Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Harper (2009), Edition: Reprint, 336 pages
Description
Fiction. Mystery. A dying man is murdered. A rich man's wife agrees to pay three thousand dollars for the return of a stolen box of rocks. A series of odd, inexplicable events is haunting Sergeant Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police and drawing him alone into the Bad Country of the merciless Southwest, where nothing good can survive...including Chee. Because an assassin waits for him there, protecting a thirty-year-old vision that greed has sired and blood has nourished. And only one man will walk away.
User reviews
LibraryThing member ffortsa
In this one, Jim Chee meets Mary Landon, and solves an old case involving uranium, peyote rituals, and too many deaths by cancer to be accidental. Oh, and someone is out to kill him and Mary because they know a little too much. The landscape is as evocative as ever, and mention is made of Captain
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Leaphorn, but the two are not yet working together. Good book in the continuing series. Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
First book about Jim Chee. Leaphorn is no more than a one word reference. Unlike the first book about Leaphorn, Chee is a fully fleshed out character. He is complex, and there are details about him that have little to do with the mystery at hand. Already we know more about Chee's background and
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personal life than we do about Leaphorn even after three books. The mystery in this book is clever and the conclusion is satisfying. Show Less
LibraryThing member tzelman
One of the odder murder weapons I've come across--extremely spooky hitman after Jim Chee and his girlfriend
LibraryThing member babydraco
This is the type of book series where I keep getting the plots confused. I'd already read this one, but when I picked it up I wasn't sure which one of the books I'd already read this one would turn out to be.
Not bad. As usual, there's some good information about the Navajo.
But this one was
Not bad. As usual, there's some good information about the Navajo.
But this one was
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published in 1980- this is One Long Mystery Series. Show Less
LibraryThing member iayork
Skinwalkers, Navajo Wolves and Witches: In "People of Darkness", Navajo tribal police Sargent Jim Chee stumbles onto a mystery and unravels multiple crimes after being asked to find a keepsake box belonging to a wealthy man outside of Chee's jurisdiction. The wealthy man's second wife specifically
It is in this book that blue-eyed blonde, Mary Landon first makes her acquaintance with Chee. I found her to be an unlikable character with an aggressive, pushy, prodding, provocative, smart-mouth personality and arrogant attitude and was glad to know, from reading subsequent books of this particular series, Chee and she never married.
Alas, it is also in this book that Chee is on another mission - to learn more about white people and their culture. His yataalii uncle, who was to train him in the art along the path of balance and beauty, instructed Chee that he must first truly understand the value system of the white people, knowing everything it contains, before fully being able to embrace his decision of following the traditional Navajo walk.
Tony Hillerman packed this book full of relevant Navajo culture and lore, as always. Near the end of the story, Chee explains, "We don't have much violence, we Navajos. What there is is mostly associated with witchcraft. Changing Woman taught us how to cope with the Navajo Wolves. We turn the evil around so it works against the witch." The story ends with Chee's spirit in need of repair: "But he knew the cause and the cure. Changing Woman had taught them about it when she formed the first clans of the Dinee from her own skin. The strange ways of strange people hurt the spirit, turned the Navajo away from beauty. Returning to beauty required a cure." Hence the planning for a traditional Enemy Way ceremony to be held.
As with all of the Tony Hillerman books, I would give more than five stars if I could.
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requested Chee as investigator because Jim Chee is considered an authority on his Indian tribe's religion, studying to be a "yataalii" (a medicine man or "singer") and the suspects are thought to be The People of Darkness. It is in this book that blue-eyed blonde, Mary Landon first makes her acquaintance with Chee. I found her to be an unlikable character with an aggressive, pushy, prodding, provocative, smart-mouth personality and arrogant attitude and was glad to know, from reading subsequent books of this particular series, Chee and she never married.
Alas, it is also in this book that Chee is on another mission - to learn more about white people and their culture. His yataalii uncle, who was to train him in the art along the path of balance and beauty, instructed Chee that he must first truly understand the value system of the white people, knowing everything it contains, before fully being able to embrace his decision of following the traditional Navajo walk.
Tony Hillerman packed this book full of relevant Navajo culture and lore, as always. Near the end of the story, Chee explains, "We don't have much violence, we Navajos. What there is is mostly associated with witchcraft. Changing Woman taught us how to cope with the Navajo Wolves. We turn the evil around so it works against the witch." The story ends with Chee's spirit in need of repair: "But he knew the cause and the cure. Changing Woman had taught them about it when she formed the first clans of the Dinee from her own skin. The strange ways of strange people hurt the spirit, turned the Navajo away from beauty. Returning to beauty required a cure." Hence the planning for a traditional Enemy Way ceremony to be held.
