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Leaphorn & Chee #26
The Way of the Bear
Fossil harvesting, ancient lore, greed, rejected love and murder combine in this gripping new installment of New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman's Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series.
An unexpected death on a lonely road outside of Utah's Bears Ears National Park raises questions for Navajo Tribal Police officers Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito. Why would a seasoned outdoorsman and well-known paleontologist freeze to death within walking distance of his car? A second death brings more turmoil. Who is the unidentified man killed during a home invasion where nothing seems to have been taken? Why was he murdered?
The Bears Ears area, at the edge of the Navajo Nation, is celebrated for its abundance of early human habitation sites and the discovery of unique fossils which revolutionized the scientific view of how early animals dealt with their changing world. For Chee and Bernie, the area glows with geological interest and spiritual insight. But their visit to this achingly beautiful place is disrupted by a current of unprecedented violence that sweeps them both into danger.
An illicit business, a fossilized jaw bone, hints of witchcraft, and a mysterious disappearance during a blizzard and to the peril. It will take all of Manuelito's and Chee's experience, skill, and intuition to navigate the threats that arise beneath the twin buttes that give Bears Ears its name and to see justice served.
An unexpected death on a lonely road outside of Utah's Bears Ears National Park raises questions for Navajo Tribal Police officers Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito. Why would a seasoned outdoorsman and well-known paleontologist freeze to death within walking distance of his car? A second death brings more turmoil. Who is the unidentified man killed during a home invasion where nothing seems to have been taken? Why was he murdered?
The Bears Ears area, at the edge of the Navajo Nation, is celebrated for its abundance of early human habitation sites and the discovery of unique fossils which revolutionized the scientific view of how early animals dealt with their changing world. For Chee and Bernie, the area glows with geological interest and spiritual insight. But their visit to this achingly beautiful place is disrupted by a current of unprecedented violence that sweeps them both into danger.
An illicit business, a fossilized jaw bone, hints of witchcraft, and a mysterious disappearance during a blizzard and to the peril. It will take all of Manuelito's and Chee's experience, skill, and intuition to navigate the threats that arise beneath the twin buttes that give Bears Ears its name and to see justice served.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2023
1143 people are currently reading
5280 people want to read
About the author
Anne Hillerman
25 books1,673 followersAnne Hillerman writes the best-selling Leaphorn, Chee, Manuelito mysteries set on the Navajo Nation using characters her father Tony Hillerman made popular and her own creative twists. Her newest novel, "Shadow of the Solstice", is set for release in 2025. The Hillerman stories are the basis for the "Dark Winds" television series.
Her non-fiction books include "Tony Hillerman's Landscape: On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn," with photos of the country Ton Hillerman visited in his novels. Anne's other non-fiction books include "Gardens of Santa Fe," "Done in the Sun," and "Children's Guide to Santa Fe." When she's not writing, Anne enjoys cooking, walking with her dogs, gardening and travel to the Navajo Nation.
Her non-fiction books include "Tony Hillerman's Landscape: On the Road with Chee and Leaphorn," with photos of the country Ton Hillerman visited in his novels. Anne's other non-fiction books include "Gardens of Santa Fe," "Done in the Sun," and "Children's Guide to Santa Fe." When she's not writing, Anne enjoys cooking, walking with her dogs, gardening and travel to the Navajo Nation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 608 reviews
June 12, 2025
The last few novels in this series were the proverbial slow burns and light on action. Not this one. Dealing with fossils and dinosaur artifacts, and the legitimate and illegitimate activity surrounding them, bullets were soon flying thick and fast. There was so much gunplay I might have been forgiven for thinking I had a screenplay for Yellowstone in hand. A few more bodies and we’d have had the final scene in Hamlet with corpses strewn across the stage. Bringing in the themes of violent death and the “night of the gun” and lethal betrayal made this book completely different from others I’ve read in the series and provided for some profound reflection on life and death and good and evil. 4 stars.
May 23, 2023
Navajo Tribal Police officers and spouses Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito have taken a weekend for some R & R in the majestic Bears Ears region of Utah, but it turns out to be anything but relaxing. The first night Bernie is almost hit by a speeding truck when she gets in the way of some underhanded characters who are digging for fossils. Shortly thereafter, Chee pays a visit to the home of a well known researcher / paleontologist and encounters a dead body and no sign of the homeowner. To make matters worse, a blizzard is moving into the area and cell service spotty.
