The Blessing Way | 
so-soThis is a pretty weird way to start a mystery book series. The good guy is a secondary character and he doesn‘t solve the case as much as he just turns up at the end to help the main character, an anthropologist. I think I‘ll read the next one (because it‘s easy and mindless), but I hope it‘s easier to follow and has more mystery to it. If I wanted to read non-fiction about the Southwest, there‘s plenty available without delving into this novel.
Apparently I didn't read much in June. 🤔 My favorites were the Hillerman books, I need to get the next one.
#WhereAreYouMonday
Today I was, both physically and figuratively, in the Navajo Nation (reservation) and at Four Corners Monument. 🧡
Pictured: the Shiprock monadnock
@Cupcake12
pickI struggled a bit with this one. I wasn't sure why things were happening and it was a bit distracting, also... The series is called Leaphorn and Chee but Leaphorn is only in about a quarter of the book, and Chee I don't think that character showed up at all I was very distracted by this 😂
Overall it was a quick read and I was glad for it overall reading it in New Mexico and recognized many of the spots in the novel.
Very appropriately reading Tony Hellerman in New Mexico.
Any guesses where my next adventure is taking me?
so-soWritten with what feels like the unbridled enthusiasm of a good-hearted Boy Scout, Hillerman is (& he would agree, according to his biographer) much more interested in depicting Navajo culture and the western landscape than in his murder-mystery plot, which is vaguely wrapped up with a sort of hand-waving explanation. But it‘s short! 🐺
Interesting with lots of local color and Navajo background. Surprised at how little Leaphorn appeared in the story.
pickI've had this mystery series, with its Native American protagonist, on my radar for a while. The Blessing Way was a decent start to the series & I will give the next book a try, but it was definitely a soft pick. First off, this book needed a map in the worst way. The characters are dashing around all over the place & their proximity to one another is critical to the story - but I have no idea where they are. I'm visual & I need maps!!! Second, ⬇️
When he found Yazzie he would learn that Yazzie had lost many sheep to this “witch” and that he had decided to abandon his #traditional grazing grounds and his hogan because a witch is, after all, more than a man can be expected to cope with. #QuotsyDec19 #tradition
pickRefreshing in its indigenous perspective, though dated where aspects of gender are concerned. Ends a little neatly for my taste, but is a great ride getting there.
Was stopped in my tracks by this stunning collection of Olive Editions. Picked up a couple of promising titles to get into the spirit of the season.
#fallisbooked #octobertbr
I think this is going to be a DNF. It‘s boring and not holding my attention at all.
“Far up the west rim of the canyon, a coyote yipped twice, and then poured out its #soul in a full-throated bay. The sound seemed to float down from the stars, the voice of some primeval hound drifting infinite sorrow across the sky.”
#QuotsyNov18
1. The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
3. The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman
4. Running with Scissors by Augustin Burroughs
@Tove_Reads @NataliePatalie
so-soWow, the first half of this book was boring. It was also a little messy and all over the place as far as narrative structure. There is one (one!) female character, and she is a stereotypical cipher. (At one point, McKee tells her something like, "Do as you're told and behave yourself!" And she cries pitifully. Um...)
However...
The second half of the book is really well written. I especially loved the villains. There was some great dialogue.
A couple of years ago I decided to re-read this series while on a vintage car road trip across the US. We broke down on the Navajo reservation not far from where his book takes place. As I sat on the side of the road waiting for the flatbed to come I was happy I was not #camping and hoping the flatbed would get there before dark. #sizzlinsummerbooks
