Book Review: People of Darkness by Tony Hillerman (Leaphorn and Chee #4)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Meeting Chee, great plot

Cons: Set up requires a bit of patience, but it is rewarded

The Bottom Line:

New main character

Payoff worthy of set up

Becomes page turner

Introducing Jim Chee

I’ve been waiting to meet Jim Chee, the other main character in Tony Hillerman’s famous mystery series set in and around the Navajo Reservation. With book four, it is finally time for him to step into the spotlight. And People of Darkness is a great introduction. 

It seems an odd assignment. Chee is asked by a rich man’s wife to locate an old box her husband cherished. Only she doesn’t know what is in it. And she doesn’t want him to involve the local police. She’s even hiring him off the books. The more Chee begins poking around, the more questions he gets. And every person who tells him to stop just makes him more curious. What will he uncover?

This is one of those books that introduces several seemingly random storylines and characters. I’ll admit I was a bit annoyed as this was set up, even though I figured it would all come together. It was just that things were so far removed it was hard to care. But as the book reached its climax, I couldn’t help but be in awe at exactly how everything came together. The ride was well worth it, and it drew me in more and more the further I got into the book. 

I liked Jim Chee. There are similarities and differences between him and Joe Leaphorn. I know I have a few books to go before they start really interacting, and I’m looking forward to that. Having said that, I did enjoy the reference to Leaphorn we got here. 

The rest of the cast is interesting as well. I wish I thought a couple would come back, but I suspect they were only around for this book. I did think we spent a bit too much time with one character, and I’m not sure it really paid off. But that might just be me being nitpicky. 

As always, the Navajo culture plans a big part in the story. I really liked how that was incorporated. And I’m beginning to feel at home in that world after reading several of these books. 

Once again, I listened to the audio version of this book. I enjoy George Guidall’s narration, and he did a fine job here again. I did struggle a bit with one aspect, and it’s not the narrator’s fault. Chee is very close in narration to “she,” and there were a few times I got stopped by misunderstanding them. Again, that was minor. 

I know I have a long way to go with this series, but I’m happy to have finally met the other key player in the series. If you haven’t read People of Darkness yet, you are in for a treat. 

Check out the rest of the Leaphorn and Chee Mysteries.