Julie Q. (Highlandjewel) reviewed The Sinister Pig (Leaphorn & Chee, Bk 16) on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Classic Tony Hillerman. Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn together again to solve a murder that the FBI is trying to cover up. Chee's relationship with Bernie Manuelito develops. Good story.
Helpful Score: 1
A good read but not the best Hillerman book. Features Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Sergeant Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police.
Sixteenth in the Leaphorn/Chee series. Chee is called to the scene of a dead man found shot in a ditch near a gas field. But the FBI take the case, and soon it looks like some sort of cover-up is going on. Meanwhile, Bernadette Manuelito is now with the Border Patrol and runs into some suspicious activity at a ranch, but her boss tries to deflect her.
This is a departure from Hillerman's usual format, as we get the POV from a few of the bad guys, so we know up front who's the villain and what they're doing. The drug-running (this is not a spoiler) and the involvement of the drug cartel is also a crime on a larger stage than Hillerman usually plots. Hillerman also has quite a lot in there about the billions of dollars of oil and gas revenues that were supposed to go to the reservations but are mysteriously missing, but it wasn't really germane to the drug plot.
I also thought the beginning was a little awkward, with the briefing of the soon-to-be-murdered investigator - it's one of those "As you know, Bob" kind of lectures. And I was disappointed that Bernie turns into a stereotypical weeping female at the end. I liked Chee still going his own way and investigating what he thinks needs doing, convincing Cowboy Dashee to go along with him. I also liked that Hillerman is showing that Leaphorn's involvement with the job is getting more remote after his retirement, as you'd expect...he still gets calls, but he has fewer sources. A good book in the series, but not as evocative as the best.
This is a departure from Hillerman's usual format, as we get the POV from a few of the bad guys, so we know up front who's the villain and what they're doing. The drug-running (this is not a spoiler) and the involvement of the drug cartel is also a crime on a larger stage than Hillerman usually plots. Hillerman also has quite a lot in there about the billions of dollars of oil and gas revenues that were supposed to go to the reservations but are mysteriously missing, but it wasn't really germane to the drug plot.
I also thought the beginning was a little awkward, with the briefing of the soon-to-be-murdered investigator - it's one of those "As you know, Bob" kind of lectures. And I was disappointed that Bernie turns into a stereotypical weeping female at the end. I liked Chee still going his own way and investigating what he thinks needs doing, convincing Cowboy Dashee to go along with him. I also liked that Hillerman is showing that Leaphorn's involvement with the job is getting more remote after his retirement, as you'd expect...he still gets calls, but he has fewer sources. A good book in the series, but not as evocative as the best.
Jean K. (peacelovebooks) reviewed The Sinister Pig (Leaphorn & Chee, Bk 16) on + 7 more book reviews
hard to put down
Tony Hillerman usual good read. Interesting drug smuggling technique!
Very good Book I reccomend reading it
This is another entertaining tale of murder, intrigue, high-level corruption, romance, and fantastic Navajo culture and southwestern scenery delivered by the deft Tony Hillerman.
This is a 2004 mystery from Tony Hillerman. Jim Chee and Lt. Leaphorn, another "good" one steeped in Navajo land.
I've read most of Hillerman's mysteries...and will buy each new one as soon as I can get my hands on it.
This was a most enjoyable book. Combines conspiracy, greed, lies, murder. Satisfying romance, with Navajo culture and highly suspenseful entertaining read.
Every time I read one of hillerman's books it makes me think about moving to New Mexico.
Not my favorite Hillerman, but still a darn good read.
The FBI wants to take over a murder case that happened on the reservation. Hillerman's always good.
Clayton F. (OldGeezer) -
If you are tired of mysteries and suspoense in the cities, try this author.... you will love the scenery
another great book with chee and leaphorn. any fan of hillerman will enjoy.
I love all the Tony Hillerman books... fascinating insights into Native American culture, great scenic descriptions, characters you care about, interesting and captivating plots.
Hillerman writes in such a way that you feel part of the story. Always good books from him.
good book by another great writer.
Karen M. (Bookworm62) -
Typically Hillerman.
If you are a Tony Hillerman fan you'll be delighted to again read about Leaphorn and Chee in action. If you haven't read Hillerman, please do!
Frances J. (francesjones) reviewed The Sinister Pig (Leaphorn & Chee, Bk 16) on + 66 more book reviews
A nameless murder victim, dispute over who should investigate the crime, a U S Senator, shadow companies, the smell of fraud. Bernadette Manuelito sumbles on a remote ranch and makes the mistake of taking a few snapshots.
San Diego Union-Tribune "Hillerman blends a clever puzzle, a satisfying romance and the exotic Navajo culture into a highly suspenseful and thoroughly entertaining whole."
Decent Hillerman. Better than his last few.
