The Shaman's Game

by James D. Doss

Book Overview

For tribes of the American Southwest, the annual Sun Dance is among the most solemn and sacred of rituals. But lately Death has been an uninvited guest at the hallowed rite.

Ute tribal policeman Charlie Moon is puzzled. The deceased Sun Dancers sustained no visible, life-ending injuries, so he is reluctant to call it murder -- though there is surely nothing natural about the sudden, inexplicable deaths of two strong and healthy men. Unlike...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380790300
• ISBN13: 9780380790302
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

High Stakes in Death

I skipped the Charlie Moon bumbling around fragments, these never go anywhere and serve no purpose. This mystery/suspense novel leads you into the heart of the characters with the exception of Scott Parris, who gets a short shift in THE SHAMAN'S GAME, but he is there at the climax. The battle of wills between Charlie and Aunt Daisy is cunning and unforeseeable right up to the conclusion on the last page. Each character in this thought provoking series grows and expands. Doss's figurative style provokes images so vivid the reader is right there under the blazing sun taking each step with the dancers. Nash Black, author of TRAVELERS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.

Real Fun Book!

I love this series of books. The characters are reader friendly and without noticing they soon become friends...sort of! HA! A real character connection in this series that's a plus in my book.

Good buy and great read

Get this book and then get the rest of the series. It's a great gift for yourself. Great characters who keep developing throughout the series to become like your friends.

Navajo versus Southern Ute

I had already read Tony Hillerman, many of his books and found them fascinating and informative. My daughter looked for other authors of like books and this was a gift from her. From the very first few paragraphs, this book opened up a new world into Native mysteries. Love Hillerman, but these books of James D. Doss (I am on my second) are his equal in many ways, with a tad more comic touches at times. The Shaman is Charlie Moon's sometimes crochety old aunt, the kind you have to respect but sometimes wince over. Charlie is laconic but loveable. The Sun Dance was particularly interesting as it is Native 'culture', well described and spread over several tribes. Modern and yet traditional at the same time. I have no doubt this author researched thoroughly. It has an air of magic, of the ancient and yet modern America creeps through. I could feel the heat, the dryness, and the suspence is sustained throughout the book. This book convinced me I should 'learn' more about Charlie Moon, Daisy Perika and Scott Parris (the matukach policeman). I have purchased all so far and am waiting for Grandmother Spider to come out in paperback. Mr Doss, more please in this vein.

A mystical mystery

It is a healing ritual for the Utes living in Southwestern Colorado. However, the Sun Dance is also a physically demanding event. Still, when hale and hearty tribesmen die during the dance, tribal police officer Charlie Moon suspects foul play even though the official report is death due to natural causes.However, the skeptical Charlie refuses to accept the explanation of his shaman aunt Daisy, who believes that an evil presence amidst the tribe is killing the participants. While Charlie continues to investigate the deaths, tribal reporter Delly Sands feels that she can ferret out the identity of the witch behind the recent deaths. However, Delly soon becomes a target and is hurt. Charlie begins to take Aunt Daisy seriously as he realizes that he is fighting something outside his understanding.The fourth entry in the Moon mysteries, THE SHAMAN'S GAME, is a great new edition to one of the best Native American detective stories on the market today. The characters feel genuine, even though their beliefs are very diverse. Some believe deeply in the Indian spiritual world while others have been Anglicized. The story line brilliantly balances the dance between police procedural and ethnic heritage. However, what makes this particular novel stand out is James D. Doss's delightful description and dazzling deference to the power of the Sun Dance.Harriet Klausner