Customer Reviews

The First Eagle

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(14)
2 star:		(14)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I understand why some of the other reviewers say that this is one of Mr. Hillerman's weaker efforts, however, I disagree with the conclusion that he is coasting. When I first began the book it was like meeting an old friend, all of the familiar likeable characters are there as is the imagery. If they are present in a lesser degree than in earlier works, I think it because Mr. Hillerman is justifiably building on the earlier works. There is no need to re-invent the wheel. The work also shows its quality in the development of even minor characters such as Mac Guiness. He and his trading post have been seen throughout the series but in First Eagle Tony Hillerman has visibly aged each. You can almost see the dust in the trading post and smell the stale whiskey. This "character-aging" is poignant with the current condition of Jim Chee's uncle Hosteen Nicae. Moreover, the plot is chilling and intelligently developed. Tony Hillerman has hit upon a real, significant issue. The medical-scientific discussions were lucid and well thought out. Finally, Jim Chee should definitely dump Janet Peet.

Tony Hillerman novels explore two landscapes - the red rock/AAA Indian Country map landscape and the landscape of intersecting cultures and law enforcement agencies. The First Eagle spends most of its time in the second landscape, and for that reason, it's good police procedural and good but not great Hillerman. Chee is now an Acting Lieutenant and Leaphorn is retired [but still the Legendary Lieutenant Leaphorn in Chee's mind]. Despite the fact that Chee is a cop and Leaphorn is trying out the role of private investigator, our two main characters still solve the crime when they put their heads together. This is a story of agencies - health agencies looking for plague bacteria and hantavirus and law enforcement agencies looking for killers and good press. Differing points of view provide much of the tension in the story [Hopi v. Navajo, Washington v. the rez, Jim Chee v. Janet Pete, the truth v. political gain]. Yells Back Butte is the place where Jim Chee's murder investigation and Joe Leaphorn's missing person case intersect. If you must have lots of red rock in your Hillerman, First Eagle may disappoint you. I enjoyed The First Eagle, but not enough to give it the fifth star. A plea to all mystery reviewers: please don't give away the ending! I read some of the reviews on this site when I was part way through the book and one of the reviews gives away too much information about the killer while stating the reasons for the reviewer's displeasure.

Okay, so "Eagle" and for that matter "Falling Man" weren't up to the standards set by "Talking God"/"Coytoe Waits," but it's still a fine read. The pages seem to turn themselves and suddenly what started as "only one chapter" has turned into half the book.

The Jim Chee/Joe Leaphorn relationship is in top form, and I believe most people can remember a time when they were the very junior member of a working relationship. It's very easy to be dazzled and intimidated by someone for years. It's also understandible the inevitible dread that Leaphorn brings into Chee's life. Seeing him usually means that Chee messed up somewhere along the line, and nobody likes to be reminded of that.

Being from Shiprock, I love reading about my home. Hillerman's descriptions are dead-on of the land, the terrain and the people. I adored this novel for its sensitive handling of the hauntavirus crisis and the terror it invokes every year. Hilerman knows, understands.

I realize that anglos not native to the four corners area feel an intellectual pride in reading Hilerman. I wish they wouldn't. I don't know how many times people have given me some sort of spiel about how connected they feel to me because they read "Skinwalker". Hilerman's a great writer, granted, but I'm not a character in his book.

I've been disappointed in Hillerman's recent Leaphorn/Chee novels: I felt that "Sacred Clowns" had a truly lame plot, and "Fallen Man" was better plotted but often read more like a rough draft than a finished novel. This mystery focuses on a compelling issue, the characters and settings are vivid, and both Chee's emotional roller-coaster and Leaphorn's developing relationship with his lady friend are well done. Unfortunately, if you're familiar with Hillerman's previous novels you'll figure out who done it, and why, about 1/3 of the way through -- but that doesn't necessarily ruin the book, as in these novels most of the pleasure is in watching the characters themselves figure it out! This isn't one of his best, but it's still head and shoulders above the past few novels in the series.

This is a good read in the Hillerman genre. But not as riveting as many of his previous books. Not complaining -- bad Hillerman is better than most books, and this aint bad at all -- but he's done better. Still, a very enjoyable read. A different Leaphorn and a different Chee. Good -- not great -- Hillerman book.

This is a pleasurable entry in the Jim Chee/Joe Leaphorn series. Though it seems minimalist compared with author Hillerman's earlier achievements in THIEF OF TIME and TALKING GOD, it really has a lot going for it. It does not cover the folklore in depth as previous volumes have, but it stands on its own as a diverting mystery with interesting characters.

Hillerman continues to make use of his own time-honored device to launch two plotlines in THE FIRST EAGLE, one featuring Jim Chee, now Acting Lieutenant on the Navajo reservation police squad, and the other, Joe Leaphorn, former Lietenant in charge, now retired. Jim Chee has the death of a cop and a suspect he's caught red-handed over the body, and Leaphorn has a missing person's case, his first civilian detecting job. Hillerman braids the strands together, along with many complications, including research scientists and health officers chasing down sources of contemporary outcroppings of bubonic plague on the reservation. While it is apparent who at least one bad guy is in the first chapter, the why, what and how unfolds not so easily. Clues and red herrings mount up entertainingly.