The magnificent Four Corners lands and Hillerman’s knowledge thereof, draw me back to this series as much as the suspense and the familiar characters.
The magnificent Four Corners lands and Hillerman’s knowledge thereof, draw me back to this series as much as the suspense and the familiar characters.
May 28, 2023
Have read all of the Tony/Anne Hillerman novels. Many of them multiple times. This one is not cut from the same cloth. Read more like a script from a commercial television show. All of the story takes place in just 24 hours. Will look forward to a return to form in 2024.
January 2, 2023
Chee and Bernie are in Utah—she’s supposed to be relaxing, and he is to meet with a wealthy prospective donor. Bernie goes for a hike and someone tries to run her over. There is something strange going on at Bears Ears monument, and they are determined to find out what it is, even though to do so will certainly put their lives in danger. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the arc.
August 22, 2023
The Way of the Bear is the eighth novel in the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito series. Even though it’s the eighth novel, it is possible to read it as a standalone.
I didn’t particularly care for the author’s style of writing. It seemed somewhat detached. Perhaps her journalistic background had something to do with the aloof vibe that I got from reading the book.
The plot lines were a mixed bag and got confusing at times, which necessitated me to backtrack several times to determine its relevance in the scheme of things.
There were a number of new characters. And all of them were pretty generic. Even the established characters didn’t have much to go on. But it maybe due to the longstanding existence that they had. Even so, things and times change so it’s probably time for a character makeover.
Overall, the narrative was somewhat boring throughout. I kept hoping for more excitement. But perhaps my sentiment was due in part to the plot centering around fossils. Too bad the ending didn’t come close to redeeming the lackluster flavor of the novel. Two stars as I somehow managed to finish the novel by a thread.
I received a finished copy of the novel from Harper through the Goodreads giveaway. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thought and opinions.
I didn’t particularly care for the author’s style of writing. It seemed somewhat detached. Perhaps her journalistic background had something to do with the aloof vibe that I got from reading the book.
The plot lines were a mixed bag and got confusing at times, which necessitated me to backtrack several times to determine its relevance in the scheme of things.
There were a number of new characters. And all of them were pretty generic. Even the established characters didn’t have much to go on. But it maybe due to the longstanding existence that they had. Even so, things and times change so it’s probably time for a character makeover.
Overall, the narrative was somewhat boring throughout. I kept hoping for more excitement. But perhaps my sentiment was due in part to the plot centering around fossils. Too bad the ending didn’t come close to redeeming the lackluster flavor of the novel. Two stars as I somehow managed to finish the novel by a thread.
I received a finished copy of the novel from Harper through the Goodreads giveaway. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thought and opinions.
May 1, 2023
I gobbled this down so fast that I am not sure what it tasted like. My general impression is "meh". Perhaps getting a little too formulaic. Having Leaphorn off in Hawaii deprives the books of a certain philosophical context as does the shift to almost exclusive focus on Bernie. I suspect the move towards focusing on family problems, motherhood etc. will put off a lot of readers. Pretty much including me. really miss the pervasive interest in native culture and religion. Locating this in Bear's Ears was a good idea, but I didn't get enough of a sense of it as a place. I did have a houseguest, so must admit, I may not have given the book a fair chance. Not particularly inspired/ interested in re-listening to it, however.
February 28, 2023
I've reached a point in reviewing Anne Hillerman's Manuelito/Chee/Leaphorn mysteries that I've also reached with authors Sara Paretsky and Kathy Reichs. I know before I begin reading that not only will each novel be good, but that I'm apt to put everything else on hold when I'm reading them. I may like some more than others, but I'm never disappointed.
The Way of the Bear is the best of Anne Hillerman's novels yet, as far as I'm concerned. (I have a caveat that I'll get to in a bit, but aside from that, I have no complaints whatsoever.) As has been happening more and more, Officer Bernadette Manuelto—in her work life and personal life—is at the heart of the novel. Having a central female character and being allowed to share in her perspective has enriched this series.
In The Way of the Bear, Manuelito is accompanying her husband, Jim Chee, who is traveling to Utah for multiple purposes: a meeting with a healer he may study with, attending the presentation of an award to the Navajo Tribal Police, and meeting with a possible big donor to the Fallen Navajo Police Officers Memorial Fund. Manuelito is along to take time for herself and reflect on recent professional and personal disappointments.
