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The Leaphorn & Chee Novels
Three of New York Times bestselling author Tony Hillerman's most popular novels are together for the first time in one volume.
Tony Hillerman is one of the most revered and honored mystery writers published today. This stunning collection includes the critically acclaimed novels Skinwalkers, A Thief of Time, and Coyote Waits, all of which have been adapted for PBS by producer Robert Redford. This is a must-have anthology from one of the great masters of suspense.
In Skinwalkers, three shotgun blasts explode into the trailer of Officer Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police. Chee survives to join partner Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn in a frightening investigation that takes them into a dark world of ritual, witchcraft, and blood -- all tied to the elusive and evil "skinwalker." In A Thief of Time, a noted anthropologist vanishes at a moonlit Indian ruin where "thieves of time" ravage sacred ground for profit. When two corpses appear amid stolen goods and bones at an ancient burial site, Leaphorn and Chee must plunge into the past to unearth the astonishing truth behind a mystifying series of horrific murders.
And in Coyote Waits, it wasn't the car fire that killed Navajo Tribal Policeman Delbert Nez -- a bullet did. Officer Jim Chee's good friend Del lies dead, and a whiskey-soaked Navajo shaman is found with the murder weapon. The old man is Ashie Pinto. He's quickly arrested for homicide and defended by a woman Chee could either love or loathe. But Pinto won't utter a word of confession or denial. Leaphorn and Chee must unravel a complex plot involving a historical find, a lost fortune, and the mythical Coyote, who is always waiting, and always hungry.
Tony Hillerman is one of the most revered and honored mystery writers published today. This stunning collection includes the critically acclaimed novels Skinwalkers, A Thief of Time, and Coyote Waits, all of which have been adapted for PBS by producer Robert Redford. This is a must-have anthology from one of the great masters of suspense.
In Skinwalkers, three shotgun blasts explode into the trailer of Officer Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police. Chee survives to join partner Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn in a frightening investigation that takes them into a dark world of ritual, witchcraft, and blood -- all tied to the elusive and evil "skinwalker." In A Thief of Time, a noted anthropologist vanishes at a moonlit Indian ruin where "thieves of time" ravage sacred ground for profit. When two corpses appear amid stolen goods and bones at an ancient burial site, Leaphorn and Chee must plunge into the past to unearth the astonishing truth behind a mystifying series of horrific murders.
And in Coyote Waits, it wasn't the car fire that killed Navajo Tribal Policeman Delbert Nez -- a bullet did. Officer Jim Chee's good friend Del lies dead, and a whiskey-soaked Navajo shaman is found with the murder weapon. The old man is Ashie Pinto. He's quickly arrested for homicide and defended by a woman Chee could either love or loathe. But Pinto won't utter a word of confession or denial. Leaphorn and Chee must unravel a complex plot involving a historical find, a lost fortune, and the mythical Coyote, who is always waiting, and always hungry.
592 pages, Hardcover
Published May 3, 2005
3 people are currently reading
555 people want to read
About the author
Tony Hillerman
220 books1,858 followersTony Hillerman, who was born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, was a decorated combat veteran from World War II, serving as a mortarman in the 103rd Infantry Division and earning the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. Later, he worked as a journalist from 1948 to 1962. Then he earned a Masters degree and taught journalism from 1966 to 1987 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he resided with his wife until his death in 2008. Hillerman, a consistently bestselling author, was ranked as New Mexico's 25th wealthiest man in 1996. - Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 27, 2017
Those looking to latch onto a great mystery series who have yet to discover Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are in for a real treat if they pick up this one. Tony Hillerman created an entire genre with these novels, and though they've been copied, no one has ever been able to blend Native American beliefs and traditions, with modern-day mystery nearly as well. Some entries focus on Chee, others with just Leaphorn. This series is at its best, however, when the older Leaphorn and the younger Chee interact, and that’s what you get here.
