When spirits walk [Unknown Binding]

Christine Gentry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1988

Navajo deputy Sam Featherock is a rational man, but he cannot explain what he has seen. A wake of shattered bodies has left a bloody trail across the reservation within a week. The numbers of gruesome murders are accelerating at frightening speed. Is something supernatural involved or does someone want him to believe that to throw him off the trail? Tribal whispers say a Hopi witch is to blame¡ªa Skinwalker, who roams the night and causes havoc and death, but Featherock believes he stalks a more inhuman foe, an ancient spirit that has broken into our world to exact vengeance for past crimes. Native legend and myth have become frighteningly real. Everything Featherock knows and loves is in danger from a mysterious entity with the most evil of intentions. Nothing will stop Featherock from solving the mystery, but during the lonely dark of night, he learns there is only one truth. You can never sleep until you know what walks the land behind you.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christine Gentry has a psychology degree and has taught courses in freelance writing and police report writing for law enforcement officers. Her publications include magazine articles, five collectible guides, a conservation ecology textbook, and When Spirits Walk. She lives in Florida and is writing a new mystery book series. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Unknown Binding: 279 pages
• Publisher: Critics Choice (1988)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00071E0WQ
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Native American lore and legend..., April 25, 2004

By 

Ingrid Taylor "Author, Book Reviewer" (Springfield, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: When Spirits Walk (Paperback)

Old vendettas and native American superstitions abound in Navajo country.

Ms Gentry introduces us to a cast of characters, some honorable, but most greedy and evil, who are caught up in a spiraling series of bizarre murders. The murders, eleven in all, if I counted correctly, are so diabolical and gruesome that many in Lukachwhai believe the old powers of the Skin Walkers, the evil spirits who inflict supernatural punishment on the living, are at work again.

The complicated plot follows through to a sad but logical ending. If you enjoy native American lore and legend, then this book will surely please.

Ms Gentry is a meticulous storyteller with a lyrical and enjoyable style.

-Jonni Rich

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Original and interesting, August 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: When Spirits Walk (Paperback)

This book kept my interest. It was entertaining and impressive. I say impressive because I read a lot of books that start out with great momentum, then run out of steam or tack on a hasty ending. Not so with When Spirits Walk. There's is actual freaky, evil stuff that is obviously supernatural, but at the same time, there's another element of evil that is all too human. So there are two forces at work here. This book keeps you wondering if the two evil forces are working in cahoots or independently of each other? The human evil is easy relate to: the motive seems to be greed. Paired with this utterly supernatural threat, it's a great literary contrast...It's an entertaining read. Far better than a lot of stuff you can walk in and pick up anywhere. You have to order When Spirits Walk and wait for it in the mail. It's worth it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars WHEN SPIRITS WALK, January 2, 2003

By 

AllAboutMurder (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Spirits Walk (Paperback)

When Sam Featherock, a Navajo deputy is called into a case involving unexplainable happenings he is hard pushed
to solve the crimes. First an old alcoholic Navajo is found dead in his cabin, his hands are missing, along with his mule.
Everything at the crime scene is covered in corn pollen. The superstitious are quick to shout witch or skin walker but Sam
is a rational man who goes in search of a blood and bones killer.

Soon after another Indian is killed, this time even in an even more mysterious way and Sam must try his best to
make a connection before more people die. The Navajo are calling for the hunt of a witch, most pointedly a young Hopi
woman who has been called a witch in the past. Now while Sam is hunting the killer he must also try to keep this young
woman safe.

As the mystery builds so does the body count. At one point a whole family is wiped out and Sam begins to doubt
weather his beliefs are strong as he once believed.

The book was well written, with the exception of a couple of passages that truly puzzled me. It was interesting to
learn how the old Trading Posts worked and are still in effect in many places today. I was surprised to see that there is a
type of racism from one Indian tribe to another. The book comes to a quick and satisfying ending although there is some
sadness to deal with along the way. Review by Susan Johnson