On an evening hike as the sky darkens, Manuelito first falls unexpectedly into an unmarked trench that may or may not be part of a permitted archaeological dig. Then as she heads back her vehicle, an off-road pick-up truck tries to run her down, and the truck's passenger attempts to shoot her.
Manuelito hasn't just fallen into a trench, she's fallen into a mystery that rapidly grows in its complexity and danger. The plotting is some of Anne Hillerman's best as she offers twist after twist. And, of course, Chee falls into a case of his own that turns out to be part of the same case Manuelito is now pursuing. The case may involve illicit archaeology, illicit paleontology, witchcraft, or some combination of the three.
One part of this novel that I found particularly pleasing was the introduction of a new character, currently working in private security, but who hopes to join the Navajo Police. He—and his wife and newborn child—make a good addition to the series, and I hope they will be appearing in future volumes.
My biggest disappointment was that this case features a pair of women who are, I believe, the first lesbians ever included in the series—and they wind up being the baddies. If other lesbian or gay characters had been part of previous volumes, this might bother me less—but a first inclusion under these circumstances just doesn't sit right with me. We're past the days when being gay being equated with villainy was an acceptable gambit.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss+; the opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2023
In its initial incarnation, the Leaphorn & Chee series was a creation of the late Tony Hillerman, who took the tried-and-true concept of a series featuring mismatched investigative partners and set it in the place that he knew and loved, the Navajo Reservation at the four corners where Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah meet. His often-at-loggerheads detectives were the young and idealistic Jim Chee and the older, more experienced and more cynical Joe Leaphorn.
The initial series ended when its author passed away, and was much missed.
Missed so much, in fact, that Tony Hillerman’s daughter Anne revived the series with Spider Woman’s Daughter in 2013, adding Navajo Nation Police officer Bernadette “Bernie” Manuelito to the series in order to give Jim Chee a new partner – and romantic interest – in the wake of ‘Legendary Lieutenant’ Joe Leaphorn’s retirement. When Leaphorn is shot and very nearly killed in the opening of Spider Woman’s Daughter, the torch of the series literally passes from his or Chee’s perspective to Bernie’s.
As the series has continued through the following seven more books, the investigations have continued but the investigative tensions between Chee and Manuelito have shifted in ways that give this entry in the series much of its heart even as the case they have wandered into the middle of threatens not just their lives but the lives of many in the harsh, beautiful, protected and sacred area named Shash Jaa’ by the Navajo and Bears’ Ears National Monument by (U.S.) presidential proclamation.
Escape Rating A-: In case it’s not clear, I’ve loved this entire series from my first read – actually a listen – thirty years ago with The Blessing Way. This latest entry in the series was absolutely no exception.
Part of what I enjoy about the series is the way that it explores – not just a compelling mystery set in a beautiful part of the country told from the perspective of someone who is familiar with it – but the way that it takes the usual trope of the push-pull between two investigators with two different approaches to the work and layers it not just with the tensions that occur in a romantic partnership in the same branch of the same work – because both of things have been done before and done well.
The aspect of the relationship that draws me into this series is the difference in Chee’s and Manuelito’s responses to the traditions of their people. Both of them believe strongly in those traditions – as Joe Leaphorn did not – which often put Leaphorn and Chee at odds. Jim Chee frequently, often and repeatedly considered leaving the police and training as a Hatááłii, a practitioner of traditional healing ceremonies. The trip that sends Chee and Manuelito to Bears’ Ears includes an opportunity for Chee to explore this possibility yet again.
But it is, and has always been, a choice for him. Bernie, as a daughter and a sister, is often caught between the demands that tradition places on her because of those roles, and her career as a police officer. For her, it is never a serious choice – she just has to deal with constantly being pulled in multiple directions as best she can.
Both Chee and Manuelito enter this book at a crossroads – a crossroads that affects their marriage and their pursuit of this case. Which turn out to be rather strangely parallel, as both situations are about looking inside oneself and determining the direction of one’s life, even though the case is, on the surface at least, about greed.
But the people who are caught up in it are motivated by something else altogether no matter how twisted their interpretation of it might be. And in seeing how twisted they have become in the course of the investigation, it helps Chee and Bernie figure out how to deal with the issues that have arisen between them.
As always, a satisfactory resolution to both the personal and the professional, although not a permanent one – as there never is. I expect something equally fascinating on both parts of that equation in the next book in the series, hopefully in time for my birthday next year!
