::READERS REVIEWS::

Kindle version lacking - I had missed this title in my reading of Tony Hillerman's works. While different, I found it intriguing to follow Chee and Leaphorn to DC. However, the kindle version had so many typos and errors that I found myself distracted trying to read it. Read another version.

Different setting - Seeing Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn a bit out of their element in Washington DC made this book a bit off from Hillerman's usual fare. The city just didn't come alive the way the Navajo reservation does in other entries in the series.

The mystery was quite interesting. International intrigue, Navajo religion, and the back drop of the National Museum of Natural History make for a great read.

Twists, turns, suspense, miles ahead of most contemporary mysteries and one of Hillerman's best. - 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.

Native American mystery - Jim Chee - Joe Leaphorn - One of my favorites. The story evolves with Jim and Joe working apart and thenputting their knowledge and finds together for a solution!

A Thriller off the Big Rez - The dead man beside the train tracks near Gallup wore an elegant suit of clothes and narrow leather shoes more suitable to the city than the middle of the desert. The FBI agent called Joe Leaphorn in to search for tracks.

Jim Chee was just doing what he was told. He went out to the back of the Big Rez to the healing sing for old lady Tsosie to arrest a white man calling himself Henry Highhawk. The charge was grave-robbing, something no true Navajo could stand.

This book is not typical of Tony Hillerman's mysteries. For one thing, most of the action takes place in Washington, DC where both his Navajo cops are terribly out of place. For another, the plot runs along thriller lines. The denouement is spectacular, fun and set in the Smithsonian. Could there be a better or more baffling place to hide a body? Hillerman has created a memorable hitman and the "accidental" working out of justice is not to be missed.

Tony Hillerman died Oct 26, 2008 at the age of 83. This is not his best book, but it still beats many thrillers written today!

I give it a solid 3, it is not riveting - While I like the Navajo characters Chee and Leaphorn, I think the author needs to stretch a bit. His action is after the fact, most of the time, and too much takes place in conversation. While his dialog is commendable there is too much of that and too little immediate action. When I buy Hillerman's books I don't want to read about Washington DC, I don't. I want to read about Arizona and New Mexico and I think his work could be meatier in terms of landscape and culture. I know I am going against the tide but I am not prompted to purchase more of his work. I liked Thief of Time (3.5 stars)a bit more, however, but both books left me wanting more background, more culture, and far more vivid descriptions of the landscape than dry swirling snow (again, still, whatever) and/or dismal drizzles (again, still, whatever). I wanted vivid descriptions about those desert areas, I wanted to smell the desert dust, feel the blaring sun, visualize the land formations and know the quiet patience of the culture. I want to be able to see what I read. Hillerman is capable, Chee and Leaphorn manage to be ordinary guys you love, trust, believe who have more feelings than they ever express but so does the desert and the scenery out there. With Hillerman's niche so certainly linked to a particular land and culture, both of which are dramatic and beautiful, I felt the work was lacking, formula driven, yawnable. I think landscape should be as important as plot and character for these books. Three stars. A good read, yes, but not great.

Leaphorn and Chee together again, maybe. - 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.