Chee and Leaphorn are nicely sketched, with progressive shading. Female characters have never been Hillerman's strength, but Louisa, Leaphorn's friend is good company, and the glamorous Janet Pete returns to drive an edginess into Chee's life and the plot. The bad guys are original but not particularly nuanced.

"First Eagle" is another great Tony Hillerman novel. I think this one deserves extra praise due to the continuing character development Hillerman provides us with. Joe Leaporn is still as "classic" as ever, but is starting to show another side especially as a civilian. Chee is starting to live up to his ancestral name by picking up more of Leaphorn's techniques. Some of the smaller characters are also being developed, not abandoned like some many authors do. The only character I dislike and do not see any development with his Janet Pete. The Black Plague part of the story is interesting and realistic. I remember driving through this area in the early 90s when this was hot subject.

Also, if you have never tried an audiobook before, try one where George Guidall is the speaker. I read the first few Hillerman books and then discovered the audiobook version. After listening to dozens of audiobooks, there is no doubt that George Guidall is the best male speaker I have heard. He does an unbelievable job with both the Leaphorn and Chee characters. He also has done the entire Patrick Robison submarine series which is worth looking at.

One last note, I had the opportunity this summer to visit Tuba City. It is really great when you can tie the Hillerman books to the geographic locations he discusses in his books.

I love everything about Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn. I love their native blood, their corner of the world, their integrity, their skills as lawmen. I eagerly await each new Hillerman book and was on the list at amazon.com for weeks for his latest story.

With that said, I must admit that this was the first time since "Finding Moon" that I did not finish a Hillerman/Chee/Leaphorn story in one sitting. In fact, it took me almost a week to slog through to the conclusion.

The story had little, if any, cohesivenss -- I had to re-read parts to keep all the characters straight. I found several of the plot devices trite and so beneath the characters.

I did like Joe Leaphorn's new love interest and look forward to more stories with the two of them joining forces to solve crimes.

I was also very touched by the scene between Jim Chee and his beloved granduncle. I wept at the end of that chapter. Hillerman's talents were at full tilt during this scene and I wished for more of the same...it just wasn't to be found in this book.

"First Eagle" is not a true representation of Hillerman's abilities. If you're a first time reader, try ANY of the earlier stories. To me, they're heads above this latest effort.

Terry Mathews

Because this is my first access to Tony Hillerman I can tell you of the worth of this story without having to compare to earlier works. This was a recording Preformed by George Guidall.

I was going for the story. That is why I buy book. However I understand that many people buy Hillerman for the ambiance. I found enough supporting information to make this story stand alone with out having to have a broad background from earlier books. I found the mystery well designed and the characters well rounded.

I have traveled in the locations mentioned in the book. However I only recognize a few of the place names. Probably if I was more familiar with the people of that regain I would have picked up on other things implied and described. I did however recognize the San Francisco Mountains and Shiprock. The big recognition shocker was the reference to the Navaho Taco. Last time I was at Mesa Verde they were five dollars.

In the audio edition the story is narrated by George Guidall. George almost sounds like Tony himself and adds a hand-me down story telling dimension to the novel.

This book stands alone and if you have not already makes you want to start the series.

Tony Hillerman has once again created a fresh and involving entry in his fine series about the Navajo Tribal Police. A retired Leaphorn is at loose ends after the death of his beloved wife, Emma. Chee is the acting Lieutenant, but has reservations over the possibility it might become permanent. There is a little less of the Navajo mysticism in this entry, but the vast territory covered by the Navajo Tribal Police is given its due as always.

Hillerman dedicated First Eagle to the six officers who had given their lives in defense of their people from the time he wrote his first book until this one. It is only fitting that while keeping true to the Navajo atmosphere always present in the series, good police work and the very real dangers involved for the Tribal Police are brought to the forefront.

Leaphorn is asked to look for the missing Catherine Pollard and that unofficial inquiry will intersect with Chee's investigation into an officer's death. Chee's case is seemingly all wrapped up, but may be more complex than it first appeared. He is chagrined to discover he is still a little intimidated by Leaphorn, but as the two cases cross paths they will once again peel back a little more of the veneer and move closer to understanding each other.

This one has everything from poaching eagles to the possibility of the bubonic plague being spread all across the Navajo landscape. Why a pack of prairie dogs are unaffected, and an old Navajo woman who claims to have seen a skinwalker will figure greatly into the exciting conclusion to this one. The ending is also heartfelt for Chee, as his relationship with the pretty lawyer Janet begins to flame out, for she may be Navajo in name only after her time in Washington.

I highly recommend this entry in the series, though a bit different than some others. A fine read.