COYOTE WAITS —
This one is not as exciting as the spectacular Skinwalkers, nor is it as deftly plotted as the enthralling Thief of Time. It is nonetheless a good read. When Chee feels responsible for the death of fellow officer Delbert Nez, Leaphorn and Chee take different paths investigating the case — one which on the surface, appears to be open-and-shut. This engrossing story of ancient Navajo tradition, and modern-day government agencies is a satisfying addition to the series.
SKINWALKERS —
Skinwalkers is one of Hillerman's finest pairings of the younger Jim Chee, with Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn. This one begins when a shotgun blast into Jim Chee's trailer has both men trying to figure out how the attempt on Chee's life ties together with two murders in the sprawling Indian territory over which they have jurisdiction.
The seasoned Leaphorn begins to have respect for 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 entry; his beloved wife may have the onset of Alzheimer's disease. It is a distraction he can't afford once the danger begins escalating.
Sprinkled throughout this complex and entertaining mystery novel are insights into the Navajo people, from the way they speak, to their customs and broad family ties. But the thread that may tie everything together is something the older Leaphorn despises, and the younger Chee embraces. That aspect of the investigation is the complex mythology of Navajo witchcraft. You see, the killings may involve something very ancient in the Navajo culture, called a Skinwalker.
This is simply a great read, full of description of the Four Corners landscape, which is interwoven with the traditions of the Navajo. The story itself begins at a languid pace, but gradually takes on urgency as the body count starts to rise. The good police work of Leaphorn and Chee may not be enough to save either of them this time out.
Chee's growing recognition among his people as a Hataalli (Medicine Man) who can perform the Blessing Way will play an integral part in this excellent entry in the Leaphorn/Chee canon. Skinwalkers is like an orange soda on a hot day in the New Mexico desert. It's refreshing, and really hits the spot.
THIEF OF TIME —
Leaphorn and Chee are fleshed out more than usual in this well-plotted entry in the series. Both Chee and Leaphorn are dealing with personal issues as this mystery begins. Chee hasn't quite figured out how he feels about Mary leaving him because he would not leave his Navajo way of life behind and move to the city with her. He is smitten with a pretty Navajo attorney named Janet in this one, but she's with someone else.
Leaphorn meanwhile, is on terminal leave because of Emma’s tragic passing. Neither he nor Chee can explain his obsession with finding a missing pot hunter named Eleanor Friedman-Bernal, especially since he plans to retire. What is clear as a bell, however, is that a Navajo would not be involved in the thefts. The reason is that it would mark the Navajo as a "Thief of Time" according to Navajo tradition.
Chee's letting a rather large backhoe get stolen right under his nose will have ties to Leaphorn's investigation. Once more this leads to the young policeman with an appreciation for the old ways of the Navajo, teaming up with Leaphorn. This case will take them far across the Navajo territory, stretching all the way into Utah, and then down the San Juan River. Leaphorn's recollection of another death ties in with Eleanor's disappearance, who was collecting pots made by the mysterious Anasazi. But was something she discovered worth killing for?
Leaphorn and Chee will be hundreds of miles apart when they reach the same conclusion in this quite complex and multi-layered mystery. One will have to race to the other as things turn ugly, and two very different men will find common ground when Leaphorn asks the unexpected of young Chee.
Thief of Time is a real gem in this fine series. Hillerman's description of the thousand foot cliffs along the San Juan River at night, and a starry sky filled with Navajo mystery create an unforgettable portrait of the America's Southwest. Visiting Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee in these pages might be the next best thing to sleeping under the stars in Navajo country, wondering if there is magic in the sky above. Highly recommended.
COYOTE WAITS —
This one is not as exciting as the spectacular Skinwalkers, nor is it as deftly plotted as the enthralling Thief of Time. It is nonetheless a good read. When Chee feels responsible for the death of fellow officer Delbert Nez, Leaphorn and Chee take different paths investigating the case — one which on the surface, appears to be open-and-shut. This engrossing story of ancient Navajo tradition, and modern-day government agencies is a satisfying addition to the series.
