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The Fallen Man Joe Leaphorn Novels Tony Hillerman Books

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The Fallen Man Joe Leaphorn Novels Tony Hillerman Books

THE TEASER
A teaser is a loathsome device intended to snag bookstore browsers with up-front action. However, teasers are most effective in confusing and misleading readers. In "The Fallen Man", three climbers on Ship Rock discover a body. Although never seen again (in the novel), the three climbers are named and characterized in some detail. It is easy for readers to confuse these men with the three male climbers which are important in the actual story, particular since the characters and events described are very similar.

THE SETUP
Although retired, Navajo policeman Joe Leaphorn makes a connection between the recently found body and a missing person (Harold Breedlove) eleven years earlier, and makes note of the coincidence that Amos Nez, who had been a climbing guide for Breedlove and his companions, was recently (non-fatally) shot. Breedlove's climbing companions were his wife Elisa, Elisa's brother Eldon, and George Shaw. Joe brings the situation to the attention of younger Navajo policeman Jim Chee, who is then assigned to investigate by his commander. In the meantime, Joe investigates the Nez shooting. At the time of his death, Harold had inherited a ranch, managed by Eldon and George Shaw (George's cousin and family lawyer) had delivered an offer on the ranch from a mining company. After Breedlove's death, the ranch is inherited by Elisa, and thus remains under Eldon's management. That's the setup.

In sidestories, Jim Chee is also assigned to investigate rustling of cattle and sheep, in concert with New Mexico Brand Inspector Dick Finch. Chee engagement to Janet Pete, who, although half-Navajo, wants Chee to pursue opportunities in the "white" world, deteriorates. Coincidentally, it was John McDermott's law firm which represented the Breedlove family. Janet had hooked up with Jim Chee on the rebound from McDermott.

COMMENTS
The principal continuing character in the series is Joe Leaphorn---one of the most interesting and convincing fictional analytical detectives ever created. Jim Chee and Bernadette Manueleto are also developed The novel also features many fascinating insights into Navajho and customs and mythology, not to mention Leaphorn's commentary on "White" culture. The landscape of the "Four Corners" region is particularly vividly and lovingly described.

"The Fallen Man" is more thoroughly a mystery novel with obligatory twists than some earlier Hillerman novels. For first time readers and mystery fans, that is probably a plus. For folks like me, on my 3rd or 4th reading, it is less compelling than some other earlier Hillerman novels, because we're already "in" on the mystery.

I have the feeling that some characters like John McDermott and Tommy Castro were added in later drafts, for various reasons. However, these characters, and the characters in the teaser are unnecessary to the main storyline and potentially confuse the reader.

Hillerman's titles are a bit problematic. None are descriptive of the plots. Sometimes it seems that a specific title would be more appropriate for the next novel in the series. That is particularly the case in "The Fallen Man". Although some attempt is made to justify the title, it is clear that Breedlove was a victim, not deserving of the appellation.

VERDICT
"The Fallen Man" is an excellent mystery in a series of masterpieces.

> Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.


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The Fallen Man Joe Leaphorn Novels Tony Hillerman Books Reviews

Just like the previous entry in Tony Hillerman's "Leaphorn & Chee" series ("Sacred Clowns"), I'm really rating "The Fallen Man" at 3-1/2 stars instead of the Very Good 4 stars out of 5 showing here. For the positives, once again Hillerman's got Leaphorn and Chee each pulling on their own threads until they finally meet up in the middle, wonderful settings, nice descriptions, bad guys getting what's coming to them, etc.. For the negatives, again, just like the previous book, Hillerman has given us just too much of Jim Chee's personal pain. At least in this book, it appears that Chee has finally received enough blows to the head with blunt instruments to actually notice that his love life is not going as he expects it to be going. If we're lucky, in the next book, Chee will figure out on which side of the fence he should actually be sowing his oats. But, I guess, just like in the last book, it makes for good philosophy.

I'd also like to mention that this book seems to have a few minor inconsistencies in actions, personalities, and settings that bothered me. They're very minor one example is in the first chapter where Hillerman's describing the sunset from Ship Rock. Essentially, he's got the Fall sun setting in the northwest when it should be setting in the southwest part of the sky.