Originally published at Reading Reality
The initial series ended when its author passed away, and was much missed.
Missed so much, in fact, that Tony Hillerman’s daughter Anne revived the series with Spider Woman’s Daughter in 2013, adding Navajo Nation Police officer Bernadette “Bernie” Manuelito to the series in order to give Jim Chee a new partner – and romantic interest – in the wake of ‘Legendary Lieutenant’ Joe Leaphorn’s retirement. When Leaphorn is shot and very nearly killed in the opening of Spider Woman’s Daughter, the torch of the series literally passes from his or Chee’s perspective to Bernie’s.
As the series has continued through the following seven more books, the investigations have continued but the investigative tensions between Chee and Manuelito have shifted in ways that give this entry in the series much of its heart even as the case they have wandered into the middle of threatens not just their lives but the lives of many in the harsh, beautiful, protected and sacred area named Shash Jaa’ by the Navajo and Bears’ Ears National Monument by (U.S.) presidential proclamation.
Escape Rating A-: In case it’s not clear, I’ve loved this entire series from my first read – actually a listen – thirty years ago with The Blessing Way. This latest entry in the series was absolutely no exception.
Part of what I enjoy about the series is the way that it explores – not just a compelling mystery set in a beautiful part of the country told from the perspective of someone who is familiar with it – but the way that it takes the usual trope of the push-pull between two investigators with two different approaches to the work and layers it not just with the tensions that occur in a romantic partnership in the same branch of the same work – because both of things have been done before and done well.
The aspect of the relationship that draws me into this series is the difference in Chee’s and Manuelito’s responses to the traditions of their people. Both of them believe strongly in those traditions – as Joe Leaphorn did not – which often put Leaphorn and Chee at odds. Jim Chee frequently, often and repeatedly considered leaving the police and training as a Hatááłii, a practitioner of traditional healing ceremonies. The trip that sends Chee and Manuelito to Bears’ Ears includes an opportunity for Chee to explore this possibility yet again.
But it is, and has always been, a choice for him. Bernie, as a daughter and a sister, is often caught between the demands that tradition places on her because of those roles, and her career as a police officer. For her, it is never a serious choice – she just has to deal with constantly being pulled in multiple directions as best she can.
Both Chee and Manuelito enter this book at a crossroads – a crossroads that affects their marriage and their pursuit of this case. Which turn out to be rather strangely parallel, as both situations are about looking inside oneself and determining the direction of one’s life, even though the case is, on the surface at least, about greed.
But the people who are caught up in it are motivated by something else altogether no matter how twisted their interpretation of it might be. And in seeing how twisted they have become in the course of the investigation, it helps Chee and Bernie figure out how to deal with the issues that have arisen between them.
As always, a satisfactory resolution to both the personal and the professional, although not a permanent one – as there never is. I expect something equally fascinating on both parts of that equation in the next book in the series, hopefully in time for my birthday next year!
Originally published at Reading Reality
May 22, 2023
I love this series. Set in Utah's Bear Ears National Monument, Navajo tribal officers Bernie Manuelito and Jim Chee are drawn in to several murders, a break-in, assaults, and defacement of artifacts. The landscape is beautiful, treacherous and as much a character in these novels as Chee and Manuelito. Fossil hunting for profit runs up against palentology against archeology. Where a fossil is found is important. There are some really twisty characters in The Way of the Bear, shockingly so. Joe Leaphorn is on vacation in Hawaii so just gets a mention. Great series. The respect Ms Hillerman has for the culture and land and people shines through on every page.
May 25, 2023
Really enjoyed this mystery. This time Jim Chee and Bernie are a couple of hours north of their Shiprock, NM home in Bluff, Utah, home of the new and controversial Bears Ears National Monument, a sacred area to the Navajo and other native groups, and an area rich in fossils, petroglyphs and ancient village sites. Chee is ready to resume his study to be a medicine man; Bernie is wondering about her future since she was passed over for promotion to detective. Of course, they both are quickly pulled into solving crimes . . Crimes that involve fossils, defaced petroglyphs and random pot shards. The mystery is all very unlikely but I enjoyed the scenery, the geology, the weather (snowstorm), and the culture. Really like that Hillerman moves the action in this series all around the Four Corners area.