As with all of the Tony Hillerman books, I would give more than five stars if I could.
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LibraryThing member Dorritt
Love the insights into the Navajo culture and reservation life, but the plot is pretty obvious and the relies on that hoariest of adventure/mystery cliches, the paid assassin. If there were really as many professional, paid killer as mystery writers would have us believe, there would be no
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mothers-in-law, divorce lawyers, or gym teachers left alive in the world. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookswoman
Tony Hillerman introduces us to Jim Chee in this episode of his marvelous series of Navajo police. Chee is facing a big decision, should he join the FBI (he has passed the tests and been asked to go to Quantico), or should he remain in New Mexico as a policeman, while staying to continue learning
While he is debating this decision he is drawn into a case of simple burglary that just continues to grow and expand, including oil rig explosions, dead bodies disappearing and suddenly being stalked by a killer.
Chee isn't alone in his quest, Mary Landon has managed to get involved in the mystery and Chee has to keep her alive along with keeping himself from harm.
I enjoyed meeting Chee and Mary, it will be interesting to move forward in this series to when Chee starts working with Leaphorn.
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to be a singer?While he is debating this decision he is drawn into a case of simple burglary that just continues to grow and expand, including oil rig explosions, dead bodies disappearing and suddenly being stalked by a killer.
Chee isn't alone in his quest, Mary Landon has managed to get involved in the mystery and Chee has to keep her alive along with keeping himself from harm.
I enjoyed meeting Chee and Mary, it will be interesting to move forward in this series to when Chee starts working with Leaphorn.
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LibraryThing member pussreboots
People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman is the fourth of the Navajo mysteries and the introduction of Jim Chee. Chee is hired as a private consultant to figure out who stole the apparently worthless rocks left in a wealthy man's box. Meanwhile, Leaphorn is curious about an old mining disaster that now
Hillerman's mysteries seem to bring together the old and the new, especially after the introduction of Jim Chee. As the younger of the two he gets the active cases — though usually as an officer of the Navajo Police. Joe Leaphorn, gets the gossip and cold cases and through patience, and the willingness to sit through many a long story, is able to see how the gossip fits together and (often) relates to the modern day case at hand.
People of Darkness was one of those rare Hillerman books where I was on the same page with Leaphorn. Usually I'm more of a Jim Chee person and I fail to see the big picture as it is unfolding before me. This time, though, I began to see how everything fit together in one of Leaphorn's earliest meetings to hear about the mining disaster and the belief that witchcraft was behind the cancer taking the survivors one by one.
Even though I saw how it fit all together, I still enjoyed the mystery. I listened to it on audio, performed by George Guidall. He has the perfect voice for these books.
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seems to be connected with a spate of cancer deaths. In the middle of all of this, there's a man driven mad by his desire for revenge.Hillerman's mysteries seem to bring together the old and the new, especially after the introduction of Jim Chee. As the younger of the two he gets the active cases — though usually as an officer of the Navajo Police. Joe Leaphorn, gets the gossip and cold cases and through patience, and the willingness to sit through many a long story, is able to see how the gossip fits together and (often) relates to the modern day case at hand.
People of Darkness was one of those rare Hillerman books where I was on the same page with Leaphorn. Usually I'm more of a Jim Chee person and I fail to see the big picture as it is unfolding before me. This time, though, I began to see how everything fit together in one of Leaphorn's earliest meetings to hear about the mining disaster and the belief that witchcraft was behind the cancer taking the survivors one by one.
Even though I saw how it fit all together, I still enjoyed the mystery. I listened to it on audio, performed by George Guidall. He has the perfect voice for these books.
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LibraryThing member AuntieClio
Hillerman’s mysteries are kept from being run of the mill by the intersection of white and Navajo culture. Since they’re set on Navajo land which has sketchy boundaries at best, there’s always jurisdictional issues. FBI or Navajo Police? Sheriff or BIA? Some combination of that or someone
What I’m most appreciative of are the descriptions of manners and customs. One does not drive up to someone’s home and knock on the door. One parks 30 feet away and waits for someone to come to the door and invite you in.
Navajo religion plays a big part in these books as well. Navajos seek harmony and believe that a person’s illness is caused by being out of harmony. A healer determines which ceremonies must be performed in order to bring the person back into harmony. Cancer isn’t a disease of uranium poisoning through mole fetishes, it’s being out of harmony. It’s Chee’s understanding of this concept and his training to be a singer which helps him understand how the pieces fit together.
