The Shaman's Bones

Charlie Moon #3

by James D. Doss

A woman of the Tohono O'otam tribe has been savagely -- and ritually -- murdered in Wyoming, outside the jurisdictions of Granite Creek, Colorado, Police Chief Scott Parris and Ute tribal policeman Charlie Moon. But a brutal, unprovoked assault by the suspected killer on one of Parris's detectives -- and the dark, unsettling visions of Charlie's shaman aunt, Daisy Perika -- are pulling two dedicated lawmen and an aging Native American mystic into the hunt.

Daisy's dreams of raining blood tell her that more will die. Despite the healthy skepticism of his good friend Moon, Parris is inclined to heed the shaman's dire warnings. But the trail of a murderer is leading them all to perilous and unexpected places, where secrets of past betrayals and treacherous tribal politics are buried, and where the pursuit of a stolen Power has turned some men greedy and hungry. . .and deadly.

Genres: Mystery, Native American, Westerns, Fiction, Indigenous, Mystery Thriller, Procedural

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

James D. Doss (1939, Kentucky, -17 May 2012) was a noted American mystery novel author. He was the creator of the popular fictional Ute detective/rancher Charlie Moon, of whom he wrote 17 mystery novels. James "Danny" Doss was born and raised in Kentucky and died in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He was also an electrical engineer who worked on particle accelerators and biomedical technology for the University of California's Los Alamos National Laboratory, while writing his novels. After retirement from Los Alamos National Laboratory, he continued to write his popular novels while living in Taos, New Mexico and Los Alamos, New Mexico.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Doss

Reviews

[carol. · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you enjoyed this book, fabulous. Great. Please don't read this review. I'm very forgetful, and if someone suggests this book to me in a year, I'd probably take a look at it because I'm a sucker for the southwest and a skeletal image. So I'm going to be very explicit.


Dear Carol:

Don't read this. I'm not kidding. You hated this book. It's the kind of writing that will result in shouting, and the poor library book doesn't deserve to be thrown across the room.

The narrative is tailor-made to make you crazy. Doss loves the third-person limited perspective, and will change perspectives multiple times in a chapter. I know you think I'm exaggerating, but it's true. Let me illustrate: The first chapter has a weird poetic dream-state description of the land, the dream of a shaman, then the perspective of a white detective, Parris. The second chapter has a child, Sarah, and her memories of a dream when she was even younger; then a perspective from her mother Mary; and the dreaming shaman again. Third chapter: Mary, then Sarah, then a golden eagle (I'm not even joking), Mary, and then her husband Provo. But don't worry--Doss will drop the Mary perspective when she disappears and swing around to some other people. Lizzie the bartender; Sweetwater, the tribal chairperson; Sargent Harry, Officer Trainee Alicia, and Eddie with the wooden leg. None of these people matter at all, but it does take up at least a couple pages of space each. It's like Doss is character-padding his book.

He also loves a portentous statement. It's intriguing the first couple of times and to be expected as a hook. But he does it every chapter, and usually at the end of every voice in the chapter. To give him credit, is is an effective way of signalling the end of a character's moment. Just how bad is it? Quite. Let me show you from the first two chapters: "Except... when they are not." (and that's not even my ellipsis for spoiler). "And this is only the beginning." "And it won't be long in coming." "He shivered.""There were more than ten." "And then the shaman noticed... this was a very small grave." And it goes on like that for the entire book. "But first he must redeem himself with his people." "Then his weary soul would long for rest. And find none."

I suppose we need those statements to help us remember this is a mystery, because it is 124 pages before we find a body. The lack of tension is notable as we are reading limited perspectives from the victim, probably the murderer (never found out), the detectives and the accused murderer. This is not one of those mysteries that will keep you awake.

Speaking of sentence fragments... I wasn't going to go into the structure, because normally I'm not that person, but, wow. I can't believe this was edited, or that Doss or the editor passed ninth grade English. You are only allowed to use that many fragments and ellipses if you are writing a note to yourself, or if you are a deconstructionist post-modern writer--and I'm not too sure about the former.

I'm also pretty sure you would have gone nuts over the white detective character if you had kept reading. It got a little nauseating about the time the Ute shaman recognized that the "blue-eyed Wyoming lawman was a familiar sight around Bitter Springs. The shaman's gaze paused on Scott Parris. Now, this was a very interesting man. A man... perhaps... who was touched by the Power." (again, not my ellipsis).

Don't be misled by the marketing. It's blurbed by the Denver Post with "Fans of Tony Hillerman's Navajo mysteries will find a new home here."

No, no we won't, unless it's the literary equivalent of a cardboard box home underneath the 405 with diesel as air freshener. Not that Hillerman was incredible--but he was fairly solid and steady. Doss's narrative is a hot mess, and I can't recommend it.