SKINWALKERS —
Skinwalkers is one of Hillerman's finest pairings of the younger Jim Chee, with Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn. This one begins when a shotgun blast into Jim Chee's trailer has both men trying to figure out how the attempt on Chee's life ties together with two murders in the sprawling Indian territory over which they have jurisdiction.
The seasoned Leaphorn begins to have respect for 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 entry; his beloved wife may have the onset of Alzheimer's disease. It is a distraction he can't afford once the danger begins escalating.
Sprinkled throughout this complex and entertaining mystery novel are insights into the Navajo people, from the way they speak, to their customs and broad family ties. But the thread that may tie everything together is something the older Leaphorn despises, and the younger Chee embraces. That aspect of the investigation is the complex mythology of Navajo witchcraft. You see, the killings may involve something very ancient in the Navajo culture, called a Skinwalker.
This is simply a great read, full of description of the Four Corners landscape, which is interwoven with the traditions of the Navajo. The story itself begins at a languid pace, but gradually takes on urgency as the body count starts to rise. The good police work of Leaphorn and Chee may not be enough to save either of them this time out.
Chee's growing recognition among his people as a Hataalli (Medicine Man) who can perform the Blessing Way will play an integral part in this excellent entry in the Leaphorn/Chee canon. Skinwalkers is like an orange soda on a hot day in the New Mexico desert. It's refreshing, and really hits the spot.
THIEF OF TIME —
Leaphorn and Chee are fleshed out more than usual in this well-plotted entry in the series. Both Chee and Leaphorn are dealing with personal issues as this mystery begins. Chee hasn't quite figured out how he feels about Mary leaving him because he would not leave his Navajo way of life behind and move to the city with her. He is smitten with a pretty Navajo attorney named Janet in this one, but she's with someone else.
Leaphorn meanwhile, is on terminal leave because of Emma’s tragic passing. Neither he nor Chee can explain his obsession with finding a missing pot hunter named Eleanor Friedman-Bernal, especially since he plans to retire. What is clear as a bell, however, is that a Navajo would not be involved in the thefts. The reason is that it would mark the Navajo as a "Thief of Time" according to Navajo tradition.
Chee's letting a rather large backhoe get stolen right under his nose will have ties to Leaphorn's investigation. Once more this leads to the young policeman with an appreciation for the old ways of the Navajo, teaming up with Leaphorn. This case will take them far across the Navajo territory, stretching all the way into Utah, and then down the San Juan River. Leaphorn's recollection of another death ties in with Eleanor's disappearance, who was collecting pots made by the mysterious Anasazi. But was something she discovered worth killing for?
Leaphorn and Chee will be hundreds of miles apart when they reach the same conclusion in this quite complex and multi-layered mystery. One will have to race to the other as things turn ugly, and two very different men will find common ground when Leaphorn asks the unexpected of young Chee.
Thief of Time is a real gem in this fine series. Hillerman's description of the thousand foot cliffs along the San Juan River at night, and a starry sky filled with Navajo mystery create an unforgettable portrait of the America's Southwest. Visiting Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee in these pages might be the next best thing to sleeping under the stars in Navajo country, wondering if there is magic in the sky above. Highly recommended.
April 10, 2014
In addition to being a fine writer on virtually any subject about which he cared to write, Hillerman's canon of Navajo Police stories demonstrate his knowledge of and respect for Navajo culture (a respect which was returned by the Navajo). These stories work not only as mysteries, but provide a good deal of ethnographic information about the Navajo and neighboring tribes. They also delve deep into the issue of competing cultures - specifically how the Navajo have adapted (or failed to adapt) to the Anglo culture that surrounds them. A good example of this is Jim Chee's dilemma of enforcing white man's law (which is based on retribution and punishment) when Navajo tradition says that someone who commits a "crime" is sick and needs to be cured.
