NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERLegendary Navajo policeman Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn takes center stage in this riveting atmospheric mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman that combines crime, superstition, and tradition and brings the desert Southwest vividly alive.Joe Leaphorn may have retired from the Tribal Police, but he finds himself knee-deep in a perplexing case involving a … Police, but he finds himself knee-deep in a perplexing case involving a priceless artifact—a reminder of a dark time in Navajo history. Joe’s been hired to find a missing biil, a traditional dress that had been donated to the Navajo Nation. His investigation takes a sinister turn when the leading suspect dies under mysterious circumstances and Leaphorn himself receives anonymous warnings to beware—witchcraft is afoot.
While the veteran detective is busy working to untangle his strange case, his former colleague Jim Chee and Officer Bernie Manuelito are collecting evidence they hope will lead to a cunning criminal behind a rash of burglaries. Their case takes a complicated turn when Bernie finds a body near a popular running trail. The situation grows more complicated when the death is ruled a homicide, and the Tribal cops are thrust into a turf battle because the murder involves the FBI.
As Leaphorn, Chee, and Bernie draw closer to solving these crimes, their parallel investigations begin to merge . . . and offer an unexpected opportunity that opens a new chapter in Bernie’s life.
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When Anne Hillerman decided to continue the Leaphorn and Chee mysteries that Tony Hillerman began, she was wise enough to write in her own voice rather than try to imitate her father. Now that she has several books under her belt, the characters have become hers. I get as much pleasure from reading her work as I did reading Tony’s.
This book is a typical Hillerman book, tautly written with lots of unexpected plot twists. In this case, Leaphorn is retired but still active as a private detective. My only knock against this book is that the plot is so complicated. Keeping track of clues and who’s motivated to do what is challenging. The book requires concentration to read and fully appreciate its complexity, but well worth the effort.
I enjoy the mysteries written by Anne Hillerman as much as the one her father wrote. I have read several now, and find that the characters are like old friends.
A few of the eleventh-hour confessions come too easily to be quite believable (so say 4 1/2 stars), yet this is definitely a book worth reading. The characters, relationships and sense of place and culture are particularly rich in this book. I found this the most satisfying of the Hillerman family books I have read.
I enjoyed reading The Tale Teller because I’ve missed the Tony Hillerman series. Much of this book contains the original. Characters, Leapwood, Cher, Manuelitto, etc. it also tells much about the Navaho Nation’s customs and way of life. The story contains two main criminal activities, one in which Leapwood. Is asked to find missing pieces of Navaho jewelry and clothing sent to the Navaho Museum anonymously. The second a man found dead on a jogging trail involving a stolen Navaho Bolo. Both gripping tales. This book carries out Tony Hillerman’s type of detection by Navaho Police. Leapwood is now a private investigator who works with the Police Department. I feel it is not quite the original style, but Anne Hillerman has done a fine job of carrying out her father’s plan to present the Navaho Nation to the public.
Have really enjoyed the author’s take on the world her father built and making it her own.
This talented author does a great job of creating a mystery set in the Southwest. I loved it!
Having never read a book by either of the Hillermans I wondered whether I’d be able to follow the characters in this one. No problem! Set in the Navajo homelands of AZ/NM, an area I know reasonably well, I felt like I was right back there. Hillerman spins a good yarn with interesting, well-defined characters that made for an enjoyable read.
And Hitler man has done a great job in continuing her fathers legacy of the Navajo mysteries
I was long a fan of Tony Hillerman and I am now a fan of his daughter Anne as well. She has done a terrific job in re-creating the characters of Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito from her father’s novels and bringing to life the setting of the Navajo Nation and its people. This book features each of the three tribal police officers (or in Joe’s case retired) investigating three intertwining cases that keep you guessing (or at least me) until the end.
great book
Always love her books – as good a writer as her Dad!
The Hillerman family has created a wonderful cast of characters who have taught me of the Navajo culture. Fascinating.
Love all the HIllerman books, both Anne & Tony. Can’t put them down.
I have read 14 books written by the Hillermans (father and daughter). The plots are well thought out, and I like the background of the novels. They do not take place in an urban environment but in that of the Native Americans who live in Arizona and the American Southwest.
When Anne Hillerman took over writing her father’s books, I thought, that’s nice. Then I read her book and found she not only kept the original style her father had but she somehow makes these books more realistic. You feel like you know the characters and get caught up in their story. Her dad, Tony, would be proud.
Another fine addition to this series. Ms Hillerman has done her father proud. She has continued his remarkable work, and I thank her so much!
hillerman family at its best
I liked everything about this book. Great characters, great story and a little history with wonderful descriptions of the area.
Another mystery in the long tradition of Tony Hillerman. Anne tells a good story, but doesn’t quite match her father; no shame there! This is a solid, entertaining mystery that will carry you though a winter’s night.