Customer Reviews

The Shaman Sings

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In "The Shaman Sings," set in southwestern Colorado, the author artfully combines the worlds of Indian mysticism and modern science. Apparently inspired by Tony Hillerman (there's a direct reference to his books), Mr. Doss is no mere imitator; he has his own original approach. He skillfully shifts point of view among a diverse array of characters: the town police chief, the aged Indian woman who is the shaman of the title, a psychopathic maintenance man on the lam, a British expatriate recluse who was a cipher expert during WWII, and various members of the physics department at the local university. And he lets us into the mind of the madman killer, who at first could be any one of a number of characters. Gradually the possibilities are narrowed down until at last, thanks to the shaman, we find out whodunit. I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

This is a great book for people that like some humor with their mysteries. Although the titles of this series sound like the shaman is going to be the main protagonist, it doesn't work that way. There is a very humorous interaction between Charlie Moon, of the Tribal Police, who doesn't believe in magic, and his Grandmother who pretends she doesn't when around the priest but who sneaks out to confer with the local landspirit, a type of dwarf. The mystery is well thought out and kept interesting by the complex (but not TOO complex) characters. Of great importantce to me is that the characters also act within their characterization and motivations. This is a particular joy in this book where Charlie and his Grandmother are often working at cross purposes motive wize and a delightful weave of information back and forth as you move towards the ending. The grandmother in particular is sort of a ute 'maxine' with never a good word to say and a hillarious lineup of grumbles and mumbled complaints.

An engaging start gets very tangled and complicated. The style is breezy and loose. Caution that the narrative switches points of view in the same chapter or section; you have to be alert to these changing points of view. I had a really hard time believing that a cop would invite a reporter along on the investigation, for a long car trip, right after they had met. I had even harder time believing a small-town reporter would venture off on investigation to Washington, D.C. Nonetheless, the characters were sharp and distinct and the setting is rich. Caution that Charlie Moon doesn't show up until near the end.

I picked up this book, Doss' first in this mystery series, at a book swap and I'm going on book series number three. I was instantly captivated by this author's writing style. His vivid descriptions of the first crime scene at the beginning of this book had me up at night losing sleep (a compliment). I could not wait to dive into the next book. As a native of New Mexico, I traveled extensively to Colorado so I can say from firsthand knowledge that Doss' depictions of the scenery and setting as well as characters were so vivid and real. Best reading I've done in a looooong time!!

I really enjoyed this book on several levels -- the ending was a real surprise, the story is well-told and superbly plotted, most of the characters are believable and, in many cases, interesting and likable. I grew up northwestern New Mexico and found his descriptions of that area of the country very accurate. I especially liked the shaman, Daisy Perika, and her dreams and visions. The things I didn't like about the book are minor and deal mainly with the author's descriptions of the people at the college -- when is the last time you saw a female graduate student doing physics research in high heels and clip earrings? Or professors that were actively hostile to the police just on general principle? It also seemed to me that Doss plays to stereotypes unnecessarily -- the racist banter between the police and their prime suspect being the worst example. Doss leaves a few loose ends, I don't want to give anything away, but I finished the book wondering what exactly happened to two minor characters as well as what was the significance of Daisy's visions (not the dream, which was beautifully woven into the story, but the visions of the brujas y brujos at Chimney Rock). Oh, and I loved the joke about Sitting Bull and the Hunkpapa Sioux.

Wonderful justoposition of Indian metaphysics (what we in the Western world call "occult," but only because we haven't scientific instruments to measure) and the white world. Nice character development with Pariss, the Chicago cop come to the Southwest who has learned to act on his emotional nudges, the elderly Daisy who interacts with The Dwarf, Charlie Moon with a foot in both the Anglo culture and grudging awareness of the other world of his Ute upbringing, Anne the investigative reporter, and Pariss and Charlie's growing friendship. A wonderful continuing series. Read in chronological order -- though each book is complete within itself, characters are introduced and grow.

But read only if you are willing to suspend disbelief about the mental-spiritual world.

Nice to have on your bookshelf with Tony Hillerman and Peter Bowen.

WOW ! These are such great books by James D. Doss & then the great service A Good Combo any time.

After reading the synopsis on the back cover I was expecting to read a Charlie Moon mystery. The way it sounded was that Moon and Parris would be interacting to solve the crime. Most of the interaction seemed to be between Parris and Anne. Only twice did Moon show up in the whole book. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the read but I was expecting something different.

At first I wasn't sure how I felt about this book but by the end, I loved it. Mr. Doss wove people in this mystery like a fine tapestry.

I was a huge fan of Tony Hillerman and have now become a fan of Mr. Doss. What has intrigued me his use of the mediphysical of the Native American people. I've really come to love Charlie Moon's Aunt Daisy.

This is only the second of his books I've read and it won't be the last.

My first read of this author and series. Entertaining. A clean concise style with some droll humor. It will start me down a new path. We'll see how far I'll travel.