May 3, 2023
I always grab the next Hillerman book as soon as it appears on the shelves as I did with The Way of the Bear. There was a little something off about this one. First Leaphorn had nothing to do with the book aside from a last chapter reference that he was vacationing in Hawaii. Not a place I would expect a Southwestern Indian to vacation in. I hoped to learn more about the Bear's Ears National Monument, but the info was sketchy at best. There was a sly reference that the former president had cut the boundary of the original park by more than half and the current president had reinstated it. It will be interesting to see how this reads in 10 or 15 years.
December 13, 2023
Probably should have dnf'd it. Parts were just word salad and didn't make sense. Like being locked in the trunk of a car and able to clearly hear a conversation word for word but they can't hear you kicking and yelling for help. Big surprises and revelations that were just boring and predictable.
June 8, 2023
A promising mystery stumbles into a far too convenient and predictable ending
May 6, 2023
This book has most of the elements of a good Tony Hillerman story involving Leaphorn and Chee, but the story is beyond belief, and the author violates a central tenet of her father's books. Leaphorn never believed in coincidences, but this book has dozens of them, and those coincidences are very obvious to the reader but aren't formulated by the main characters: Jim Chee and his wife, Bernadette Manuelito. Chee and Manuelito are slow to link the dots. I also found it strange that Chee and Manuelito would actually allow a wounded suspect to suffer to force them to confess to their misdeeds. Again, this isn't something I could see Leaphorn doing or even Chee, while under Leaphorn's tutelage.
The most enjoyable part of the book were the description of the place--the story is set in an area I know and the author is good at describing its beauty.
The most enjoyable part of the book were the description of the place--the story is set in an area I know and the author is good at describing its beauty.
May 3, 2023
Boring!
I love Anne Hillerman but this story just went on and on with no apparent plot. After Bernie getting booped on head I gave up. This Down in the mouth Bernie was horrible.
I love Anne Hillerman but this story just went on and on with no apparent plot. After Bernie getting booped on head I gave up. This Down in the mouth Bernie was horrible.
September 24, 2023
Well, I've finally reached the end of the Leaphorn and Chee (and Manuelito) series, for now at least. Sidelining Leaphorn for the last two books really sucks. If that's the way the books will continue, I think I'll be good and done with them. He's my favorite and, while I like Manuelito, it seems that Hillerman writes her having to be saved an awful lot. Ugh. Having all the action take place outside of their home and away from the regulars I've come to care about is also a bit disappointing. I barely cared about the wide array of new characters introduced. The story was a big "meh."
May 9, 2023
Didn't seem as well written as her previous books, clumsy in spots. But good story that held my interest anyway. Read it in an afternoon.
May 25, 2023
The dialogue was mostly vapid. "Do you want to talk?" "No" "Do you want to talk?" "No". Plotting needs some work as well.
June 3, 2023
Another strong outing from Anne Hillerman.
Bernie Manuelito and her husband Jim Chee, both members of the Navajo Police Dept. find themselves in Utah, at the Bears Ears National Monument. Bernie is there to get some peace and quiet; to come to grips with some recent personal disappointments. Jim is there as a favor to the new police chief; he is supposed to collect a donation from a local scientist/collector. It is December and the area is under a blizzard warning. Jim and Bernie want to do everything they've planned and get back to Shiprock before the snow becomes a problem. Of course things get complicated very quickly.
Bernie's solitary hike turns frightening when she's shot at after discovering vandalized petroglyphs; Jim's planned meeting with the donor is derailed with a murder and the disappearance of the donor.
The book gets off to a slow start as Hillerman tries to work in a lot of information about Bears Ears without it becoming too much like an info-dump. I personally loved all the info and didn't mind the ungraceful prose. Once the action kicked in I was glued to the page. The mystery was a good one; I had my suspicions about several people but wasn't sure how all the different threads would come together. The commercial mining of fossils, the illegal digs on park land, the vandalism, the harassment of the local Navajos, the murders, all had to fit together--but how?
I always love catching up with Jim and Bernie, and her mother and sister. (Leaphorn doesn't appear in this one, as he and Louisa are in Hawaii.) I am so glad that Anne Hillerman is continuing to bring us stories from Navajo country, and I am looking forward to the next one.
Bernie Manuelito and her husband Jim Chee, both members of the Navajo Police Dept. find themselves in Utah, at the Bears Ears National Monument. Bernie is there to get some peace and quiet; to come to grips with some recent personal disappointments. Jim is there as a favor to the new police chief; he is supposed to collect a donation from a local scientist/collector. It is December and the area is under a blizzard warning. Jim and Bernie want to do everything they've planned and get back to Shiprock before the snow becomes a problem. Of course things get complicated very quickly.
