ISBN: 0-7887-2160-7 Order from: Recorded Books
A solidly satisfying mystery, with a mix of personal development and crime-solving, this procedural takes place in the American Southwest and the Navajo culture.
Reviewed by David on March 17, 2002
Genre: Mystery (Police Procedural, Amerind, Biology)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of The First Eagle.
Acting Lieutenant Jim Chee arrests a young Hopi literally red-handed over the body of a murdered policeman. This open-and-shut case is complicated by the fact that Janet Pete, Jim's former and perhaps future girlfriend is assigned to defend the young suspect.
Meanwhile, Jim's former mentor Joe Leaphorn, now retired from the Navajo Tribal Police, occasionally undertakes private investigations. His search for a missing woman biologist leads to the very place where the policeman was killed.
Joe Leaphorn doesn't trust in coincidince. As Leaphorn and Chee investigate the events, both singly and together, the mystery is complicated by the persistent rumors of witchcraft.
Full Review: Another typical Leaphorn/Chee novel, this mystery persents a murder investigation in a harsh and starkly beatiful land of the Navajo Reservation. With the details of the Navajo culture and beliefs, and additional elements of bacterial research, this solid mystery rolls to conslusion at a satisfying pace.
The personal development for both Chee and Leaphorn add interest without overwhelming the investigation. Despite the slightly distracting view-hopping between the two detectives, this is a solid, satisfying book.
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 6; Style: 6.5; World-building: 6; Originality: 5.5;
Copyright date 1998, Recorded Books, 1998, Audio cassette, 6 cassettes
ISBN: 0-7887-2160-7 Order from: Recorded Books