All of the Navajo police books are well worth reading, although the last two or three are perhaps closer to four stars than five. They should also be read in order, but with reasonable breaks between them, as there is a fair amount of repeating background information.
All of the Navajo police books are well worth reading, although the last two or three are perhaps closer to four stars than five. They should also be read in order, but with reasonable breaks between them, as there is a fair amount of repeating background information.
October 1, 2023
"They teach us that everything has two forms."
Jim Chee sits drinking coffee while partner Tribal Policeman Delbert Nez meets his demise. Chee catches the obvious perpetrator. A Navaho shaman, with a bottle in one hand and THE gun in his belt. Case closed.
Because of his guilt at not backing up his partner and at the insistence of Chee’s on-again and off-again relationship with the defending attorney, Janet Pete, Chee must find out for himself what happened and if he may have made a mistake.
Because of a relationship through his dead wife with Ashie Pinto’s (the defendant) clan and also being pushed by Dr. Bourbonette (anthropologist), who insists that Ashie is being railroaded, Joe Leaphorn also investigates from a different angle. He is constantly thinking about what his dead wife Emma would say in the situation.
Both men are pushed into what looks like an endless amount of overlapping mysteries of which the murder of Delbert Nez is just one. They – and we - must deal with the history of the CIA and that of witches.
Jim Chee sits drinking coffee while partner Tribal Policeman Delbert Nez meets his demise. Chee catches the obvious perpetrator. A Navaho shaman, with a bottle in one hand and THE gun in his belt. Case closed.
Because of his guilt at not backing up his partner and at the insistence of Chee’s on-again and off-again relationship with the defending attorney, Janet Pete, Chee must find out for himself what happened and if he may have made a mistake.
Because of a relationship through his dead wife with Ashie Pinto’s (the defendant) clan and also being pushed by Dr. Bourbonette (anthropologist), who insists that Ashie is being railroaded, Joe Leaphorn also investigates from a different angle. He is constantly thinking about what his dead wife Emma would say in the situation.
Both men are pushed into what looks like an endless amount of overlapping mysteries of which the murder of Delbert Nez is just one. They – and we - must deal with the history of the CIA and that of witches.
February 15, 2022
The pinnacle of the mystery/anthropology genre
December 23, 2012
I have read some Tony Hillerman's in the past, when my mom was really into him. It was a light, easy read. I read it because it was the culture book of the month from the hospital. The native AMerican of the south west do have a culture all of there own. Specifically, I think the slowness of speech and long silences often are misinterpeted by whites as dumb. Leapforn the navajo detective uses this to his advantage.
April 24, 2014
I love reading Tony Hillerman's books -- especially on cold, rainy days! The setting in the American Southwest is beautifully evoked, and these books are so much more than mysteries. They're thoughtful and help educate many Americans about Navajo culture and the history of the Reservation. I can't decide which detective I like best, old soldier Leaphorn or the young unorthodox Chee.
My favorite of this set was Coyote Waits.
My favorite of this set was Coyote Waits.
March 17, 2014
Painless anthropology! A great read prior to visiting the Four Corners country! You'll respect so much more!
August 20, 2014
I loved these books.
November 21, 2020
"A Thief of Time", abridged, read by Tony Hillerman himself, was all I listened to. This was the only way available for me to hear this title. I wish I would have been able to hear it in my usual way, unabridged, read by the other guy who reads them all. I don't know what I missed, but it did seem to make jumps to the next section. Yet I was always able to figure out what was happening. This had a soundtrack of '80s music, that was used like a TV show, to build suspense, or during an action scene. There was usually no music, but it would start up before a scary thing happened, so I knew ahead of time that something bad was about to happen. It almost made me laugh sometimes, which really ruined it. My 4 stars are for the story itself, which I thought was great. The music, though. Disappointing.
