Book Review: The Shape Shifter

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - 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, 2006, 276 pps.

Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito, his bride, have just returned from their honeymoon. Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn now retired from the Navajo Tribal Police relates the story of The Shape Shifter to Jim and Bernie.

It is the story of a cold case that Joe started digging into and finally got the entire story solved but part of the story he is not willing to share with Jim and Bernie. He does make a promise to share the ending at a later date.

Joe’s tale begins with a note from a friend and a picture of a rug that was thought to be destroyed in an arson fire.

I did enjoy the book as I have enjoyed all of Hillerman’s books but for me this story started out slow and I didn’t really get interested until I was close the end of the book. This is just a matter of opinion and other readers may find the book to move along quickly. Although I didn’t feel it deserved a very high rating I did enjoy reading the book.

Pat Reid - RAM

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