Anne Hillerman

First of all, this is not a Leaphorn and Chee Novel. It is a Manuelito Novel—Bernadette Manuelito being the wife of Jim Chee. Leaphorn is quickly put into a coma and Chee is presented as kind of a tiresome, bungling husband, while Manuelito solves the crime. I had not read Thief of Time, so the mystery lacked coherence. I read Tony Hilerman's second novel, Dance Hall of the Dead, and picked up Spider Woman's Daughter to see how Anne did taking over for her father. Not so well, as far as I can tell. While there is the obligatory Southwest scenery and Native American culture, the emasculation of the main characters and a weak mystery, leave much to be desired, making this book a dead end for the series.… (meer)

I don't really write reviews but I really wanted to comment on this novel....

I began reading Tony Hillerman's Navajo mysteries more than 30 years ago, shortly before I moved to New Mexico. His descriptions of of the wonderful landscapes and of the traditions of the Diné were one of three things that motivated me to move to the Southwest from the Kansas City area (the others being an ill-fated university "field trip" of sorts that took in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, and -- best of all -- a day at Chaco Canyon; as well as listening to the wonderful music of Robert Mirabal. After I had been living in 'Burque for a time, I had already talked to Tony Hillerman at several book signings when he, quite ironically, introduced me to Mirabal (and to Clive Cussler but that is another story for another time).

I was happy to hear that Anne had taken up the heavy burden of continuing the series of novels after her father passed away. By then, I had moved all the way to Thailand and the books were not easy to obtain (shipping being a prohibitive factor). I did manage to read ebooks of her first two and thought they were pretty good. After that, I lost track as my busy life took over. It wasn't until a couple of weeks ago that that I discovered that Stargazer was being published.

I found an ebook easily this time around and it took me about three days to finish. I had tears in my eyes for much of the final two or three chapters. Not only from the storyline but just little sprinkles of items about the wonderful region this story takes place in as well as actions by characters that I have known for 30 plus years. I never visited one of the settings of this novel while I lived there despite it being about a two-hour drive from my home. Now, I see how wrong I was by not going when I had the chance and would really like to rectify that when I can. I am also craving a Blake's green chili cheeseburger (or, bettrr yet, one from Owl's Café).

Anne has truly done her dad proud and Stargazer may just be the best in her portion of the series at least. Now, I need to track down the two that I haven't read but I am certain I will enjoy those also.

Well done, Anne Hillerman.

ahéhee’… (meer)