Tony Hillerman’s mysteries are not deep, most books run right around 200 – 300 pages. They’re a fun way to pass an evening, and some days that’s all anyone can want.
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else? In Hillerman’s books, FBI almost always thinks it’s their jurisdiction.What I’m most appreciative of are the descriptions of manners and customs. One does not drive up to someone’s home and knock on the door. One parks 30 feet away and waits for someone to come to the door and invite you in.
Navajo religion plays a big part in these books as well. Navajos seek harmony and believe that a person’s illness is caused by being out of harmony. A healer determines which ceremonies must be performed in order to bring the person back into harmony. Cancer isn’t a disease of uranium poisoning through mole fetishes, it’s being out of harmony. It’s Chee’s understanding of this concept and his training to be a singer which helps him understand how the pieces fit together.
Tony Hillerman’s mysteries are not deep, most books run right around 200 – 300 pages. They’re a fun way to pass an evening, and some days that’s all anyone can want.
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LibraryThing member -Eva-
Acting Sergeant Jim Chee has to decide whether he should join the FBI or be a Hataalii, a traditional healer, while also trying to figure out why someone tries to murder an already dying man. I already like this series, but Chee is my favorite character because he's balancing between the
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traditional and the modern world, which makes for a great dichotomy and a wonderfully conflicted character. The mystery is really good too and even if parts of it isn't too hard to figure out, there are a couple of aspects that come to unexpected solutions. A great installment in a very entertaining series. Show Less
LibraryThing member allysonrabbott
People of Darkness
Another great read by Hillerman. I know it is from the 1990s, but these stories should be labelled as classics. They are timeless and are always intriguing, enjoyable in a gentle way. People of Darkness has Jimmy Chee following clues about a private case he has been offered, but
Another great read by Hillerman. I know it is from the 1990s, but these stories should be labelled as classics. They are timeless and are always intriguing, enjoyable in a gentle way. People of Darkness has Jimmy Chee following clues about a private case he has been offered, but
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no one seems to want him to take it. In the end, he becomes involved even though it was not on his agenda. Another well written mystery that hooks the reader and takes them into the world of Native American history and rituals. Show Less
LibraryThing member allysonrabbott
People of Darkness
Another great read by Hillerman. I know it is from the 1990s, but these stories should be labelled as classics. They are timeless and are always intriguing, enjoyable in a gentle way. People of Darkness has Jimmy Chee following clues about a private case he has been offered, but
Another great read by Hillerman. I know it is from the 1990s, but these stories should be labelled as classics. They are timeless and are always intriguing, enjoyable in a gentle way. People of Darkness has Jimmy Chee following clues about a private case he has been offered, but
Show More
no one seems to want him to take it. In the end, he becomes involved even though it was not on his agenda. Another well written mystery that hooks the reader and takes them into the world of Native American history and rituals. Show Less
LibraryThing member MrsLee
I'm looking back in a journal from 2005, when I read this. All I wrote is: Very good, as usual. Sorry. I always enjoy Hillerman's works and I don't think anyone could go wrong reading any of them.
LibraryThing member buffalogr
Jim Chee, Navajo policeman assembles three disparate clues into a final ending that blow your sox off. Brilliant police work, exciting characters and a dash of New Mexico Navajo culture tossed in. Engrossing and interesting, well paced. Chee is on the cusp of a life decision, which does not get
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made in this book...maybe next time? Show Less
LibraryThing member SandyAMcPherson
Insightful characterization of Navajo culture and the difficulties one of the Navajos has with understanding white culture and criminality. [Spoiler alert]: the plot involves someone assuming a new identity -- adroitly achieved and fit the theme very effectively. However, the paid assassin was a
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predictable addition and trapped the Navajo officer, Jim Chee, in a rather improbable development. The story was an overall enjoyable read and had the wonderful flavour of the American southwest country. Show Less
LibraryThing member -Eva-
Acting Sergeant Jim Chee has to decide whether he should join the FBI or be a Hataalii, a traditional healer, while also trying to figure out why someone tries to murder an already dying man. I already like this series, but Chee is my favorite character because he's balancing between the
Show More
traditional and the modern world, which makes for a great dichotomy and a wonderfully conflicted character. The mystery is really good too and even if parts of it isn't too hard to figure out, there are a couple of aspects that come to unexpected solutions. A great installment in a very entertaining series. Show Less
LibraryThing member lbswiener
People of Darkness is a well written suspenseful story. The adventure begins innocently enough with a Navajo police lieutenant being asked to locate a keepsake box that was stolen from a home safe. People of Darkness explores why a cult of miners all died from cancer and what has this got to do
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with the keepsake box? The book received four stars in this review for a good story. Show Less
LibraryThing member fuzzi
Jim Chee is a young Navajo, contemplating a law enforcement career with the FBI, when he's hired by a local woman to find an item taken during a burglary. And suddenly he faces pushback, evasions, and bullets.
