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Rating: 
Summary: "He stirs, he stirs, he stirs, he stirs,"
Review: "Among the lands of dawning, he stirs, he stirs.
The pollen of dawning, he stirs, he stirs.
Now in old age wandering, he stirs, he stirs.
Now on the trail of beauty, he stirs,
Talking God, he stirs..."It is in the 1970's pre-cell phone where parallel lives take place. We have an Indian wanted for a stabbing who turns up dead. Not just dead but in the wrong place. Not the wrong place but in a mysterious way. There is also a team of archeologists looking into which craft (they just may find it). One archeologist seems to be missing. A strange Navaho has his hat stolen but the silver hat band left. A woman is coming to visit her fiancé is in for an adventure she did not count on. From all of this Joe Leaphorn must make some sort of sense. It is the descriptiveness of Tony Hillerman that goes beyond the mystery to pant a picture of a different world that we get to glimpse in the process of reading. Read the book but the addition of the voice of George Guidall ads a dimension to the story by helping visualize the people and correcting pronunciation of certain words. I suggest you read the book and listen to the recorded version.
Rating: 
Summary: Southwestern Fiction A+/ Mystery Writing B-
Review:
When Hillerman in on the subject of the Southwest and the Navajo, he's killer. His books *feel* realistic--and you can't ask more from a writer than to create an intriguing, detailed, three dimensional world in which interesting people do interesting things. For 2/3 of the book he delivers exactly that; tops is the appearance of the "Wolf" Witch and a chilling game of cat & mouse between him, a professor of Navajo Witchcraft, and the unsuspecting fiance of one of the Bad Guys. I was just ready to stop reading for the night...but didn't. The Mystery, on the other hand, was ridiculous. I won't spoil it for you (it does that for itself) but I'm betting that--like me--you'll be wishing Hillerman got back to writing about his Southwestern characters instead of the rather silly "hero defeats the bad guys" ending to the case. I hate it when the author gives the ballgame away by revealing whodunnit before the final chapters, opting for chase sequences and action instead of continuing the marvelous narrative of the previous chapters. Worse is this need to tie everything up neatly when the books would be much stronger if he allowed himself to leave some loose ends. I can only guess Hillerman has to do it this way because, well, it's billed as a mystery novel, and that's the way mysteries are written. At least he doesn't go for the old "...and then so-and-so turned up dead" routine in which half the cast gets killed in order to create false drama. In brief, Hillerman's Southwestern Mysteries are fantastic books when they concentrate on The People and The Landscape, somewhat less interesting when they concentrate on The Solution. This one is the best of his I've read so far, just edging out "Sacred Clowns" and blowing "Thief of Time" away. A good way to spend an evening as long as you're not expecting a mindbender. Savor the solid fiction (something of a rarity in this genre). Hillerman's books feature strong characterizations which go way beyond the usual "blond, cold blue eyes, wearing faded jeans and a big silver belt buckle" sketchs of most other authors. He also has a deft touch with scenes: he puts you right *there* without overloading the text with lazy, catalog-style descriptions. These books would make for very good movies. You'll like this book; and, just as I did, wish for a more powerful ending. RstJ
Rating:
Summary: Great Writer
Review: If you have never had the good fortune to visit New Mexico and Arizona, reading a Tony Hillerman novel will have you itching to pack your bag and experience the wonderful vistas he describes. Hillerman introduces you the the Navajo people and their way of life. No other author displays Hillerman's understand and interest in this part of the country. Hillerman seems to get better and better with each new offering.
Beverly J Scott Author of Righteous Revenge
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Summary: great book with a lot of the Navajo culture thown in
Review: This was my first Hillerman book. It was impossible to put down. The mixture of mystery and Navajo history was perfect. I can't wait to read more of his books
Rating:
Summary: Introducing Joe Leaphorn
Review: Tony Hillerman has written 15 or so novels about Navaho policemen working in the high,dry canyon country of New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah. Published in 1970, this is the first in the series, introducing Joe Leaphorn, who will become well and favorably known in subsequent novels. Witches are about in the Navajo country and Leaphorn -- the most rational of men -- perceives a connection between the tales of the witches and the murder of a young Navajo. Strange things occur: the throats of sheep are slashed, men dressed in wolfskins are seen, a hat is stolen, all of this leading to a confrontation in a cliff dwelling and a chase on a high desert plateau. This is not the best novel of the series. Some of the deeds of a mild-mannered college professor fleeing the "witches" seem improbable. And Leaphorn is not yet fully developed as a unique character and master detective. But "Blessing Way" is a strong beginning to what would become a masterpiece series. Hillerman's strengths are authenticity and atmosphere. Elements of Navajo culture, religion, and folkways are woven into the fabric of his novels. His landscapes are harsh and spectacular. Nature is magnificient, but also menacing. In this exotic setting, the supernatural seems almost possible and little chilly fingers tickle your spine. If you are a urbanite, you may not like Hillerman; but if you are drawn to big, blank spots on the map you will likely love him. Not the least of his accomplishments is that he has probably taught more people about the Navajo -- and generated more interest in Navajo culture -- than any other writer.
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