Customer Reviews

When spirits walk

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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

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.

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