May 30, 2022
I read this story in a day and a half. I truly love stories about Native-American culture and reading about the Navaho Tribal Police is right up my alley. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Joe Leaphorn, a retired member of the Tribal Police. He has gotten caught up in a cold-case death that he wants to investigate further. The story goes further into the details of the death, and a few cases where what they thought was an accidental death, turns out to be a murder, and a car accident turns out also be murder. I like the way Joe Leaphorn figures out what really happened and solves his case.
December 26, 2018
Three excellent thrillers by Tony Hillerman. A treasured expert on native southwest tribes and one of the best writers who incorporates lots of facts of native American culture. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are fun protagonists. I've seen movies of Hillerman's books. They are likewise good. But, I like the books the best. I've read more than a dozen of them.
September 23, 2022
I enjoyed the setting, the characters, and the murder mystery. What I didn’t enjoy is that the murders are too graphic and disturbing. I think I must have some sort of anxiety disorder – It is extremely hard for me to forget and move past gory details; they linger in my mind for years. So, regrettably, I won’t be reading any more Tony Hillerman.
February 8, 2018
Excellent, compelling, great use of Native American culture and the settings of the Rez area at Four Corners. Strong lead characters. Great twists. Highly recommended.
August 19, 2021
Captures the essence of the southwest better than any series before or since. Engrossing
September 10, 2021
Fun, easy to read, why is the villain almost always a grad student or professor?
November 11, 2022
The first book from Tony Hillerman I read. The atmosphere and the way Leaphorn and Chee see the world really appeal to me. A really enjoyable read.
February 22, 2013
I've started listening to audio-books in the hope that traffic will be more bearable if I have something else to focus on. I would say it's working pretty well-- these 3 novels were engrossing, occupying my mind even after I got out of the car.
The plots take place on the Navajo Reservation, usually involving murder. Skinwalkers was a great start-- it introduced strong characters and aspects of the Navajo culture. Hillerman treated the setting-- the poeple, the desert, and the culture-- beautifully. I was able to appreciate it as if I were there, but it was not overly-romanticized. The characters are realistic-- they are proud, desperate, complacent, driven, and any number of other attributes can be ascribed to them (not all of them, obviously, I'm talking about the characters as a whole). Leaphorn and Chee, as the main characters, are given extra attention. Although they are single-minded in their pursuit of the crimes, we are given glimpses into their personal lives, deepening their characterization without distracting from the narrative. The motives of the crimes are interesting, initially puzzling, then gradually becoming clearer, because you are privy to all the information both Leaphorn and Chee collect. (How 'bout that!)
I only gave this 4 stars (I'd have given it 4.5) because I think, perversly, that I would have liked to have read it. Not necessarily just read it-- I enjoyed hearing names and phrases I'm fairly certain I couldn't pronounce said with a reasonalbe confidence. But I had a hard time, especially with Skinwalkers, keeping names straight. I think if I had been able to see the names and how they were spelled, I would have beeen better able to remember them. this bothered me less as I went on, but it was sometimes frustrating. I'm such a visual person; I wanted to see how their names were spelled.
The plots take place on the Navajo Reservation, usually involving murder. Skinwalkers was a great start-- it introduced strong characters and aspects of the Navajo culture. Hillerman treated the setting-- the poeple, the desert, and the culture-- beautifully. I was able to appreciate it as if I were there, but it was not overly-romanticized. The characters are realistic-- they are proud, desperate, complacent, driven, and any number of other attributes can be ascribed to them (not all of them, obviously, I'm talking about the characters as a whole). Leaphorn and Chee, as the main characters, are given extra attention. Although they are single-minded in their pursuit of the crimes, we are given glimpses into their personal lives, deepening their characterization without distracting from the narrative. The motives of the crimes are interesting, initially puzzling, then gradually becoming clearer, because you are privy to all the information both Leaphorn and Chee collect. (How 'bout that!)