Please don't pick this up again.

H&K,

Carol

[Laura Knaapen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very weird mystical, native stuff going on in this one. A lot of jumping around from location/character to location/character. Interesting, entertaining, but very weird.

[Netti · Rating 3 out of 5]

AUDIOBOOK, gelesen von Romy Nordlinger. Der Südstaatenakzent passt natürlich, ging mir aber trotzdem auf die Nerven...

1997 - USA, Colorado, Southern Ute Reservation
First published 1997

Für mich das dritte Buch aus dieser Reihe, und damit mache ich Schluss: für meinen Geschmack nehmen inzwischen Zauber, Geister und hellseherische Träume viel zu viel Raum ein. Mindestens sechs Personen haben Visionen, und die Umstände des Mordes bleiben doch sehr vage. Die fast ein Lebensalter zurückliegende Vorgeschichte ist nicht sonderlich interessant. Viel Lärm um nichts.

[Gary Dewolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started slow and ended with the most lengthy resolution to a mystery that I’ve read in some time. I enjoy the richness of the Native American culture involvement with the stories. Much deeper 5han Tony Hillerman.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third book and I'm still on the fence. Do I want to continue reading this series? (I bought the whole series at a garage sale for $4, so I already have all the books.)

I do like some of the characters. And I do like that it features the Utes ... but I'd like to hear from someone who is familiar with Ute culture, especially the mysticism angle. I did like the way it was addressed on p 184 when the shaman explained how he got from Wyoming to Colorado:
"On this trip I rode in the soft belly of a great beast that had no soul. This beast roared and shook ..."
The quote continues explaining the journey, and then we learn that there's a Greyhound ticket in the shaman's pocket.

A little mysticism fits, but it's overused in this book. I hope this isn't true of his later volumes.

Gruesome deaths aren't necessary. The storyline is the key, bizarre incidents detract ... especially when there are too many of them.

Scott Parris, the police chief who moved from Chicago to a small police force in southern Colorado, has always been depicted as too hesitant and overly responsive to what he perceives as flirtation. In this book, he blushed too much and even used the word, 'Jeepers." Not realistic for an experienced law officer.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. I have been reading this series from the first book and will likely continue to the last. The books are intricate and well crafted. The interactions between the Ute Policeman Charlie Moon and the white policeman Scott Parris are interesting from a buddy standpoint. T. he heavy dose of mysticism sets it out as different from others in this genre (Hillerman, Coel, Thurlo) and may be off-putting to some. As I am Native American, I found it interesting. The story is complex and the crimes horrific. The assault on the female police officer and the death of another officer could have been fleshed out a bit more in the closing chapters. Otherwise the book is a good solid mystery.

I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the Native American mystery genre. I have one caveat - If you do not care for a dose of surreal Native American mysticism, the book may not work for you. I have enjoyed each book in the series a bit more than the previous book and plan on reading all of them.

[Jim Folger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Doss has written several mystery novels based on Native American culture in the Southwest. This genre focuses on the influences of shamans and their impact on the community and its people. The Shaman’s Bones bears a similarity to Tony Hillerman’s works but focuses even more on the mysticism of the ancient people. I found it somewhat confusing with the wide range of characters and the jumping around from one situation to another that appear to be unrelated. There is less detail than I have found in Hillerman’s writings, and less charisma in the two protagonist policeman and shamans.
Somewhat entertaining, but difficult to follow, especially if you stop reading for a few days.

[Marijalas · Rating 4 out of 5]

American NativeTwilight Zone

An interesting story. This is other world is natural in the lives of Native Americans. Much like other religions and superstitions battle to give understanding to what we don’t understand.
Police procedural method is weakened because it relies too much on the supernatural . The main characters are interesting and likable. Will definitely continue to read this series.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strange story but also intriguing. Charlie Moon and Scott Parris are brought together again with a string of murders. Moon’s Aunt is a shaman and sees things others cannot. You are never quite sure of who did it because there are facts unknown . It twists and turns like a good whodunnit should. Part real world; part dream; and part magic drive the plot and keep you glued for the conclusion.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. What a great author. I'm sorry I didn't "discover" him sooner.

[Ginny Goldberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was James Doss' 3rd book and this book has a slightly different narrative. It also has more of a mystic flavor; yet, at the end it all came together for a good read.

[Chick Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying the services very much

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked it! Writer keeps reader interested with layered plots, fascinating characters quick reading.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like these books very much!

[A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Wish there were dozens more, instead of only a few.

