Kibi W. (Kibi) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 582 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Entertaining But Utterly Implausible, December 13, 2004
Reviewer: Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA)
First published in 1978, LISTENING WOMAN continues Tony Hillerman's "Joe Leaphorn" novels, a series set on Southwestern Native American lands and featuring Lt. Leaphorn, who investigates crimes on the reservation. In this instance, an almost-deadly encounter with a killer during a traffic stop leads Leaphorn to the scarcely populated and remote Short Mountain district.
As always, Hillerman's portrait of the Navajo people remaining on the reservation is filled with the fascination of folklore and legend; his plots, however, remain a sore point. LISTENING WOMAN begins extremely well--but before all is said we had everything from highjacked helicopters to kidnapped Boy Scouts in a credibility-straining combination, not to mention a blood and thunder conclusion that seems more akin to The Lone Ranger than any remotely plausible reservation crime.
As for mystery, as is often the case in Hillerman's work the label is misapplied: there is none at all, and LISTENING WOMAN would be better described as crime fiction or perhaps better still as action-adventure. For all the flaws, however, it is an entertaining and quick read that fans of the series will likely enjoy.
Reviewer: Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA)
First published in 1978, LISTENING WOMAN continues Tony Hillerman's "Joe Leaphorn" novels, a series set on Southwestern Native American lands and featuring Lt. Leaphorn, who investigates crimes on the reservation. In this instance, an almost-deadly encounter with a killer during a traffic stop leads Leaphorn to the scarcely populated and remote Short Mountain district.
As always, Hillerman's portrait of the Navajo people remaining on the reservation is filled with the fascination of folklore and legend; his plots, however, remain a sore point. LISTENING WOMAN begins extremely well--but before all is said we had everything from highjacked helicopters to kidnapped Boy Scouts in a credibility-straining combination, not to mention a blood and thunder conclusion that seems more akin to The Lone Ranger than any remotely plausible reservation crime.
As for mystery, as is often the case in Hillerman's work the label is misapplied: there is none at all, and LISTENING WOMAN would be better described as crime fiction or perhaps better still as action-adventure. For all the flaws, however, it is an entertaining and quick read that fans of the series will likely enjoy.
Number four of the Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee series of books centering on murder on the Navaho reservation. Only Leaphorn is featured in this book about the deaths of an old man and young girl. From the backcover: Leaphorn's investigation carries him from a dead man's secret to a kidnap scheme, to a conspiracy that stretches back more than one hundred year.
Pamela P. (5thsister) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 23 more book reviews
I simply love Tony Hillerman! The characters come alive and you feel like the Southwest is home turf.
In this book, Leaphorn is on his own, battling evil an the story is riviting.
In this book, Leaphorn is on his own, battling evil an the story is riviting.
***** Great read and keeps you on your toes with the mysteries.
Harriet H. (southern2005) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 31 more book reviews
I have read just about all of Tony Hillerman's books! I got hooded on his writing about Joe Leaphorn and 4 corners area of NM.
If you like stories of the Indian culture this is a must read "Listening Woman" love the suspense and surprise at the end of each of his books.
If you like stories of the Indian culture this is a must read "Listening Woman" love the suspense and surprise at the end of each of his books.
Colleen H. (Dove) -
I enjoy Hillerman's books and this one was no exception.
Judy D. (bactitech) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 29 more book reviews
This was definitely one of Hillerman's better stories and has a nail biter ending. Highly recommended.
Jeri W. (Mimi73) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 18 more book reviews
Hillerman is a wonderful author and his Indian stories are superb. This one was particularly good.A good thriller-myste
Tony Hillerman spins excellent mystery stories set in the the American Southwest. A blind shaman called Listening Woman talks of witches and restless spirits but Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn of the Nvajo Tribal Police is sure the murederer of an old man and a teenage girl was human.
Lori H. (TigerGirl) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 30 more book reviews
classic hillerman mystery
I really enjoy Tony Hillerman's writings. It could be slightly predictable at times, but the style and story are done well enough to carry it. This was the first I read of his, and it made me continue to seek out his books. I enjoyed this story considerably and recommend it too.
Another Joe Leaphorn msytery with lots of information about life in the Southwest and Navajo culture. Hillerman is consistently a pleasure to read!
Teri A H. (Nani) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 67 more book reviews
Intensive reading, great story, lots of interesting details of the various tribal beliefs.
Mary H. (vaborn) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 29 more book reviews
You can't beat Tony Hillerman for telling American Indian (Navajo) stories.
Barbara B. (redhatter) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 577 more book reviews
Hillerman is supurb!
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 1221 more book reviews
I have been watching and enjoying the TV series Dark Winds on AMC. When I found out that the first season of the series is based on Hillerman's LISTENING WOMAN, I ordered the book from a trading site online and I have really enjoyed reading it. This is the third novel in the Leaphorn & Chee series, however, Chee does not appear in this one. The story involves some cold cases that Leaphorn has been assigned to look into. One is the murder of an old man and a teenage girl who were being seen by a blind Navaho "listening woman" who talks about ghosts and witches. Then there is a robbery of an armored truck in Santa Fe with the loot being transported by helicopter deep into the vast Navaho reservation in Northern Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern Utah. The helicopter disappeared possibly within the reservation. So is this tied to the murder of the old man and the teenage girl? The old man's grandson arrives on the reservation after he received a letter from his grandfather but the timeframe does not seem to make it possible that the letter actually came from him. The grandson is a priest but could he also be involved in the armored truck heist? The FBI has tied the heist to a militant Indian group called the Buffalo Society. So what else are they planning?
This is actually the first Leaphorn novel that I have read although I have owned a few others that I got rid of before one of my moves. I did really enjoy this. I especially liked the descriptions of the Navaho life and the landscapes of the sandstone and canyons of the reservation. I grew up in Utah and have visited Southern Utah and Arizona and the vistas are very breathtaking.
The novel does have some of the same plot points as the Dark Winds TV series but the series did change and modify a lot of the story. There is still one episode left in the season which I am looking forward to watching and I hear it has been renewed for a second season. I will be watching it and I will definitely be reading more of the Leaphorn and Chee novels!
This is actually the first Leaphorn novel that I have read although I have owned a few others that I got rid of before one of my moves. I did really enjoy this. I especially liked the descriptions of the Navaho life and the landscapes of the sandstone and canyons of the reservation. I grew up in Utah and have visited Southern Utah and Arizona and the vistas are very breathtaking.
The novel does have some of the same plot points as the Dark Winds TV series but the series did change and modify a lot of the story. There is still one episode left in the season which I am looking forward to watching and I hear it has been renewed for a second season. I will be watching it and I will definitely be reading more of the Leaphorn and Chee novels!
Vikki P. (vikki322) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 145 more book reviews
The state police and FBI are baffled when an old man and a teenaged girl are brutally murdered. The blind Navajo Listening Woman speaks of ghosts and witches. But Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn knows his people and begins an investigation that leads to the most violent confrontation of his career.
Maggy S. (Maggy) reviewed Listening Woman (Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, Bk 3) on + 61 more book reviews
Very descriptive and enjoyable. I was right there with detective Leaphorn and had a hard time putting it down.
Hillerman is a master of the craft, who captures the beauty, desolation, loneliness, and magnificence of the desert Southwest, while weaving excellent mysteries wrapped around the culture and beliefs of the Navajo and neighboring peoples. He does not tread heavily over the subject of the clash of their cultures with white culture, but presents it with care and consideration. The result is a great yarn, a lovely tour of the Southwest, and an education about these First Nations. I've read all his novels, as well as his autobiography, and am now, after many years rereading them.