Lorraine T. (mysterylover) reviewed The Sinister Pig (Leaphorn & Chee, Bk 16) on + 318 more book reviews
Sgt. Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police and the Legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn seek to identify a nameless corpse found on the reservation. I've read and loved all of Hillerman's msyteries and this is no exception.
This book was given to me and I never read.
Not one of his better Leaphorn/Chee books, but still a quick, enjoyable read.
Another one of Hillerman's wonderful mysteries. This one has a lot of twists and turns - until the mystery is solved. I enjoyed it very much!
Herbert M. (vunderbar) reviewed The Sinister Pig (Leaphorn & Chee, Bk 16) on + 209 more book reviews
Jim Chee discovers a corpse that seems to tie in with oil and gas being stolen from reservation lands, but the case takes a very dangerous twist when Bernadette Manuelito is endangered.
One of the latest mysteries with Navajo detectives Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn
This book really develops the landscape and history of the area. Tony Hillerman fans will enjoy this one.
Slow to start, IMHO, but really picked up speed. The main character is Bernie Manuelito, now of Border Patrol. She and Jim Chee, now 200 miles apart, are both conflicted about their feelings for each other. But the drama centers around drug traffic and some really highly-placed individuals who are driving the traffic.
i love the hillerman jim chee/joe leaphorn series, but honestly, i think he's starting to lose steam. still a fun read.
great author-great book
FANTASTIC! This is the best of Hillerman's that both myself and my husband have read. Very ingenious plot!
Page turner.
A great read from Hillerman; a clever mystery with romance and the Navajo culture. You'll like this one!
THE SINISTER PIG by Tony Hillerman combines all of that you have come to expect from a classic Hillerman mystery. It has it all: murder, intrigue, ominous messages from "The Man," political maneuvering and corruption. And, as usual, it's all set against the sweeping panoramas of the American Southwest.
Chee and Leaphorn are at their very best when a body turns up in their jurisdiction. The pair untangle the deftly woven webs of deceit placed carefully to ensnare the curious while covering up one of the slickest crimes the two have ever encountered. A slick read!
Chee and Leaphorn are at their very best when a body turns up in their jurisdiction. The pair untangle the deftly woven webs of deceit placed carefully to ensnare the curious while covering up one of the slickest crimes the two have ever encountered. A slick read!
Lynda C. (Readnmachine) reviewed The Sinister Pig (Leaphorn & Chee, Bk 16) on + 1474 more book reviews
The transition from Leaphorn and Chee to Chee and Manuelito continues in this late entry to the series as Chee and Manuelito find themselves involved in a high-level plot to move cocaine into the country via a series of disused pipelines. As usual, multiple people and plotlines are involved. Leaphorn's participation in this one is basically done long-distance.
"hillerman blends a clever puzzle, a satifying romance, and the exotic Navajo culture into a highly suspenseful and thoroughly entertaining whole" San Diego Union-Tribune. Another great tale of Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police.
A mystery featuring Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police. A mix of romance, mystery and Navajo culture.
This is the first T. Hillerman I've read. I thought it was pretty decent,but I've enjoyed some other mystery/suspense novels more.
Enjoyed this story
During the investigation of misappropriation of the Indian Tribal Royalty Trust an undercover agent is murdered in tribal lands. Someone has been syphoning off royalties from Indian lands. Readers learn of a powerful and corrupt member of congress who will do anything to fulfill his greed. While retired Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee work for a solution to the murder and mystery Bernie Manuelito turns up on the New Mexico border with Mexican border working as a customs agent with the Border Patrol.
Bernie trails a suspicious vehicle to a locked gate. Owners of the property strictly enforce a no trespassing policy even though Bernie attempts to use her authority to pursue suspects. Through dogged determination she manages to get into the property where she takes some photos as evidence and others simply for personal interests, shooting exotic animals.
Her photos draw the interest of people on the property and work their way into the hands of some powerful criminals. The photos eventually place Bernie in the crosshairs of the corrupt politician and those who work for him.
The Sinister Pig presents a complex mystery that relies heavily on the skill of retired Navajo Tribal Police Lt. Joe Leaporn to connect the dots. It's a classic Tony Hillerman mystery, well worth reading.
Bernie trails a suspicious vehicle to a locked gate. Owners of the property strictly enforce a no trespassing policy even though Bernie attempts to use her authority to pursue suspects. Through dogged determination she manages to get into the property where she takes some photos as evidence and others simply for personal interests, shooting exotic animals.
Her photos draw the interest of people on the property and work their way into the hands of some powerful criminals. The photos eventually place Bernie in the crosshairs of the corrupt politician and those who work for him.
The Sinister Pig presents a complex mystery that relies heavily on the skill of retired Navajo Tribal Police Lt. Joe Leaporn to connect the dots. It's a classic Tony Hillerman mystery, well worth reading.
A Jim Chee mystery.