Bernie's solitary hike turns frightening when she's shot at after discovering vandalized petroglyphs; Jim's planned meeting with the donor is derailed with a murder and the disappearance of the donor.
The book gets off to a slow start as Hillerman tries to work in a lot of information about Bears Ears without it becoming too much like an info-dump. I personally loved all the info and didn't mind the ungraceful prose. Once the action kicked in I was glued to the page. The mystery was a good one; I had my suspicions about several people but wasn't sure how all the different threads would come together. The commercial mining of fossils, the illegal digs on park land, the vandalism, the harassment of the local Navajos, the murders, all had to fit together--but how?
I always love catching up with Jim and Bernie, and her mother and sister. (Leaphorn doesn't appear in this one, as he and Louisa are in Hawaii.) I am so glad that Anne Hillerman is continuing to bring us stories from Navajo country, and I am looking forward to the next one.
August 30, 2023
The setting of this mystery was Bear’s Ears and Bluff, Utah.
Love that area and it was easy to visualize the unfolding of the story. I miss Leaphorn, but Chee and Bernie are fun to follow, too!
Love that area and it was easy to visualize the unfolding of the story. I miss Leaphorn, but Chee and Bernie are fun to follow, too!
July 25, 2025
Lotsa plot, less mystery
The Way of the Bear is the 26th novel in the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito mystery series by Tony and Anne Hillerman, and the eighth since daughter Anne's 2013 reboot of her father's series with Spider Woman's Daughter. (The "About the Author" bio at the book's end claims "This is her eighth novel featuring Bernadette Manuelito and the twenty-fifth in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series begun by her late father, Tony Hillerman." I don't know where the 25/26 discrepancy comes from -- in a series this long, off-by-one errors are easy.)
I found this more entertaining than average, mainly because there was always something going on. There's more event and emotion in this one than in the last. If, however, you are a more traditional mystery reader, you might be disappointed in this one, because the mystery is largely spoiled by a short early chapter in which the identity of the main culprit is revealed. If like me you are not personally invested in solving the mystery for yourself, this will not bother you.
Most of the action takes place at the USA's newest National Park, Bear's Ears National Monument, which was protected because of its large heritage of fossils and early human remains. Several of the main characters are paleontologists and archaeologists. Although I have no doubt that paleontology is as scientifically exciting as here presented, I seriously doubt that many practitioners find in it a path to fabulous wealth, or a motivation for murder. (It is possible that I am just ignorant of the fossil black market.)
This one is entirely about Bernie and Chee, who are together at Bear's Ears for most of the story. (Joe Leaphorn is still in Hawaii with Louisa.) Both are going through some things, and Bernie in particular is in an emotionally fragile state for most of the book. Now, if you've read previous books in the series, you're probably thinking something like, "'Emotionally fragile'? Bernie?" Yes, she is. All is eventually explained.
So, this is a fun mystery novel that, besides telling a packed story, also advances our understanding of Bernie and Chee. And of course, as always, of the Diné!
Blog review.
The Way of the Bear is the 26th novel in the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito mystery series by Tony and Anne Hillerman, and the eighth since daughter Anne's 2013 reboot of her father's series with Spider Woman's Daughter. (The "About the Author" bio at the book's end claims "This is her eighth novel featuring Bernadette Manuelito and the twenty-fifth in the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series begun by her late father, Tony Hillerman." I don't know where the 25/26 discrepancy comes from -- in a series this long, off-by-one errors are easy.)
I found this more entertaining than average, mainly because there was always something going on. There's more event and emotion in this one than in the last. If, however, you are a more traditional mystery reader, you might be disappointed in this one, because the mystery is largely spoiled by a short early chapter in which the identity of the main culprit is revealed. If like me you are not personally invested in solving the mystery for yourself, this will not bother you.
Most of the action takes place at the USA's newest National Park, Bear's Ears National Monument, which was protected because of its large heritage of fossils and early human remains. Several of the main characters are paleontologists and archaeologists. Although I have no doubt that paleontology is as scientifically exciting as here presented, I seriously doubt that many practitioners find in it a path to fabulous wealth, or a motivation for murder. (It is possible that I am just ignorant of the fossil black market.)
