What do You think about The Fallen Man (1997)?
Joe Leaphorn is retired (which is ridiculous to even imagine - true retirement would kill him), but he shows up to talk to Acting Lieutenant Chee about an eleven-year-old missing person case and a recent skeleton found on a sacred mountain. Then an old Navajo guide from Canyon de Chelly is shot several times in a murder attempt and Leaphorn begins to put the two together because of the circumstances of the disappearance of the missing person. There are lots of other things going on an misdirections to make it all a fun read. Janet Pete may be history as the girl friend and Bernadette Manuelito appears to be a possible replacement. Much better fit to Chee. Looking forward to the next installment.
—Maggie
This is going to be more about related issues than the actual book.First of all, I sometimes have a tendency to avoid really popular or trendy books, books that might be sold in airports. At some point, after all the people raving about him, I told myself I needed to take a look at a Hillerman book, but it took me a long time to get around to it. By all accounts, Tony Hillerman was a great guy. He had connections to my university, as well as two places I've worked. He spoke at a writer's conference I attended, and I've always kept in mind his advice for not falling prey to writer's block (though, clearly, it worked a lot better for him than it has for me; but that's my problem).I'd watched and liked the PBS Mystery movies of Coyote Waits and Skinwalkers; so when I found this book on my mother's bookshelf, I figured I wouldn't be lost jumping in mid-series. And I was right--watching those TV movies gave me enough background information about the featured characters.It took me too long to finish only because I designated it 'waiting room reading' and kept setting it aside for various other reasons.So, about the book itself: I feel guilty about it, but I didn't love it. There were some good passages, sparingly-worded but really on-target descriptions of the environment, especially; and I enjoyed the mentions of New Mexico places and things. I enjoyed the tidbits about Navajo culture, some I was aware of and others I wasn't. But the dialogue and characterisation tended to be what you'd expect to get from strong, often silent types. Everything kept at arm's-length (or maybe even farther) in terms of emotion. I understand people who play it close to the vest, because I tend to be one; but I prefer more of a peek into characters' internal lives when I read a book.
—Callista
Tony Hillerman's 12 th book in series of Navajo mysteries, "The Fallen Man" again features Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee teaming up to solve a cold case. 11 years prior, inexperienced climber Harold Breedlove disappeared leaving his wife & brother in law to run his ranch. Amazingly one morning after 11 years a skeleton still dressed in climbing gear is found on rock ledge. The question of the exact date is of vital importance. Harold had to live to age 30 to receive his inheritance- Harold was 29, almost 30 when he vanished 11 years prior. Leaphorn now retired is working as a PI for the Breedlove family. Did Harold's wife, and brother do something funny to ensure they'd get inheritance ? Jim Chee now engaged to lawyer Janet Pete is having his own miseries. Chee must continually struggle with rookie officer Bernadette Manuelito. It's obvious to everyone but Chee that Bernadette has major crush on Jim. Another excellent read from Tony Hillerman that's enjoyable from first page to conclusion. Hellerman's colorful and unique characters continue to amaze with each passing page. It's really easy to root for Leaphorn and Chee even though they really don't get along too well. Another 5 stars out of 5 stars for "The Fallen Man", from Tony Hillerman. A true classic not to be missed.
—Jim
