Book Review: The Shape Shifter

Reviewed By: Shirley - RAM

The Shape Shifter     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Tony Hillerman
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Ethnic
Series: Joe Leaphorn & Jim Chee # 18
Harper Collins

Just married Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito are honeymooning in Hawaii when recently retired Joe Leaphorn is called to pick up some mail sent to him at his old office. It contains a photo of a legendary old Navaho rug which was thought burned in a fire some years ago. With little to do, Leaphorn decides to check out the story to see if it is really the same rug.

This draws Leaphorn into a series of puzzles about stolen pinyon sap, a burned body, betrayals by a very clever thief, and personality changes reminiscent of the Navaho tales of shape shifting.

Hillerman is still writing exciting morality tales with doses of Navaho lore to spice up the story . His portrayal of the Southwest landscape and its people is spot on, as always, and again he has written a story that will hold your interest from first page to last.

Shirley - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Shirley - RAM