Hillerman's "Leaphorn & Chee" novels are

1. The Blessing Way
2. Dance Hall of the Dead
3. Listening Woman
4. People of Darkness
5. The Dark Wind
6. The Ghostway (Jim Chee Novels)
7. Skinwalkers
8. A Thief of Time
9. Talking God
10. Coyote Waits
11. Sacred Clowns Novel, A
12. The Fallen Man
13. The First Eagle
14. Hunting Badger
15. The Wailing Wind
16. The Sinister Pig
17. Skeleton Man
18. The Shape Shifter
I would really love to give this five stars because I love the Navajo Mysteries books by Tony Hillerman. This is my second time reading the book and I had forgotten how slow the action took place. Hillerman' s knowledge of the land encompassing the Navajo reservation, the Navajo people, their customs and the other people who live on the land is enthralling. The reader becomes a part of the culture and can smell the air, the trees and the other plants; can feel the heat and see in the eye of the mind the landscape.

I have read all but a couple of the Navajo Mysteries and have read several at least twice. I regret there won't be more to enjoy. Hillerman draws his characters so completely that you know Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chew and Bernadette Manuelito when you pick up a book and begin reading.
Ship rock, an extravagance of volcanic rock in the New Mexico desert, rises abruptly from the valley floor and soars far enough that a certain variety of humans have a compulsion to scale its cliffs. In this particular adventure, the problem encountered by the various law enforcement /mystery solvers is a skeleton on the rock, obviously in place a long while.
As a member of a series, this book has an unfair advantage the characters haver been around the block a time or two, and they know each other. They behave in their usual fashion. The individuals imported just for this book behave as they should, to stay within the plot, but the plot has enough twists to keep you guessing as to, not so much "who done it", as " what will our heroes do about what was done" because justice is not always a thing within the law, and the law doesn't always create justice.
THE TEASER
A teaser is a loathsome device intended to snag bookstore browsers with up-front action. However, teasers are most effective in confusing and misleading readers. In "The Fallen Man", three climbers on Ship Rock discover a body. Although never seen again (in the novel), the three climbers are named and characterized in some detail. It is easy for readers to confuse these men with the three male climbers which are important in the actual story, particular since the characters and events described are very similar.

THE SETUP
Although retired, Navajo policeman Joe Leaphorn makes a connection between the recently found body and a missing person (Harold Breedlove) eleven years earlier, and makes note of the coincidence that Amos Nez, who had been a climbing guide for Breedlove and his companions, was recently (non-fatally) shot. Breedlove's climbing companions were his wife Elisa, Elisa's brother Eldon, and George Shaw. Joe brings the situation to the attention of younger Navajo policeman Jim Chee, who is then assigned to investigate by his commander. In the meantime, Joe investigates the Nez shooting. At the time of his death, Harold had inherited a ranch, managed by Eldon and George Shaw (George's cousin and family lawyer) had delivered an offer on the ranch from a mining company. After Breedlove's death, the ranch is inherited by Elisa, and thus remains under Eldon's management. That's the setup.

In sidestories, Jim Chee is also assigned to investigate rustling of cattle and sheep, in concert with New Mexico Brand Inspector Dick Finch. Chee engagement to Janet Pete, who, although half-Navajo, wants Chee to pursue opportunities in the "white" world, deteriorates. Coincidentally, it was John McDermott's law firm which represented the Breedlove family. Janet had hooked up with Jim Chee on the rebound from McDermott.

COMMENTS
The principal continuing character in the series is Joe Leaphorn---one of the most interesting and convincing fictional analytical detectives ever created. Jim Chee and Bernadette Manueleto are also developed The novel also features many fascinating insights into Navajho and customs and mythology, not to mention Leaphorn's commentary on "White" culture. The landscape of the "Four Corners" region is particularly vividly and lovingly described.

"The Fallen Man" is more thoroughly a mystery novel with obligatory twists than some earlier Hillerman novels. For first time readers and mystery fans, that is probably a plus. For folks like me, on my 3rd or 4th reading, it is less compelling than some other earlier Hillerman novels, because we're already "in" on the mystery.

I have the feeling that some characters like John McDermott and Tommy Castro were added in later drafts, for various reasons. However, these characters, and the characters in the teaser are unnecessary to the main storyline and potentially confuse the reader.

Hillerman's titles are a bit problematic. None are descriptive of the plots. Sometimes it seems that a specific title would be more appropriate for the next novel in the series. That is particularly the case in "The Fallen Man". Although some attempt is made to justify the title, it is clear that Breedlove was a victim, not deserving of the appellation.

VERDICT
"The Fallen Man" is an excellent mystery in a series of masterpieces.

> Click on “Stoney” just below the product title to see my other reviews, or leave a comment to ask a question.