Finding Moon [Mass Market Paperback]

Tony Hillerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 19, 1996

A phone call in 1975 changes Moon Mathias's life forever, as a voice on the line tells him his dead brother's baby daughter—a child Moon never knew existed—is waiting for him in Southeast Asia.

A task he believes beyond his meager talents is pulling Moon to Vietnam. In a chilling world of mystery and silence, disguise and deception, he'll risk everything for the sake of one little girl—and discover a Moon Mathias who's a better man than he ever thought he could be.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Location figures powerfully in Hillerman's newest novel, but it isn't the Southwest of his Navajo mysteries (Sacred Clowns, etc.), nor is this a Joe Leaphorn story. In April 1975, Moon Mathias, managing editor of a small-town Colorado newspaper, begins a redemptive journey that takes him first to Manila and then across the South China Sea to Cambodia, just as Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge begin their reign of terror. Moon's brother Ricky, owner of a helicopter transportation service based in Cambodia, has recently died in a jungle crash. Their mother receives word that Ricky's baby daughter is being smuggled out of Vietnam to the Philippines. After his mother has a heart attack in the Manila airport, Moon takes over her mission, but the child does not arrive. Finding and contacting Ricky's acquaintances, Moon fights time, political exigencies and his ignorance of his brother's life as he tries doggedly to locate his niece. The effort involves an appealing cast, including a wealthy Chinese man seeking his ancestors' bones, a Dutch woman searching for her missionary brother and Vietnamese refugees, who join Moon on a suspenseful, albeit not quite credible, journey to a series of villages along the Mekong River. In the end, as the title suggests, Moon finds more than he'd known was lost. Hillerman's mastery of setting and his compassionate, patient characterization are fully present in this tale, which is otherwise somewhat formulaic. 350,000 first printing; $300,000 ad/promo; HarperAudio.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Beginning with The Blessing Way (LJ 5/15/70), Hillerman has contrasted the contemporary cultures of Southwestern Native Americans with the dominant U.S. culture, creating best-selling mysteries in the process. Finding Moon is a dramatic departure, but it contains similar cultural contrasts. Set mostly in Vietnam during the fall of Saigon in 1975, it is the tale of Moon Mathias, self-described third-rate editor of a third-rate Colorado newspaper who, when his younger brother dies in Southeast Asia, discovers that there is a baby daughter missing somewhere in Vietnam. Reluctantly drawn into a search for the child, Moon is thereby drawn into a search for his own values. He leads a motley group of culturally varied misfits in his quest. With its vivid characters and a strong sense of place, trademarks of Hillerman mysteries, this tale will likely receive a strong reception in libraries everywhere.
--Roland Person, Southern Illinois Univ. Lib., Carbondale
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (June 19, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061092614
• ISBN-13: 978-0061092619
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #798,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tony Hillerman was the former president of the Mystery Writers of America and received its Edgar® and Grand Master awards. His other honors include the Center for the American Indian's Ambassador Award, the Silver Spur Award for the best novel set in the West, and the Navajo Tribe's Special Friend Award. He lived with his wife in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a surprisingly effective change of pace, June 12, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Ladysmith, B.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Finding Moon (Paperback)

I forced myself to read this book after I had exhausted the supply of Hillerman's Navajo mysteries. I was completely caught up in Moon Matthias' search for his niece and for himself. Mr. Hillerman subtly blended suspense with his usual attention to characters' integrity and his obvious respect for varied religious traditions. I was very satisfied with this story.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Niece-Finding Moon Trip, June 3, 2000

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 109,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Finding Moon (Mass Market Paperback)

Tony Hillerman has definitely given us his best change-up pitch with Finding Moon. We are not on the reservation. In fact, we travel back in time to the Vietnamese war as one simple man attempts to carry out his Mother's search for the missing niece of her dead, other son.

The story recounts twenty-seven days, with a few skipped. Each one leads off with a quote from the news of the time about Vietnam. The story ends on May 2, 1975. The last press quote begins: "Saigon, South Vietnam, April 29 (UPI)- A helicopter shuttle service began evacuating Americans from the roof of the U.S. Embassy today while marine guards kept thousands of desperate Vietnamese from breaking through the gates."

Moon has to meet many tough challenges, learn a lot about what he is really made of, and completes the hero's journey in fine fashion. You can see that there is also an element of the Phoenix rising from the ashes, as Moon seeks to preserve life at a time when life is very precarious as the South Vietnamese government falls.

You will seldom find an adventure-based mystery that is as rich in characterization and heart-warming plot as this one.

There are a lot of asides in the book about the Vietnam war, bureaucratic stalls in particular, and the nature of families that are worth the trip with Moon, as well.

It may take you a few pages to get over looking for the Navajo reservation in this novel, but soon you'll never miss it. You'll have an irresistible experience in the process!

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Change in Venue, December 9, 2003

By 

L. S. Orris (Penna.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finding Moon (Mass Market Paperback)

I just started reading Tony Hillerman and was really enjoying his Indian characters. When I saw a different venue it was exciting, and I couldn't wait to read it.
Well, it was interesting but not up to what I was used to from this author. The Story was good but not deep enough, you are always waitng for something to happen. No excitment. Moon was a boring character and could have been written with a little more depth.
Please stick with the characters you work with best.