Tony Hillerman Rules (Rating 5 of 5)
» Hadley Garland
Too bad he passed away. A true master. All of his books are fantastic
A last look (Rating 3 of 5)
» tertius3
This is a fantastic tale about a belagaana version of a ye-ne-L o si (see title). Right, Hillerman gives us a generous dose of Navaho lore in this last story of the legendary Lt. Leaphorn. This retired and bored officer of the Navaho Police is showing his age, as was Hillerman. Their memory, skill, and physical condition are weakening. In the story, Leaphorn has his curiosity aroused by the reappearance of a famously cursed tale-teller rug, supposedly incinerated in a trading-post fire--along with an F.B.I. Most Wanted--decades ago when Leaphorn was a young cop. Very strange: how came it to its rich new owner? Various bits of rumor and evidence suggest there is a very devious killer somewhere about who meticulously leaves "no clues" behind, but always collaborators(!) left holding the empty bag. Leaphorn's protegé, officer Jim Chee, plays a small role; in fact the story is mostly told to him by Leaphorn as one long flashback (although I had a bit of trouble distinguishing present from flashback). No wonder Leaphorn is so careful in what he will tell Chee, for his solution to the crimes is highly ethically ambiguous, and loose ends (e.g., a dead elk) might come back to trip him up--if there is a sequel. You may feel lost in the desert if you have not read earlier volumes in this atmospheric series, or disappointed if you remember the good ones too well, but only just until Hillerman draws you deep into the dusty Arizona-New Mexico rural milieu
Still good writing..... to the Navajo, the Shape Shifter, becomes a prot (Rating 5 of 5)
» Sylvia Starr
"The Shape Shifter" by Tony Hillerman
Harper
ISBN: 10-0060563478
Reviewed by Sylvia Starr
A figure in the complex fabric of myth/history belonging to the Navajo, the Shape Shifter, becomes a prototype for this Tony Hillerman novel and becomes the book's title. Shape Shifter. Who is he? Put simply, the Shape Shifter is a being who can assume new guises and appear in different, unexpected places at will. Belief in such a creature not only broadens the imagination but lends itself to very deft crime-solving as well.
In Hillerman's book, the Shape Shifter becomes the motif for a fascinating story of robberies and arsons linked by one individual in several otherwise unrelated settings. Who would have guessed?
Familiar and endearing is a character who is a favorite in the now familiar Hillerman story landscape. Sergeant Joe Leaphorn of the Navajo tribal police appears as the main character again and acts to further thread the disjointed story facts together.
Sergeant Leaphorn has grown older as time, and the books Tony Hillerman has given
us, have each gently moved on in an accumulated backlog of stories. Leaphorn is now retired and not so very busy. An intriguing cold case re-opens. It promises to enliven otherwise empty days, brightening the faint sadness that can accompany the declining years. Leaphorn can and does wonder - his mind is still razor sharp. Yet truly, how, as a technical matter, can he solve his case? He is officially retired. That is an impediment despite his repeated brave reminder to himself that he is still deputized in a couple of Sheriff departments. And, as often happens, he has other doubts. He wonders if he is not retired for good reason.
Leaphorn embarks on the case, drawn in irresistibly, it seems. Jim Chee steps in to support and work with him. He is as an occasional stand-in for his old friend and mentor, and this with a sensitivity that seems natural for a Navajo character. Leaphorn still leads the investigation. But he finds himself not even as able physically as he once was. Sometimes he hesitates seriously about needed trips which should be timely. The point to point, long expeditions across the empty countryside challenge a choice: time saved as against comfort. At times comfort, which is a matter of pain, stiffness and energy, have to win.
Hillerman deals with the challenges and dilemmas posed by his story neatly. He solves his case: he draws on Leaphorn's well earned wisdom, on his kindness, and on his knowledge of his people's history and beliefs. In such a way, and with good support, others trip - and resolve - the book's critical physical crisis. This final solution is convincing, and neatly crafted.
"The Shape Shifter" was good reading, made very pleasant by our fondness for its main characters, and once again, its setting. This is an absorbing tale, carefully woven with good attention to detail and motivation (and with both respect and real freshness drawn from its highly original American sources).
I found some of the long recitations of folk/religious myths which are so important for the two main characters a slight flaw. Personally I tire easily of such talk, at the same time that I value it. Occasional practicalities in this story also bothered me. The small sums of money garnered by robbery and arson from trading posts and stores in the hinterland seemed incongruent as motivation for the villain. It seems unlikely that a competent, sophisticated individual who collects fine homes, art work, and expensive rugs, would involve himself with these kinds of low-pay heists. In fact, I found any reference to specific fiscal realities worked to interrupt my belief factor. But I forgave these things quickly. After all, I like this world that Hillerman believes in so much. I know I am not alone in deeply regretting the recent news that Tony Hillerman will not be able to share it with us again, and in being thankful that he could give us his splendid array of Navajo Tribal Police books as entertainment
What really amazes me is (Rating 5 of 5)
» Sherril L. Johnson
that he wrote this while living with several fatal chronic illnesses. Excellent book, as usual
Disappointed (Rating 2 of 5)
» John Lilly
A long time fan of Tony Hillerman, and just returned from a trip to the southwest I was eager to read The Shape Shifter. While the stories of the "tale teller" rug were compelling, the plot was far-fetched and the biggest disappointment of all was the portrayal of Joe Leaphorn. Previously he has been cerebral and laconic. In The Shape Shifter he's practically an extrovert and more of a risk taker than Jim Chee. I am grateful to Tony Hillerman for many wonderful books in the Leaphorn/Chee saga, but this one was disappointing
(Rating 5 of 5)
(Rating 3 of 5)
(Rating 2 of 5)
