The Shape Shifter by Tony Hillerman (2006, Hardcover)

I've been a Tony Hillerman fan for quite a few years now, ever since moving to northern Arizona some 10 years ago. The first books, focusing on Joe Leaphorn were complex stories and good story telling. Didn't particularly like Jim Chee at first, but his interactions with Leaphorn were good. Hillerman developed his personality as the series went along, just as would happen in real life. The last few books of the series have been weak though. The stories not as complex, the editing showing some real obvious mistakes. Then again, its got to be tough to have to produce a book a year. This story is back to the old Joe Leaphorn, having to put everything into balance. Its got its twists and turns. Oh, you'll probably figure out "who done it" pretty early in the game, and there are some editing mistakes which do affect the flow of the story a bit (not Hillerman's fault), but overall, if you are a fan of the series, you will be glad to read this one.

Tony Hillerman continued his Leaphorn/Chee saga in this pleasurable read.
Joe Leaphorn is battling the "no longer needed" feeling of retirement and Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito are now married. Ah, but in the middle of his retirement melancholy, Leaphorn is given a puzzle to solve. A priceless Navajo rug - long thought destroyed - turns up on the pages of a luxury living magazine.
The story behind the rug is Hillerman at his best. It seems the rug is an afront to the Navajo concept of hozha (peace and harmony) since it tells the story of the Long March where multitudes of Navajo died. An old collegue of Leaphorn's sends a copy of the article to Leaphorn and then promptly disappears. Thus the hunt for both his old friend and the answer of the rug begin. Story pulls in the FBI, the CIA, the Hmong, plus many tales of the downfall of man - greed and power. This is a must read for anyone who enjoys the books of Tony Hillerman and the continuing saga of Joe Leaphorn and now Mr. and Mrs. Jim Chee.

My husband and I enjoy reading anything by Tony Hillerman. We have read all of his other books. I have not red this book yet and am looking forward to reading it after my husband finishes it.

I do likt the large pring

God Bless




CraftyFerrets and Vickey

I bought this book because I have all the previous fiction books that Hillerman has written. This book was his last one published. Hillerman was true to form in this book, starting out calm as retired Navajo police Lieutenant, Joe Leaphorn, goes to visit his former protegee, Jim Chee, about an old case that was never truly solved and had recently come back to light via an old partner. The story about an old trading post fire and an old Navajo "Tale-Teller" rug that was supposed to have been destroyed by the fire, weaves through the little side stories, embellished by the rich descriptions of the southwest terrain and the cultural history of the Navajo people, on its way to discover what really happened to the rug. Hillerman is a great read, telling about the customs of the southwest native people and the interplay and clashes, of those cultures, with the European cultur. And the end is always a surprise after Hillerman brings all the twists and turns together. Hillerman's descriptions of the terrain and natural geography of the area are splendid and bring back memories of my growing up years there. Hillerman's twists and turns keep the reader from setting the book down too often. If you are a collector and fan of Tony Hillerman, you will love to own this last book of his. If you are just discovering Tony Hillerman, each of his books stand by themselves in explaining the customs of the people, and are well worth reading if you want to know about the southwest cultures and customs.

If you love Hillerman this is not as good as some, but is still Hillerman - with Joe Leaphorn off on another adventure in the 4 corners region. This book in many ways ties up a lot of loose ends as to Chee's final outcome with Bernadette Manuelito, how things work out with Louisa Bourbonette and how his retirement is going. Not as much loving treatment of Navajos as in past works as the characters are a mad belagana somewhat like the man in People of Darkness, his Vietnamese houseboy and another Indian whose tribe is not worked out too well. Interesting treatment Grandma Peshlakai and her buckets of Pinon sap. It was hard for me to figure out exactly where this happened on the rez. The ending was way out there and very hard to believe Leaphorn would have been there.

I've been reading Hillerman for over thirty years and find redeeming aspects to all his work. This may be his last hurrah but I would read it again as I have all the others.

The book: Shape Shifters came in quickly and in excellent condition as stated in the Ebay offering. Very pleased
Thank you

The book was in excellent condition. In enjoy Mr. Hillerman's books is why I decided to purchase this item. The book was packaged nicely and arrived in a timely manner. I would purchase other books from this seller. An asset to eBay. There were no problems with any part of the transaction.

Hillerman's books are easy to read and keep your attention throughout the entire story. Lt. Longhorn and Sgt. Chee as the main characters, Tony seems to put you in the passenger seat as the mistery unwinds.