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a bit hard to follow…I do like the Charlie Moon series, but this wasn’t the best

[Bob Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book story involves mysteries, spirits black magic and murder.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read

[♞ Pat Gent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a new author for me, one I'm surprised that I'd never read before. I enjoyed his writing the same way that I enjoy Tony Hillerman's, although Doss is a little more brutally graphic than Hillerman. The story, however, is the same basic kind of story that Hillerman tells - Native American reservation police involved in a murder mystery, surrounded by legend and spirit magic. The story was solid. A really good read!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Tony Hillerman’s Navajo mysteries, and I love the red-rock country of Southern Utah, so James Doss was a logical next author to read, and The Shaman’s Bones was a good place to start.

The Denver Post says Hillerman’s fans will find a new home here. It’s probably right. Doss’s characters seem more actively mystical than Hillerman’s, with dreams revealing hidden locations and spirit guides speaking in riddles. But there’s a beautifully solid grounding in humor and everyday reality. Some delightfully convoluted conversations reward the reader with laugh-out-loud insights, even as chapters end with dark foreboding and foreshadowing. The characters bring and reveal their own different strengths and weaknesses, learning more about each other as the tale weaves on.

A small child is left in the care of Charlie Moon’s aunt; her mother and father seem to have disappeared. Meanwhile dark visions promise death and dismay, and a woman is murdered in very strange circumstances. Police Chief Scott Parris has his own reasons for listening carefully when the aunt warns of danger to come, and the scene is set.

The novel is relatively long at 350 pages, and the list of characters likewise, but the story kept me eagerly reading, and the characters stayed clear and well-defined. The scenery plays its own part too, with beautiful descriptions and atmosphere. I was glad to find that there are many more Shaman mysteries by Doss, and I plan to look out for them.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this one was a shade darker than the later Doss books I've read, but there was still the usual humor. I've noticed he does a lot of stylistic experiments throughout the series that aren't always appealing. For example, this one has some really blunt foreshadowing as in "he shouldn't have done that," and that sort of thing. For an early novel in the series, that's understandable, but it's tough because you already know what's certain to happen in a little while and I prefer a lot more subtlety. I applaud the crafting of one particular red-herring, a clue I thought was there and an allusion back to it that I was sure made it one, but in the end it was not a clue at all! When Aunt Daisy takes a flyswatter to Charlie Moon for dismissing her visions and he's laughing the whole time she's slapping him with it, I can really see that happening. That's a fine example of the two worlds Doss brings together in his books.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series will help to fill the void left by the death of Tony Hillerman, one of favorite all time authors. This series takes place on the Ute reservation in southwest Colorado; Charlie Moon, the main character is a Ute tribal policeman. In this book he travels to wyoming as he works on a case involving murder and a stolen Indian relic. As Mr Hillerman did so well, James Doss developes his story while imparting a lot of information about the tribal culture, and with great descriptions of the southwest landscape.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an appealing Southwest mystery. Daisy Perika, aunt of Charlie Moon....a Ute policeman, has visions of brutal murders. In her dream, it was raining blood...which means more than one murder.
Charlie Moon and his friend in law enforcement, Scott Parris, end up taking several trips between southwest Colorado and Wyoming to solve this case.
Some of the characters in this book are intriguing and myserious.
The plot even involves events that took place many years ago (1938). Mysticism plays a role that you might not expect.

[Cat. · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are set in a fictional small town in Colorado, like Grand Junction. The main character is a widowed former Chicago cop, but he is paired up with a Ute tribal policeman (he is also chief of police in this city & has some kind of ESPish ability). Good stories that bring in a lot of Ute culture. In this one, the cops are involved in a crime that takes place in Wyoming, and then travels back to their area in Colorado.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book concerns a mysterious death which is solved by a combination of reality based police work and mystical revelation. The characters are well developed and very interesting. The story takes place on 2 different American Indian reservations and during the unwinding of the case we also learn something of the culture and history of the Utes, and some"tidbit" about other tribes. I recommend this book without reservation (no pun intended!).

[Sandra Holladay · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Doss has crafted another intriguing book in his Charlie Moon series. The Shaman's Bones is full of humour and suspense (and yes, dark and horrible things as well - but handled well). The characters are wonderful, especially our three main ones, Charlie Moon, Scott Parris, and our ever favorite Daisey Perika; even the lesser characters are easy to relate to.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery that takes place on and around southern Ute Indian reservation. The characters are interesting. Some of the native American beliefs and customs are brought into the story making it more interesting for me.

[T J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlie Moon and Chief Scott Paris are off to Wyoming to track down a thief but find much, much more. Daisy's dreams of falling blood tell her murder is not far behind. This another whodunit which is one exciting read.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters, and their world and hope I get the chance to read the story again and/or to read more within the series.

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.

[Jayne Yenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

fascinating!