Talking God audiobook

Read as an audio book. It's been a few years since I've read (as audio) the first four in the series. I was quietly hoping someone would obtain the contract and produce the middle ones, but it never seemed to transpire. Maybe someday. And because it's been a few years, and I skipped a handful of books, the story line has moved forward a bit. That being said, it was easy enough to pick up the characters and plot and I didn't feel anything was lost in the story.I really enjoy these mysteries. These are not "action" or "thriller" mysteries, but contemplative who-did-it books. I find the pacing about perfect - the plot just rolls out much like a newly paved road and because the ride (story) is so enjoyable, you're just pulled along. The little twists and turns keep the story line engaging, the characters have a surprising amount of depth without getting bogged down in details, and the mystery in this instance was a matter of watching Leaphorn and Chee figure it out because the reader knows all along. If you enjoyed previous books in this series, you'll probably enjoy this one. I will note, there was a change in narrators, and I enjoyed both. Recommended.

Joe Leaphorn is called out to look at corpse found near railroad. The question who he is and how it place aroused he curiosity. The answer takes him to Washington, DC. Jim Chee has an arrest warrant Henry Nighthawk. He learns that Nighthawk will be at an Yeibichai (Talking God). Jim arrest Henry who is immediately bailed out. Jim Chee has vacation coming and goes the nation capitol. He meets Joe Leaphorn there and cases are brought together skillfully. The ending is unusual. The data on the Navajo culture is informative.

One of the marks of great writing is being able to create a villain who doesn't see him/herself as a villain. And in Leroy Fleck, Hillerman has done that. Fleck loves his mother and will do anything for her, living by the code that she instilled in him. Which might be commendable, except it's a code mired in racism, paranoia, and illegal activity. What takes Fleck to an even further level as a character is the last scene between him and his mama. (view spoiler)[ She's suffered a stroke and has the beginnings of dementia. Here is a bad man who will do anything for his mama, including threatening the director of home, and all she doesn't really recognize him. She talks about is how Delmar, Leroy's brother is her good son (even though in reality that Delmar hasn't been in touch or helped with medical bills in years). How her son, Leroy, is a good for nothing because he "turned fairy" in prison (he was raped and then killed his rapists). And then when he doesn't let "the man" win but quickly and quietly kills him in front of her, she looks at him in fear. (hide spoiler)] It's a moment in which Fleck might realize everything he's believed has been a lie, but rather than face that, he goes another way, doubling down on his own understanding of an honor code. He's a completely distasteful character and Hillerman doesn't flinch from making him so - yet in a way where Fleck believes he's in his rights to do what he does.

Another entertaining procedural by Tony Hillerman. In Talking God, the author weaves a story in which political terrorism, a quest for personal revenge, and a battle against institutional racism converge in an explosive climax. And of course, the book features Hillerman's signature exploration of traditional Navajo spiritualism.

Hillerman's books are getting better. Sometimes he loses me in the story, but I think a lot of that is because I am listening to them on audiobooks. The narrator changes from book to book. Hillerman even reads a few of them himself.

I wouldn't ague against a 3 star rating; my 4 stars is because I just enjoyed it.Hillerman writes with a subtle non-pretentious intelligent style. I recommend this especially to those who condescendingly place the pre-Columbian peoples of North America in a culture of special protection (and exploitation).

We have both Joe Leaphorn, now retired, and Jim Chee in this book which takes them away to Washington, DC. Naturally, there is a murder, and a fair amount about Navaho fetishes of gods--rather fascinating. One bad guy makes a representation of Talking God. He is a white man who wants to become a Navaho--gets killed. Both women in Chee's life show up

Somehow Leaphorn and Chee both wind up in Washington DC trying to solve a mysterious murder. If you can imagine to indians taking on DC, then you can believe anything. And they manage to do this on their vacation time, since no one seems much interested in solving it. Anyway this was a fun read. Maybe the indians ought to take on more issues with DC. We might be better off.

I had not read Talking God, Tony Hillerman’s ninth murder mystery involving the Navajo Tribal Police, previously. It was engaging and satisfying for all the reasons I’ve noted about the previous eight: Hillerman’s writing style, character development, cultural insights, etc.I also enjoyed this story because it deftly shared the investigations of Lieutenant Leaphorn and Officer Chee as they independently approached aspects of the same crime. Two different paths to the same brush pile, as Leaphorn described it.Finally, I enjoyed the poke at anthropologists and museums that have no qualms about searching for graves of indigenous humans to take skeletons for study (or hoarding in storerooms), but disturbing more recent graves of non-indigenous people requires court orders or is prohibited outright. Surely, it’s not about race… or delusional ethnic superiority… just sayin’. Hillerman explores and shatters that hypocrisy in this story, adding to my enjoyment of it.

A nice little read with good characters but most of the story took place in Washington D.C. rather than the wonderful tribal lands of the Southwest, which are settings that have a character of their own. Missed them. Still worth the time.

It's been awhile since I have read anything by Tony Hillermaan, so it took me awhile to become familiar with his main characters. If you want to know anything about Native American tradition and culture, I highly recommend this series.

8/10Leaphorn and Chee are “fish out of water” in Washington, DC with an intriguing mystery that each gets involved in by different paths. Excellent, fast read.

Another great Hillerman mystery. I really enjoyed it.