The Shaman Sings

Rating:
Summary: Dossn't deliver
Review: Apparently, I have a divergent point of view from the other folks. Being a Tony Hillerman junkie, I was, of course, thrilled to see this author being compared with Hillerman on the back of the book. I was disappointed in the quality of the writing, however. Where to start? The dialog seemed pretty stilted to me. People I know don't talk like this. The relationship between the cop and the newswoman seemed to drift into a higher level of intimacy, seemingly without any development. I always wonder when authors have characters calling each other "Dear" or "Darling" practically right after they've met. And what was he doing, taking a woman he'd just met on a dangerous homicide investigation?

The loop to visit Chester (or Buster, take your pick) seemed to stand by itself with very a tenuous connection to the story. I could go on, but won't. I also won't read any more of these, and I'm sorry, because I really need a Hillerman fix. I'll have to wait for Tony's next for that.

Rating:
Summary: Dossn't deliver
Review: Apparently, I have a divergent point of view from the other folks. Being a Tony Hillerman junkie, I was, of course, thrilled to see this author being compared with Hillerman on the back of the book. I was disappointed in the quality of the writing, however. Where to start? The dialog seemed pretty stilted to me. People I know don't talk like this. The relationship between the cop and the newswoman seemed to drift into a higher level of intimacy, seemingly without any development. I always wonder when authors have characters calling each other "Dear" or "Darling" practically right after they've met. And what was he doing, taking a woman he'd just met on a dangerous homicide investigation?

The loop to visit Chester (or Buster, take your pick) seemed to stand by itself with very a tenuous connection to the story. I could go on, but won't. I also won't read any more of these, and I'm sorry, because I really need a Hillerman fix. I'll have to wait for Tony's next for that.

Rating:
Summary: Doss is the Boss!
Review: I picked up this book, Doss' first in this mystery series, at a book swap and I'm going on book series number three. I was instantly captivated by this author's writing style. His vivid descriptions of the first crime scene at the beginning of this book had me up at night losing sleep (a compliment). I could not wait to dive into the next book. As a native of New Mexico, I traveled extensively to Colorado so I can say from firsthand knowledge that Doss' depictions of the scenery and setting as well as characters were so vivid and real. Best reading I've done in a looooong time!!

Rating:
Summary: very good first mystery
Review: I really enjoyed this book on several levels -- the ending was a real surprise, the story is well-told and superbly plotted, most of the characters are believable and, in many cases, interesting and likable. I grew up northwestern New Mexico and found his descriptions of that area of the country very accurate. I especially liked the shaman, Daisy Perika, and her dreams and visions. The things I didn't like about the book are minor and deal mainly with the author's descriptions of the people at the college -- when is the last time you saw a female graduate student doing physics research in high heels and clip earrings? Or professors that were actively hostile to the police just on general principle? It also seemed to me that Doss plays to stereotypes unnecessarily -- the racist banter between the police and their prime suspect being the worst example. Doss leaves a few loose ends, I don't want to give anything away, but I finished the book wondering what exactly happened to two minor characters as well as what was the significance of Daisy's visions (not the dream, which was beautifully woven into the story, but the visions of the brujas y brujos at Chimney Rock). Oh, and I loved the joke about Sitting Bull and the Hunkpapa Sioux.

Rating:
Summary: An artful mixture of cultures
Review: In "The Shaman Sings," set in southwestern Colorado, the author artfully combines the worlds of Indian mysticism and modern science. Apparently inspired by Tony Hillerman (there's a direct reference to his books), Mr. Doss is no mere imitator; he has his own original approach. He skillfully shifts point of view among a diverse array of characters: the town police chief, the aged Indian woman who is the shaman of the title, a psychopathic maintenance man on the lam, a British expatriate recluse who was a cipher expert during WWII, and various members of the physics department at the local university. And he lets us into the mind of the madman killer, who at first could be any one of a number of characters. Gradually the possibilities are narrowed down until at last, thanks to the shaman, we find out whodunit. I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

Rating:
Summary: Can do no wrong
Review: Mr Doss writes pure enjoyable mysteries. Every book of his I read I feel more and more like the characters are my friends. Highly recommend ALL his books.

Rating:
Summary: Can do no wrong
Review: Mr Doss writes pure enjoyable mysteries. Every book of his I read I feel more and more like the characters are my friends. Highly recommend ALL his books.

Rating:
Summary: Doss is the Boss!
Review: This is a great book for people that like some humor with their mysteries. Although the titles of this series sound like the shaman is going to be the main protagonist, it doesn't work that way. There is a very humorous interaction between Charlie Moon, of the Tribal Police, who doesn't believe in magic, and his Grandmother who pretends she doesn't when around the priest but who sneaks out to confer with the local landspirit, a type of dwarf. The mystery is well thought out and kept interesting by the complex (but not TOO complex) characters. Of great importantce to me is that the characters also act within their characterization and motivations. This is a particular joy in this book where Charlie and his Grandmother are often working at cross purposes motive wize and a delightful weave of information back and forth as you move towards the ending. The grandmother in particular is sort of a ute 'maxine' with never a good word to say and a hillarious lineup of grumbles and mumbled complaints.

Rating:
Summary: verdaeni on 'the shaman sings'
Review: This is a great book for people that like some humor with their mysteries. Although the titles of this series sound like the shaman is going to be the main protagonist, it doesn't work that way. There is a very humorous interaction between Charlie Moon, of the Tribal Police, who doesn't believe in magic, and his Grandmother who pretends she doesn't when around the priest but who sneaks out to confer with the local landspirit, a type of dwarf. The mystery is well thought out and kept interesting by the complex (but not TOO complex) characters. Of great importantce to me is that the characters also act within their characterization and motivations. This is a particular joy in this book where Charlie and his Grandmother are often working at cross purposes motive wize and a delightful weave of information back and forth as you move towards the ending. The grandmother in particular is sort of a ute 'maxine' with never a good word to say and a hillarious lineup of grumbles and mumbled complaints.