This one is entirely about Bernie and Chee, who are together at Bear's Ears for most of the story. (Joe Leaphorn is still in Hawaii with Louisa.) Both are going through some things, and Bernie in particular is in an emotionally fragile state for most of the book. Now, if you've read previous books in the series, you're probably thinking something like, "'Emotionally fragile'? Bernie?" Yes, she is. All is eventually explained.
So, this is a fun mystery novel that, besides telling a packed story, also advances our understanding of Bernie and Chee. And of course, as always, of the Diné!
Blog review.
February 1, 2024
I have read all of Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee books and all (to date) of his daughter's sequels. Sadly his daughter is not quite the writer he was. I don't know if I am getting tired of the series or if the more recent books aren't as good as the early ones but I think I am about to call it quits. The characters are wooden with emotions that are declared rather than shown in their actions. This one had too many "bad guys" with rather blurry motives and undeveloped personalities. The ending was one crisis after another with some rather strange interactions among the various groups of people. Too bad. This was a good series until it wasn't.
August 5, 2023
The level of writing in this series went down significantly when Tony Hillerman passed away (RIP) and Anne took over. (BTW changing the name of a series while keeping all the same characters doesn’t mean you can start over with Book #1 and claim the series as your own). Anyway, I read every book in this series because I love the southwestern setting and how the Native American culture is woven into modern day law enforcement. No more. Without getting into details, this book got childishly political on page 10. I’m done with this book and the entire series.
May 8, 2023
Not for me
I wanted to try a new author, so got this from the library. It’s ok, I guess. I found it boring and difficult to keep reading. Made it to half, then read last chapter. Doesn’t seem I missed much. Bad guys revealed weren’t surprising. Others may enjoy it, but I really didn’t.
I wanted to try a new author, so got this from the library. It’s ok, I guess. I found it boring and difficult to keep reading. Made it to half, then read last chapter. Doesn’t seem I missed much. Bad guys revealed weren’t surprising. Others may enjoy it, but I really didn’t.
May 28, 2023
Disappointment in the current Hillerman generation
The story was interesting but the telling of it was tedious and boring. Despite drawing upon beloved central figures from her father's novels, character development was minimal.across the board. The poor writing throughout was especially disappointing. Anne apparently did not inherit Tony's literary talent.
The story was interesting but the telling of it was tedious and boring. Despite drawing upon beloved central figures from her father's novels, character development was minimal.across the board. The poor writing throughout was especially disappointing. Anne apparently did not inherit Tony's literary talent.
July 23, 2023
I was disappointed in the quality of the writing in this book. It often felt wooden or formulaic to me in a way I hadn’t seen in Anne Hillerman’s writing before. I hope this was an aberration and that the next book in the series is of better quality.
December 25, 2023
This had a compelling storyline featuring both Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito working together to solve more than one mystery in Utah’s Bears Ears NationaL Monument. The main characters are well-developed and sympathetic, as is some of the supporting cast. However, the one-dimensional villain keeps this from being a compelling read. The chilly scenes of winter are well described, as are the sections on fossils and the archaeological and paleontological past of this fascinating part of the country.
May 12, 2023
Another favorite writer to be celebrated.
I believe Anne Hillerman has out-stripped her father in her portrayal of indigenous folks in the contemporary world.
The big crunch in this story is that Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito are trying to take a weekend off. Alas, several blizzards and some evil doing screw up their plans and they are forced to (no, I'll let THAT part surprise you), to suss out who is bad and who is just misguided, how archaeologists of the south west operate (and how they shouldn't), and Bernie's fraught relationships with her mother and sister play out.. This time.
The interplay of characters is intricate and tidy, revealing people's attitudes and their parts in the action almost police-meal.
VERY nicely done, Ms Hillerman
I believe Anne Hillerman has out-stripped her father in her portrayal of indigenous folks in the contemporary world.
The big crunch in this story is that Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito are trying to take a weekend off. Alas, several blizzards and some evil doing screw up their plans and they are forced to (no, I'll let THAT part surprise you), to suss out who is bad and who is just misguided, how archaeologists of the south west operate (and how they shouldn't), and Bernie's fraught relationships with her mother and sister play out.. This time.
The interplay of characters is intricate and tidy, revealing people's attitudes and their parts in the action almost police-meal.
VERY nicely done, Ms Hillerman
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