Talking God

by Tony Hillerman

Book Overview

Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee are reunited in this spellbinding, intricately woven novel about a conflict over valuable ancient ceremonial masks. Once again, a master storyteller weaves a spellbinding tale, evoking the striking beauty of the Southwest and the Navajo people.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060161183
• ISBN13: 9780060161187
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Beautifully structured, compelling mystery

A Jim Chee, Joe Leaphorn mystery and one which shows the character and process of both men in the crime solving. Joe Leaphorn is investigating the death of a man found beside a railroad on the reservation, written in a notebook is a name, Agnes Tssose and a ceremonial. In a separate act Jim Chee is sent to Agnes Tsosse's Night Way ceremonial to find the man, Henry Highhawk who is visiting her, he has no idea why he has to arrest him, but observes him briefly before arresting him. There are a number of threads running through her, but in seperate acts both Leaphorn and Chee end up in Washington DC following leads - Leaphorn to find out who the dead man is, and Chee following what is happening to Henry Highhawk and the Smithsonian. Henry Highhawk is a born again Navajo - his grandmother is Agnes Tsosse but he has only just found that out - he has been learning all about the spirituality and culture of the Navajo and has been setting up a diorama at the Smithsonian to represent the masks of the gods, but it seems he has another presentation in mind. A much more visible act to get the world's attention and to protest against the continued storage of native American skeletons and remains at the museum. However there are other forces at work, there is something going on at an embassy in Washington which Leaphorn suspects is related but he does not understand how - finally Jim Chee and Leaphorn meet up in Washington to compare notes and it all becomes clear. The difference in the two men, in their styles of crime solving and the process is fascinating. Jim Chee is slightly more gauche, disturbing a tramp with unexpected results, and yet having much more of a spiritual belief. Joe Leaphorn is older, and while not necessarily more astute, he is much more poised. I love these mysteries, I noticed someone said don't read this one first. I don't know about that, I have read these all out of order but I haven't read all of them either. This is a great book, a good demonstration of their abilities and a good read which keeps you guessing until the end.

A Great Book!!

This book was one of the best mysteries I've ever read! Hillerman is a great author, and this book would have to be one of his best. There are many different characters and each of them have their own distinct personality, making the book interesting. This book is a must read!

Talking G-d Will Leave You Talking

This book will keep you reading through the night, as two police officers join together to solve an international crisis before it erupts. Talking G-d, by Tony Hillerman is an enthralling and actions packed book that will shock, surprise, and appall you. An Indian police officer and a police lieutenant are brought together by their individual cases while on vacation. The book shows the reader what Washington, D.C. looks like through the eyes of an Indian, what ancient Indian ceremonies are like, and what goes through a killer's mind as he is committing a murder. This book is action packed and humorous. It is thrilling because it describes murders in great detail, which also makes the book scary, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. It is laughable because it describes what people are thinking, and at times, that can be very entertaining. In conclusion, this book has everything you can ask for. As good as this book is, some people may disagree. This book has a slow start, and just when you thought something as going to happen, the chapter either ended or another character came in. Reading through the somewhat boring beginning is worth the powerful and thrilling ending. You will feel the urge to read the rest of Tony Hillerman's books after this exciting, engaging, and masterful book.

Leaphorn and Chee triumph again!

In this, the ninth Joe Leaphorn/Jim Chee mystery, Tony Hillerman moves some of his action outside his favored Navajo nation to the streets and museums of Washington DC. In "Talking God," Hillerman's police duo combine their skills once more for a riveting Hillerman police procedural. Both men are pursuing different crimes, and both end up in the nation's capital in an exciting run. Chee is in Washington to arrest Henry Highhawk, a Smithsonian curator and native American, for plundering the bones of their ancestors; Leaphorn is looking for the identity of a murder victim. As always, Hillerman provides much local color, culture, and socio/economic dynamics of the Navajos, many of whom are grasping quite desperately at maintaining a balance between their history and the present day sets of values. At the same time,"Talking God" is a compelling, gripping read in true Hillerman fashion. (Billyjhobbs@tyler.net)

This book accurately depicts geographical Navajoland.

For five years I lived in the area depicted by Mr.Hellerman, and found that his descriptions of the Navajo reservation land were so accurate that, in my mind, I could re-drive dusty roads with his characters. My family could recall every detail of his descriptions and attest to the cultural accuracy of his setting. Although riviting, readers should not evaluate this novel by plot alone. This fictional (?) story existed in a real time and place. This book had a profound effect on me, as it was read aloud to me while I was in a coma! It brought together two of the most profoundly spiritual peek-experiences in my life. What other murder-mystery can boast of producing such meaningful affect?