The Tale Teller audiobook

The Tale TellerThat daughter Anne has taken up the quest to continue and expand upon Tony Hillerman’s Navajo world is a treat for all of us. I was devastated when I heard he’d passed, as Joe Leaphorn and Lt. Chee are in my hero box along with Perry Mason, Insp. Gamache, Bosch, Maigret, Poirot and Philip Marlowe. I enjoyed this tale, and Leaphorn back in action (kinda) after his last almost end adventure. I also enjoy the weave of the Navajo and indigenous peoples’ cultural and linguistic threads that are generously included in both Hillermans’ books without an abundance of punitive slaps that could (and often are, in other tomes) be awarded a reader who might not share that same DNA. The author is resists easy marks, yet is honest and educates the ignorant without shaming. I especially appreciate the spiritual and belief system explanations that come alive in the telling of their stories. Relationships are built and bridge believably across the books, and so are very satisfying. 4 stars for me!

The Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee mystery novels are iconic in the annals of the native Southwest. Tony Hillerman was a non-Native American author who took pains to create legitimate stories of life on and off the reservations.Anne Hillerman is a careful successor to her father, Tony, who died circa 2008. Stories about Native American culture, primarily Navajo, but including Hopi, Zuni, and others at times gave me an appreciation that history books could not.Time has seen Anne Hillerman’s writing improve and her plot thoroughly integrates the "beauty" of the Navajo way of life. There are several crimes that involve Leaphorn and Chee and also Chee’s wife, another member of the Tribal Police. The exchange of information is key to solving all the mysteries. But, much of the pleasure comes from the human side of struggles and cultural beliefs. 3.5*

Ms. Hillerman continues to improve her writing skills and in the understanding of the main characters. If she keeps this up she will be almost as good as her father. I say almost, because in my opinion, no one can equal Tony Hillerman. I am glad Anne is making the effort because I really enjoy these characters. Recommended to all Leaphorn fans.

The fifth book we find that Joe Leaphorn has been hired to find the donor of an anonymous gift to the Navajo Nation. Unfortunately, the most costly item, bill, a dress worn on the long walk of 1864 is not in the box. One of the employees of the museum dies a strange death. Jim Chee is working on a string of burglaries in Chinle and Bernie Manuelito finds a dead body on a popular running trail. This event brings the FBI into the area causing problems. The separate themes are brought together nicely to form the story. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND SERIESDisclosure: Many thanks to Edelweiss and Harper/Collins for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.

Such a pleasure to be back in Navajo Country, back with Navajo detectives Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito. I love the descriptions of the landscapes and the history. Two mysteries to solve in this book: retired detective Leaphorn's private case of the missing woven dress that may have belonged to Juanita, wife of the "Long Walk" chief & Navajo hero Manuelito and then a string of robberies and a murder for the Navajo police. The mystery puzzles aren't the strongest parts of the book -- it is the characters and their long interactions with each other (we are on book #23, after all). Leaphorn is gradually recovering from the brain injury of several books ago; speech is no problem for him so long as he is speaking in Navajo but he struggles with English now. And how painful that is for proud man! The character of his professor friend, Louise, gets more time in this book and I enjoyed that, too. So glad that Anne Hillerman picked up this series from her father, Tony Hillerman, and her centering it around the female detective, Bernie, works very well to give it her own voice.

Anne Hillerman continues her father's series focusing on the history and crime within the Navajo Reservation. As usual the story involves the characters of Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuletio. The book details some additional history of the Navaho nation which is involved in the solving

I grew up with Tony Hillerman and loved his books. I didn't think anyone could write about the Navajos. But I was wrong. Daughter Anne has picked up where the great Tony left off. This riveting story will not only keep you on the edge of your seat but also deepen your understanding of the Navajo people.

I'm delighted with this latest offering from the Four Corners. Anne has written her best book yet in this continuation of her father's series. The crimes include a death of a museum employee, shortly after a box of donated goods is found to be short of a tribal artefact that would be greatly missed. Also, a man is found dead near a jogging trail. Some elders have had items stolen from their homes. And a young woman has a boyfriend of the wrong sort. All these need to be resolved by the Navajo Tribal Police, except the dead man which attracts the attention of the FBI. Joe Leaphorn is suffering from slight brain damage due to a shooting incident; I like that he can communicate better by typing into a tablet than speaking English, but his memory of his native language is fine, although we see few young Navajo speak it much. This aspect is sensitively handled. Joe is still seen as a great resource. I downloaded an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.

I thought this was her best book to date. Much better than the last book. Glad to see Joe Leaphorn back in business!

As a long time fan of Tony Hillerman, I've been pretty skeptical of the Anne Hillerman novels but thought I would give them a try. There was a lot to like here, I don't think this book as quite the same atmosphere and flavor of the old books but I did enjoy most of it. I skipped the previous Anne books, because this one was the highest rated available at my local library, so some of the character developments, particularly Leaphorn, was a bit jarring at first but I got used to the changes. My biggest issue was the ending. Without providing spoilers, I didn't think any of the three stories wrapped up well nor did it have the usual suspenseful climax I've come to expect from these stories. This was pretty good but idk if I'm going to go back for another Anne Hillerman novel.

I have been a fan of Tony Hillerman's writing for a very long time. I love his series of books which are about the Navajo Tribal Police. They give you a feel for what life on the Reservation is like out west and a feel for the people who live there. The Tale Teller by Anne Hillerman is a seamless continuation of this series. HIllerman's vivid depiction of Officer, now Sargent Jim Chee, Lt, Joe Leaphorn, and Captain Largo continue to solve crimes, help their neighbors and friends and and the addition of some newer character like Jim's ex partner now wife Officer Bernie Manuelito and Bigman's new baby. If you have read any Tony Hillerman books this one is a must read. Great job by Anne Hillerman keeping the flame.