I only gave this 4 stars (I'd have given it 4.5) because I think, perversly, that I would have liked to have read it. Not necessarily just read it-- I enjoyed hearing names and phrases I'm fairly certain I couldn't pronounce said with a reasonalbe confidence. But I had a hard time, especially with Skinwalkers, keeping names straight. I think if I had been able to see the names and how they were spelled, I would have beeen better able to remember them. this bothered me less as I went on, but it was sometimes frustrating. I'm such a visual person; I wanted to see how their names were spelled.
February 28, 2016
This series of books on audio was read by the late great author. It was great to be able to listen to his voice and the way he talked. This was probably recorded before the professional readers that they have nowadays. No voice characterizations, so it's not as easy to remember who is speaking or keep the characters separate. There's a lot of hokey dramatic background music in some places and some kind of Native American chant thing to mark the chapters. I had to mark of one star because of that ... very distracting sometimes.
However, the true Leaphorn and Chee investigation comes through, with their personalities and different but similar deductive reasoning skills. This isn't "great literature," but is classic murder mystery to those of us who love the genre.
However, the true Leaphorn and Chee investigation comes through, with their personalities and different but similar deductive reasoning skills. This isn't "great literature," but is classic murder mystery to those of us who love the genre.
September 19, 2007
I love Tony Hillerman's detective novels about Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee of the Navajo tribal police. They are all set in the Four corners area of New Mexico and Arizona. Here's a brief ditty from Book Description on Amazon--
Tony Hillerman is one of the most revered and honored mystery writers published today. This stunning collection includes the critically acclaimed novels Skinwalkers, A Thief of Time, and Coyote Waits, all of which have been adapted for PBS by producer Robert Redford. This is a must-have anthology from one of the great masters of suspense.
And yeah, I watched the movies, too. You saw the name Robert Redford, right? That means I saw the movies. LOL.
Tony Hillerman is one of the most revered and honored mystery writers published today. This stunning collection includes the critically acclaimed novels Skinwalkers, A Thief of Time, and Coyote Waits, all of which have been adapted for PBS by producer Robert Redford. This is a must-have anthology from one of the great masters of suspense.
And yeah, I watched the movies, too. You saw the name Robert Redford, right? That means I saw the movies. LOL.
May 21, 2010
This was a fun book. It's the second Hillerman I've read, and I'm hooked. He combines my love for procedurals/mysteries with an interest in Native American traditions and culture. Ever since Josh traveled to a reservation in New Mexico for his next documentary, I've been curious about life there. I'll be picking up more Hillerman for sure . . .
March 20, 2014
Not a bad read. I'm not a huge fan of mysteries, but I really enjoyed the information about the landscape on the Navajo reservation and about Navajo culture having grown up with Navajo foster brothers and having been in the area of the reservation in Arizona and Utah quite a few times.
December 18, 2012
My mother gave me this book to read. She enjoys mysteries.
I enjoyed this series of books. The plots were well thought out. The characters each had their own rich personality. The writing kept me engaged.
I would definitely recommend this author to others.
I enjoyed this series of books. The plots were well thought out. The characters each had their own rich personality. The writing kept me engaged.
I would definitely recommend this author to others.
May 1, 2013
I Love It :)) Skinwalkers is so Intriguing :)) Must read :))
February 23, 2015
I absolutely loved these smartly written books. His writing made me part of the landscape and culture of the Four Corners. Leaphorn and Chee are cops trying to find a killer.
April 20, 2015
I like Tony Hillerman a lot. Jim Chee is probably my favorite character because he has one foot in the
Navajo traditions and the other foot in modern culture. Great mystery stories.
Navajo traditions and the other foot in modern culture. Great mystery stories.
July 7, 2020
Read them all multiple times and these make for fantastic audio books. Best listened to while traversing the vast Navajo Reservation.
June 7, 2015
Three really good stories. I feel like I've been on vacation in New Mexico the last week.
July 2, 2016
great
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews