex mythology of Navajo witchcraft. You see, the killings may involve something very ancient in the Navajo culture, a 'Skinwalker'. This is simply a great read. It has a languid pace at first that becomes more and more urgent and involving 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 plays an integral part in this great book. This book is like an orange soda on a hot day in the New Mexico desert, welcome and refreshing. Hillerman added a lot of character depth to Leaphorn and Chee and an even more special Navajo flavor than usual to create what many feel is the best in this series. It's hard to argue after reading this one but it will certainly make you want to read more, especially 'A Thief of Time', which is also highly thought of by fans of this series. This was the first of Hillerman's series about Navajo Tribal Police Officers Leaphorn and Chee I've read and I'm glad I started with this one. 'A Thief of Time' is now high on my list of things to read. Maybe that's the best recommendation I can give this book. It will make you want to read more. Start here with 'Skinwalkers' and you'll find a nice suprise...
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Were I able to give this book more than 5 stars, I would do so. It is probably Hillerman's masterpiece. He does a wonderful job of taking Navajo customs and ideas and grafting them onto a more Western motive. His characters are alive. And his descriptions of the Four Corners area are vivid. Much, much better than the "Mystery!" adaptation. It's certainly among the best mystery novels written in the past twenty-odd years.
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Were I able to give this book more than 5 stars, I would do so. It is probably Hillerman's masterpiece. He does a wonderful job of taking Navajo customs and ideas and grafting them onto a more Western motive. His characters are alive. And his descriptions of the Four Corners area are vivid. Much, much better than the "Mystery!" adaptation. It's certainly among the best mystery novels written in the past twenty-odd years.
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