The Shaman's Game (Shaman Mysteries) [Hardcover]

James D. Doss (Author)

Book Description

Series: Shaman Mysteries | Publication Date: August 5, 1998

In the fourth richly atmospheric Shaman mystery by author James D. Doss -- the second to be published in hardcover by Avon Books -- participants in the grueling Native American ritual called the Sun Dance have been dying for no apparent reason. Ute shaman Daisy Perika is receiving warnings from the spirits that there is a great evil in her midst. But Daisy's nephew Charlie Moon -- the tribal policeman investigating the unexplained fatalities -- suspects there are more natural forces at work. The stakes rise considerably for Moon when a childhood friend decides to look into the bizarre incidents for a newspaper article. Suddenly people the dedicated Native American lawman cares for deeply are in harm's way.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For the Ute Indians of southwestern Colorado, the Sun Dance is a quest for healing and connection with the higher power. It is also a physically punishing ritual. When three people die during two dances, tribal police officer Charlie Moon (in the fourth captivating book of this exceptional series, after The Shaman's Bones, 1997) can't quite accept the verdicts of natural causes. Moon's aunt, elderly shaman Daisy Perika, dreams that the victims were targets of a witch. A lovely but frail young Ute woman, Delly Sands, recently returned to the reservation and working for the tribal newspaper, thinks that her reporting will unmask the witch. When Delly herself is wounded in an attack with a weapon that has powerful tribal symbolism, Moon must take Aunt Daisy's warning more seriously. The old shaman determines to expose the witch on her own, a "game" that could cause more deaths. As in the previous Shaman stories, Doss skillfully navigates the tricky terrain between fact and fable, as Moon balances clear-eyed cop logic with timeless tribal beliefs that can make their own reality. The Sun Dance scenes are spellbinding, rendered with powerful conviction and knowledgeable respect.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When young and healthy participants of the Sun Dance inexplicably die, Charlie Moon, tribal policeman on the Southern Ute reservation, investigates. Once again, the realities of police procedure mix with the "illusory" wisdom of a tribal shaman. An excellent series (The Shaman's Bones, LJ 9/1/97) for fans of Tony Hillerman and other Southwestern mysteries.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1st edition (August 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380974258
• ISBN-13: 978-0380974252
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #803,921 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JAMES D. DOSS is the author of twelve Charlie Moon mysteries, two of which were named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly. Originally from Kentucky, he divides his time between Los Alamos and Taos, New Mexico.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A mystical mystery, August 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Shaman's Game (Shaman Mysteries) (Hardcover)

It is a healing ritual for the Utes living in Southwestern Colorado. However, the Sun Dance is also a physically demanding event. Still, when hale and hearty tribesmen die during the dance, tribal police officer Charlie Moon suspects foul play even though the official report is death due to natural causes.

However, the skeptical Charlie refuses to accept the explanation of his shaman aunt Daisy, who believes that an evil presence amidst the tribe is killing the participants. While Charlie continues to investigate the deaths, tribal reporter Delly Sands feels that she can ferret out the identity of the witch behind the recent deaths. However, Delly soon becomes a target and is hurt. Charlie begins to take Aunt Daisy seriously as he realizes that he is fighting something outside his understanding.

The fourth entry in the Moon mysteries, THE SHAMAN'S GAME, is a great new edition to one of the best Native American detective stories on the market today. The characters feel genuine, even though their beliefs are very diverse. Some believe deeply in the Indian spiritual world while others have been Anglicized. The story line brilliantly balances the dance between police procedural and ethnic heritage. However, what makes this particular novel stand out is James D. Doss's delightful description and dazzling deference to the power of the Sun Dance.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs to improve female characters., February 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Shaman's Game (Shaman Mysteries) (Hardcover)

I grew up in the Four Corners area and generally enjoy Doss' portrayal of the area and of the Utes. I felt this book was not up to the others because of the annoying habit of portraying two of the main characters as child-women. There was an abundance of tiny hands, tiny waists, and tiny feet in tiny red shoes. Surely there are some tough, intelligent, and attractive Ute women. By the end I was ready for the two tiny women to jump off the Rio Grande Gorge, tiny hand in tiny hand.