Rating: 
Summary: Not up to Hillerman's standard
Review: Hillerman has created a masterpiece series about Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Navajo detectives working in the wide open spaces of the Navajo reservation in the four corners country of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. But one can see this series beginning to trickle away. Former Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn is now a talkative old duffer and maybe he should be retired (with laurels) from the series. Sergeant Jim Chee seems to have given up his ambition to be a Navaho singer and is now fully committed to being a cop. This story was simplistic and superficial compared to others in the series and the climax was flat and unsatisfying. Still, Hillerman at his worst has many virtues. Bernadette Manuelito is a great new love interest for Chee -- far more engaging and sexy than the unlamented feminist, Janet Pete. Cowboy Dashee and Captain Largo were more interesting in this book than in previous appearances. But the well seems to have run dry for Hillerman and Hunting Badger lacks the fascinating descriptions of landscapes and mystical ceremonies of his many previous books in the Navajo detective series. Try another one, Tony! How about sending Chee and Bernie Manuelito -- sans Leaphorn -- down to the Apache reservation in a really dark and enchanting story ?
Rating: 
Summary: another wonderful trip to navajo country
Review: I caught up on the last four books in this series over the last two weeks, and I am now so sorry that I don't have any more Chee/Leaphorn mysteries to read. It is interesting seeing how Chee has moved to the center of the series, while Leaphorn intially provided the focus. But the books wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable without either of them. The mystery in this book is typical Hillerman--suspenseful, atmospheric, puzzling, interesting. You really worry about the Navajo detectives as they hunt their dangerous quarry over the desolate terrain, miles from any possible assistance. And I have to express my appreciation for the emergence of a wonderful new character, Officer Bernie Maneulito, a traditional Navajo and Jim Chee's possible new love interest. What a charmer. This is one of the best books in the series, I believe--certainly the relationship between Chee and Leaphorn is presented more warmly and clearly than in any of the previous volumes.
Rating: 
Summary: Hillerman is still the master of mystery
Review: This isn't his best effort but it is still Hillerman and therefor it is still worth the read. As always, Hillerman makes the Indian country come alive and for those of us who love wide open spaces, we come to his novels for a vacation from our everyday lives.
Rating:
Summary: Still wonderful after all these years...
Review: I find Tony Hillerman so relaxing. His descriptions of the desert this time were not as breath-taking, but they worked. I hear there's a map of sites mentioned in his novels. Some of these descriptions seemed written with the map in mind.Of course, the Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn continuing affairs of the heart are fun. I mentioned to a friend that I had just finished the new Tony Hillerman. "Is Jim Chee still in love with the school teacher?" No. Now it's a fellow (sister?) police officer. The lawyer is definitely out. Then there's always something worth reflecting on - and this time it's on page 134, in a conversation with his uncle. While standing in a street, where a Navaho drunk is lying in the gutter, the two men watch as a white Lincoln Town Car driven by a Navaho glides by. "Which one acts like he has no relatives?" It is followed by a discussion on healing. "To cure them, you must make them believe. You must believe so strongly that they feel it." This reminds me of Parker Palmer, in the introduction to his book on teaching. He says, more or less, that we teach who we are. It seems that Tony Hillerman is saying the same thing about healing.
Rating: 
Summary: Where's the finish!
Review: I enjoy Hillerman. I like the weaving of cultural information into fine mysteries. But what was he thinking with Hunting Badger? That no one would notice that he shipped the book to his publisher without completing it? It was the most frustrating Hillerman book I've read. HE NEVER FINISHED THE BOOK. ALL KINDS OF STORY LINES ARE LEFT HANGING. The writing style is classic Hillerman, and wonderfully entertaining, but you expect a story to have an ending! It was interesting that in the promo for his memoir (the publisher should have used the pages completing the story), he refers to a book he wrote that had an inadequate ending. He quotes the publisher telling him "we want to publish it if you can write a better last chapter." In Hunting Badger, Hillerman should have had as good a publisher.
Rating: 
Summary: Soft cover incomplete?
Review: This is not actually a review; its a question. I have Harper Torch soft cover edition. On page 318 the story just ends without tellin the reader what happened to the Badger aka Ironhand. Am I missing something here? If there is another reader who can set me straight, I'd be grateful. My copy just seems to end and then there is a promo for Hillerman's Memoir.
Rating:
Summary: Another Hillerman Success
Review: Hunting Badger is a worthy addition to Hillerman's already strong collection of mysteries. Although at the beginning of the book the mystery doesn't seem to be terribly mysterious, the plot twists a few times and is very satisfying by the end. But superceding the plot, and for the first time superceding the Navajo culture, is the character development of the two heros, Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn. It is high praise indeed that we care more about the characters than about the outcome of the manhunt. It is such a pleasure to follow series characters that progress through life in a realistic way, and Chee and Leaphorn have done so under Hillerman's direction quite admirably. If you've not read Hillerman before this is not the novel to start with, but I highly recommend all the Hillerman stories with these two characters and this is a fine addition to the series.
Rating:
Summary: Not Hillerman's Best
Review: I am a huge fan of Tony Hillerman's novels, and this one isn't up to par. It lacks the depth and evocative descriptions of Navajo belief, lore and countryside of some of his other novels. The story is rushed and spends way too much time referring to an older manhunt. Chee and Leaphorn are always a pleasure to visit, but if you're looking for Hillerman at his best, try "Coyote Waits," "People of Darkness," or any of the others.
Rating:
Summary: Hillerman Hits Another Bull's Eye
Review: Tony Hillerman, the prolific author of the Leaphorn/Chee series, hits another bull's eye with Hunting Badger. I believe this novel is one of his strongest in recent years. As always, Hillerman captures the essence of the multicultural American Southwest with its ongoing blending of cultures. He also presents the cultural depth of the indigenous cultures that reach back to before recorded history. The plot involves the robbery of a tribal casino and the events that stem from that crime. The legendary Joe Leaphorn, bored in retirement, is drawn into the investigation as Jim Chee finds himself involved in investigating the case. All the expected characters appear in the novel, and Hillerman does an excellent job of allowing these characters to continue to grow even after so many books stretching over so many years. Leaphorn is adjusting to his new life, sans his job and his late wife. Chee is putting his latest romantic disappointment behind him. Both men are experiencing fresh romances in their lives, and their friendship begins to reach new levels. As he allows character, plot, and theme to play out, Hillerman tells a fabulous story. Hunting Badger should not be missed. It is one of Tony Hillerman's finest.
Rating:
Summary: Not Great ... But Still Fun
Review: I have been a fan for quite a while. This book, while not on par with the Thief of Time or Ghostway, is still enjoyable -- mostly due to Chee and Leaphorn. These are two well-developed characters ... old friends I like to check in on from time to time. I found the overall plot to be promising, but at times, the story seemed rushed and not thoroughly explored. I was disappointed by the ending. Starting with Leaphorn's sudden unraveling of the mystery, the end was too rushed and a bit non-eventful. For those who like Hillerman, this is a must read. For those that are new to his work, check the Thief of Time. Read this one later after getting to know the characters.
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