Customer Reviews

Talking God

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Hillerman has carved out his own niche in the American mystery genre, that of the Southwestern Navajo reservation, and it is one I return to again and again with the confidence of receiving pleasure and edification (Hillerman, not an American Indian himself, nevertheless qualifies as a world class expert on the ways and folklore of these people and he renders them beautifully and cogently for his readers). He is no literary mystery novelist on the order of a James Lee Burke or P.D. James or Joseph Hansen, but he is a more than solid storyteller who creates a world unlike that most of us have ever visited. He has his weaknesses - stilted dialogue and often one dimensional characterizations - but they are more than compensated for by Hillerman's uncanny sense of place and pace.

With that said, let me warn you not to start with TALKING GOD if you have never read Hillerman, first of all because he uproots his famed protagonists Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee from their normal bailiwick and transplants them in Washington, D.C., as they attempt to unravel more than one mystery that all seem to lead back to Indian burial rituals and illegally unearthed remains and conflict with foreign governments. It's a good book, solid and compelling for the most part and it features a truly frightening villain, maybe Hillerman's best bad guy up to that point, but we miss the "Res" and the natural mystery of its landscape and the wonderful way Hillerman makes it come alive.

So wait on this one and start with DANCE HALL OF THE DEAD or THE BLESSING WAY. TALKING GOD will come as a later treat once you have properly acquainted yourself with the mystery and magic of Hillerman's peculiar world.

If you are a fan of Lt. Leaphorn and Detective Chee you will enjoy this story. When reading Hillerman's books, I look forward to learning more about the beautiful land and Navajo people. The setting for much of this book is outside of the Navajo reservation. Even so, I enjoyed this book tremendously and, unlike other reviewers, found it to be a fast read. I was captivated by the methodical methods used by the policemen in approaching their investigations. I felt as if I personally knew the main characters as I would a friend or neighbor. I enjoyed following the seperate investigative paths of the policeman and watching the police work entwine to solve the mysteries presented in the book. A good mystery with "puzzles" that require some thought. As an added bonus, the book leaves the reader with moral lessons to ponder.

Only recently have I discovered Tony Hillerman's series dealing with Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. Since reading "A Thief In Time", I have been hooked and am working my way through the entire series. The milieu of the Four Corners High Desert is the centerpiece of these novels that pit the clever Navajo cops against a string of drug smugglers, artifact traders, land grabbers, and other assorted no-goods. In each case, a significant aspect of Navajo culture is blended with modern greed and murder. "Talking God" is an excellent example of Hillerman's techniques. In this mystrey, Hillerman has Leaphorn and Chee working on two seemingly unrelated cases. Although the reader knows that these two will eventually merge, it is difficult to imagine the possible relationship. Both cases are baffling to the investigators, and each solution requires pieces from the other. Hillerman's technique of allowing Leaphorn and Chee to come to the conclusion that their cases are interconnected, and then discuss the aspects of each,while filling in the blanks, makes for a satisfying conclusion. In "Talking God" Hillerman uses his standard technique of first person narrative, with chapters alternating between Leaphorn and Chee. But in "Talking God," he adds the presence of Leroy Fleck, a sociopathic stone killer. Fleck's narrative of his involvement in the main storyline, and a very chilling sub-plot concerning his mother, are reminiscent of classic noir narratives. When Leaphorn, Chee, Fleck, and several other principal characters, meet in the conclusion, only fireworks result, producing a predictable yet acceptable climax. This is Hillerman near his best.

In this, the ninth Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee mystery, Tony Hillerman moves some of his action outside his favored Navajo nation to the streets and museums of Washington DC. In "Talking God," Hillerman's police duo combine their skills once more for a riveting Hillerman police procedural. Both men are pursuing different crimes, and both end up in the nation's capital in an exciting run. Chee is in Washington to arrest Henry Highhawk, a Smithsonian curator and native American, for plundering the bones of their ancestors; Leaphorn is looking for the identity of a murder victim. As always, Hillerman provides much local color, culture, and socio/economic dynamics of the Navajos, many of whom are grasping quite desperately at maintaining a balance between their history and the present day sets of values. At the same time,"Talking God" is a compelling, gripping read in true Hillerman fashion. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

Chee and Leaphorn travel to Washington DC in an attempt to uncover mysteries that nag upon their souls. I won't talk very much about the plot. I am sure that if you read other reviews here you will pretty much satisfy your needs in that regards to your content. What I will say is that this novel is pretty much the same as every other Chee/Leaphorn duo in the Hillerman archive. Both of them stumble across something that isn't right, and as they work towards solving their problems, their work gets intertwined. After reading this scenario a dozen times, it becomes a bit tedious. Especially when Hillerman stretches plausibility. This work contains characters and plots that read like a fantastical comic book. The main evildoer is so typical that it is hard to take him seriously.

The only good thing about this book is the personal interactions with Chee, Leaphorn, and Janet Pete (Chee's current love interest). I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it played up primarily personal dealings with these three characters and others along the way while playing down the tired mystery that sadly overwhelms these pages.

This book was one of the best mysteries I've ever read! Hillerman is a great author, and this book would have to be one of his best. There are many different characters and each of them have their own distinct personality, making the book interesting. This book is a must read!

This is a very good mystery, even if it is a little slow moving. It is really cool the way the bad guy kills the other guy. I've heard other Tony Hillerman books are better (and more fast paced and exciting).

For five years I lived in the area depicted by Mr.Hellerman, and found that his descriptions of the Navajo reservation land were so accurate that, in my mind, I could re-drive dusty roads with his characters. My family could recall every detail of his descriptions and attest to the cultural accuracy of his setting. Although riviting, readers should not evaluate this novel by plot alone. This fictional (?) story existed in a real time and place. This book had a profound effect on me, as it was read aloud to me while I was in a coma! It brought together two of the most profoundly spiritual peek-experiences in my life. What other murder-mystery can boast of producing such meaningful affect?

Once again, Tony Hillerman weaves a great story with many threads intertwining. We get to revisit old friends from previous stories and some new ones. Therefore, the story assumes you have already read some earlier Hillerman's. It mainly takes place in Washington DC. However, we are treated to the "The Night Chant" ceremony, which introduces us to talking God Yeibichai.

This time our story carries us to the Smithsonian Institute. Joe Leaphorn with only a few days left until his retirement is intrigued when they find a body of a man with no teeth off the side of an Amtrak line. Jim Chee is tasked with arresting a grave robber at the ceremony. When everyone else gives up Joe Leaphorn goes that extra step to uncover the mystery of the men beside the tracks. Jim Chee goes that extra step to discover the person who is the grave robber and now hiring Jim Chee's ex-girlfriend as his attorney. Will Jim and Joe cross each other's paths? Moreover, is there a link between these two stories?

You will be introduced to some other Navaho ways and gods. At first, it will seem the story is going on forever but then you may be disappointed because it ends too soon. Either way this makes a great reading experience.

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For Kindle readers this is text-to-speech enable so you have the added plus of hearing it being read as you read along. This also keeps you from the nasty habit of skimming and missing the crucial words.

Also on the Kindle version is a description of how Tony Hillerman created the story. Then there is a small synopsis of many of his other novels.

This review is written in response to others which seem to want to keep this great writer in a familiar box.
I've read nearly every Hillerman book. Talking God appeals to me most because here, Tony Hillerman has added a level of conflict and interest not found in his other books. Variety is the spice of life and "Talking God" reflects the talent and versatility of this great writer. It's a captivating work, miles ahead of most contemporary mysteries because Hillerman's characters resolve conflict with a fresh view life from a Native American perspective. Read it for yourself.