Tony Hillerman: Leaphorn, Chee, and More: The Fallen Man, The First Eagle, Hunting Badger

By Tony Hillerman

Book Overview

Now available for the first time in one volume are three of New York Times bestselling author Tony Hillerman's most popular novels: The Fallen Man, The First Eagle, and Hunting Badger. In these pages, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Sergeant Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police are investigating perplexing and mystifying crimes. Leaphorn, Chee, and More is a must for all mystery fans. The Fallen Man reunites newly retired Navajo Tribal Policeman Joe Leaphorn with Acting Lieutenant Jim Chee to finally close a case involving a sniper, a skeleton, and eleven years of unanswered questions. In this evocative mystery, the past and the present join forces in a most unholy union. In The First Eagle, Jim Chee catches a Hopi poacher huddled over a butchered Navajo Tribal Police officer. Chee seems to have an open-and-shut case -- until Joe Leaphorn blows it wide open. Hunting Badger balances politics, outsiders, and fugitive armed bandits. After the Ute tribe's gambling casino is raided, FBI agents swarm the maze of canyons on the Utah-Arizona border. But Chee and Leaphorn find fatal flaws in the federal theory that accuses a wounded deputy sheriff as a suspect, and they are soon caught in the most deadly hunt of their lives.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060820780
• ISBN13: 9780060820787
• Release Date: October 2005
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Length: 592 Pages
• Weight: 2.03 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.4" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

A good combination of fun reading.

The Fallen Man It looks like a climber's skeleton was found on a ledge at Ship Rock. Could this solve the mystery of a person missing for many years? Retired Joe Leaphorn is given a retainer to determine the circumstances. He enlists the help of Jim Chee. Chee has his plate full, trying to juggle his love life, being an acting LT., and dealing with an overzealous assistant. On top of that, he has to compete with a boring s-n-o-b of authority in tracking down cattle rustler(s). As usual, all the clues are laid out in the open, and if one works at it, they may be able to piece the puzzle together before Joe or Jim. It is fun watching how it is revealed to them. We also have plenty of what makes Hillerman famous, and that is descriptions of the Four Corners area and the Navajo way. I appreciate this as I have spent many a summer watching Ship Rock from Mesa Verde. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The First Eagle Because this is my first access to Tony Hillerman, I can tell you the worth of this story without having to compare it to earlier works. This was a recording performed by George Guidall. I was going for the story. That is why I bought the book. However, I understand that many people buy Hillerman for the ambiance. I found enough supporting information to make this story standalone without having to have a broad background from earlier books. I found the mystery well designed and the characters well-rounded. I have traveled to the locations mentioned in the book. However, I only recognize a few of the place names. Probably if I were more familiar with the people of that region, I would have noticed other things implied and described. I did, however, recognize the San Francisco Mountains and Shiprock. The big recognition shocker was the reference to the Navajo Taco. The last time I was at Mesa Verde, it was five dollars. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hunting Badger While retired Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are hunting down the people responsible for a casino robbery, we learn that they may be tied to a legend of a mysterious Indian (George Ironhand) who could fly. Tied in with this is the concept of "Hunting Badger." As with all of Tony Hillerman's stories, you have the feeling you are there. If you have visited or lived in the area (Four Corners canyons) that the mystery takes place in, you will be better able to identify with the people and landmarks. And as with his other books, there is an overt and covert story. I have read the book, but the addition of the voice of George Guidall adds a dimension to the story by helping visualize the people and correcting the pronunciation of certain words. I suggest you read the book and listen to the recorded version.