Thursday, May 25, 2017

The Shape Shifter


The Shape Shifter is the 18th book in the Chee/Leaphorn mystery series by Tony Hillerman. I only have one book left to read from these -an early one I don't have yet- and I'm sad to see the end of them. I can re-read, of course, but it's just not quite the same.

from the dust jacket:
Legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn
is back, in this latest tale of murder and mystery
from the renowned bestselling author.
Since his retirement from the Navajo Tribal Police, Joe Leaphorn has occasionally been enticed to return to work by former colleagues who seek his help when they need to solve a particularly puzzling crime. They ask because Leaphorn, aided by officers Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito, always delivers.

But this time the problem is with an old case of Joe's -his "last case," unsolved, is one that continues to haunt him. And with Chee and Bernie just back from their honeymoon, Leaphorn is pretty much on his own.

The original case involved a priceless, one-of-a-kind Navajo rug supposedly destroyed in a fire. Suddenly, what looks like the same rug turns up in a magazine spread. And the man who brings the photo to Leaphorn's attention has gone missing. Leaphorn must pick up the threads of a crime he'd thought impossible to untangle. Not only has the passage of time obscured the details, but it also appears that there's a murderer still on the loose.
I've read these from this series:
1. The Blessing Way (1970)
2. Dance Hall of the Dead (1973)

4. People of Darkness (1980)
5. The Dark Wind (1982)
6. The Ghostway (1984)

7. Skinwalkers (1986)
8. Thief of Time (1988)
9. Talking God (1989)
10. Coyote Waits (1990)
11. Sacred Clowns (1993)
12. The Fallen Man (1996)
13. The First Eagle (1998)
14. Hunting Badger
15. The Wailing Wind
16. The Sinister Pig (2003)
17. Skeleton Man

6 comments:

  1. Like you. I LOVE this series. You've read way more than me but is too bad there aren't more. You know his daughter Anne hillerman picked up and has written 3 more. I've read the first 2 by here and I highly recommend them also. But maybe you've read those. Hope to someday read them all also. Hugs erika

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    1. I've been kinda skittish about trying his daughter's books, but I'll look for them since you're a fellow fan and recommend them. Thx!

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  2. It's so sad that Hillerman died and left us wanting more in this series. I was able to pick up a couple of these at my library on your recommendation, but they are not in order. I always appreciate your sharing your thoughts on the wonderful Chee/Leaphorn interactions. They made quite a pair.

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    1. I read a lot of them out of order. Their personal lives do move forward through time, but I think he gives enough context to make each book stand alone. They make a great pair, I agree!

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  3. Sounds like a great series.
    Unusual that his daughter has taken over writing for it.

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    1. Yes, I don't look kindly on kids who continue series books their parents started, but Erika recommends them so I'll give these a try.

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