I liked the characters in this mystery, and how the author skillfully interweaves Chee's
I liked the characters in this mystery, and how the author skillfully interweaves Chee's
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heritage into the story. Show Less
LibraryThing member Nodosaurus
This is the fourth book in the Chee/Leaphorn stories, I’m filling in a few books I missed when reading the series. Jim Chee has an offer to join the FBI which he is considering, or to continue his studies to become a Hataalii, a tribal medicine man.
There is a backstory of an explosion at a well
The People of Darkness are involved, somehow. This is a religious sect that worships the mole. It is not recognized by most Navajo for its use of peyote.
During his investigation, he finds himself and a woman, Mary Landon, who finds herself wandering with Chee during his investigations, the target of an assassin.
The locals believe Mr. Vines is a witch, Chee must find a solution that satisfies the local cultures and the white men.
The book is excellent and rich in Navajo culture.
There is a backstory of an explosion at a well
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logging event that killed a number of people. Years later a bomb explodes in a pickup as a tow driver is hooking it up for towing, the target was a man already dying from cancer. Then someone steels a keepsake box from a rich man, B. J. Vines, leaving many valuables that are in sight. Chee’s first involvement was when Mrs. Vines asked Chee to recover the box.The People of Darkness are involved, somehow. This is a religious sect that worships the mole. It is not recognized by most Navajo for its use of peyote.
During his investigation, he finds himself and a woman, Mary Landon, who finds herself wandering with Chee during his investigations, the target of an assassin.
The locals believe Mr. Vines is a witch, Chee must find a solution that satisfies the local cultures and the white men.
The book is excellent and rich in Navajo culture.
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LibraryThing member Zumbanista
Usually like Hillerman’s series and have read a few. Somehow this title didn’t deliver what I wanted and I abandoned it about 3/4’s of the way through. Very unusual for me to do this. Don’t know if I’ll continue or not with the series - might give the next one a go.
LibraryThing member JorgeousJotts
The Navajo aspect was a point of interest, but the mystery to me was just so-so, and I didn't connect with the characters quite as much as I would have liked. Still, I didn't *dislike* them. Most of this particular mystery was about events that took place many years before the book began, and that
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sort is rarely as engaging for me. I may try another from the series to see if it grabs me more, but at this point I'm not filled with confidence that this series is for me. Show Less
LibraryThing member applemcg
Only disappointment, while Jimmy Chee get's the job done, Leephorn is only mentioned by refeference.
LibraryThing member hailelib
People of Darkness features Jim Chee in an attempt to figure out just what is going on at the Vine's house at the same time he is trying to decide whether to join the FBI or to stay on the Rez and become a Singer. At the same time there is the mystery of why someone would try to murder an old man
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who is dying of cancer. Hillerman wrote a pretty entertaining story in People of Darkness. Show Less
LibraryThing member laytonwoman3rd
This one is all Jim Chee's show. He is introduced as a young Navajo tribal police officer, with a chance to join the FBI. He grapples with the need to understand how white people think so that he can deal with them professionally, without short-changing his own heritage and traditions. When a woman
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contacts him for help in finding a box that was stolen from her home during her husband's absence he hesitates to take it on, but is drawn in when the husband himself calls to tell him there's been a misunderstanding, and the box is not important enough to warrant an investigation. The wife was ready to pay Chee handsomely to find it, and the husband offers him a smaller amount, basically to forget about it. In an apparent sub-plot, a hired killer is doing away with people who might know something about an oil rig explosion years ago, and Chee himself becomes a target when he tries to make a connection. Fast-paced, and engaging. As with The Blessing Way, it suffers a bit from "first appearance" weaknesses---we just don't know Chee well enough yet, and after getting familiar with Leaphorn in the first three books in this series, I was disappointed to be back to square one, so to speak. Nevertheless, I know now what Hillerman can do with a character, and I'm here for it. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1980
Physical description
336 p.; 4.19 inches
ISBN
0061808393 / 9780061808395