Shadow Man

Charlie Moon #10

by James D. Doss

When a local prosecuting attorney is killed by long-range rifle while dining at an exclusive Granite Creek, Colorado, restaurant, it seems obvious that a vengeful criminal is to blame. But orthodontist Manfred Blinkoe was sitting ten feet away and he insists that he was the intended victim. In fact, he claims that just before the shot was fired, he saw his doppelganger--an eerie lookalike--as he has in the past just before a near-death experience. Terrified, Blinkoe hires Charlie Moon to find the lookalike, but before Charlie can get anywhere, Blinkoe is murdered for real.
As usual in Doss's clever, intricately drawn mysteries, the cagey Charlie Moon and his Ute shaman Aunt Daisy share the spotlight.

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

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

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

[Jay Wright]

While I still enjoyed the characters, I found this story a little dull. Charlie is hired to protect an orthodontist with a checkered past. While I was surprised at who was trying to kill him, the story just dragged. Not much more to say.

[Darlene]

"Shadow Man" (2005) is the tenth in the Charlie Moon Mysteries but the first one I've read. I'm afraid he's got me hooked, yet mystery is not my favorite genre. It's a delightful, fun book, not really scary--it's OK to read before bedtime! My husband recommended it to me because he was sure I'd love the character of Charlie's aunt, Daisy Perika, a Ute shaman. He was spot on! Charlie, the Ute tribal investigator in Southern Colorado, is described as almost six and a half foot and very slim. Though this description doesn't really fit Andy Griffith, when Charlie spoke--his words, his smile, his thoughts and actions and his relationship with Aunt Daisy--I saw beloved Andy Griffith and Aunt Bea. It's a great book!

[George]

#10 in the Charlie Moon tribal investigator on Colorado's Ute reservation mystery series.

Dr. Manfred Blinkoe, a wealthy orthodontist with a very checkered past, while dining in a posh sees a woman shot dead from an unseen assailant's bullet, he can't help thinking that he was the intended target. Desperate for help, he turns to Charlie Moon for help. Charlie takes on the eccentric client with more money than sense and too many enemies.

Probably the best character in this series is Charlie’s Ute shaman and very cantankerous Aunt Daisy Perika who helps him using her shamanistic intuition. She adds humor along with Charlie to this series. Two great humorous are when Daisy and friends go on a drive and Sweet Alice a cantankerous horse.

shadow man
#10 in the Charlie Moon tribal investigator on Colorado's Ute reservation mystery series.

Dr. Manfred Blinkoe, a wealthy orthodontist with a very checkered past, while dining in a posh sees a woman shot dead from an unseen assailant's bullet, he can't help thinking that he was the intended target. Desperate for help, he turns to Charlie Moon for help. Charlie takes on the eccentric client with more money than sense and too many enemies.

Probably the best character in this series is Charlie’s Ute shaman and very cantankerous Aunt Daisy Perika who helps him using her shamanistic intuition. She adds humor along with Charlie to this series. Two great humorous are when Daisy and friends go on a drive and Sweet Alice a cantankerous horse.

[M. O'Gannon]

Shadow Man – 10th book in the Charlie Moon Series – Published 2006 – ***** - The orthodontist, Manfred Blinkoe, believes he is the target of an assassination attempt. Charlie Moon is hired, unhired, rehired to find out who might be trying to kill the man. Blinkoe is one of the most involved, unpredictable characters that Doss has created to date. Did he steal millions from a drug cartel? Charlie’s aunt, Daisy, is featured again and has a wonderful scene with her friend Louise-Marie. Charlie has his hands full with running two ranches and spooning FBI agent, Lila Mae McTeague. This is the best of the Doss novels I have read so far with more twists than a drive up the Italian Stelvio Pass through the Alps. Mystery, drama, suspense, humor and twists. What more could you want from a book?

[A.J.]

This thoroughly engrossing series has everything I want in a mystery novel: interesting characters, complex plots, rich history, scenic locale, plenty of action and hints of the supernatural world that is all around us, yet unseen. Can't wait to read more!

[Robert Lariviere]

A good read in an interesting series.

[Rick Molitor]

Reading a Charlie Moon adventure is always an enjoyable experience. I always ending up laughing out loud. Wonderful read for lifting your spirits.

[JoAnn Ainsworth]

The action got lost in all the side stories which developed the characters. The surprise ending had no build-up so it was indeed a surprise.

[Margaret]

Marvelously told book.

[Theda]

Not sure what the purpose of the prologue was, but it made me not want to read the book. Fortunately, I had to persevere (book club) and am glad I did.

[mandy newell]

Daisy Perika is in exquisite form in this edition of the Charley moon/Daisy Perika story. full of adventure and so many twists and curves. Couldn't put this down. Love Daisy's stubborness and quick wit. She reminds me of my Navajo Grandma. Full of spunk and wit

[Christina Hansen]

From the Charlie Moon mystery series. Got to love these books, which feature a mischievous Ute tribal elder in her 80s - Daisy Perika - as a trouble-making busybody who plays a critical role in each mystery. Love the setting - out West on the Ute reservation with scrub, canyons, caves, and nature. Mystical and religious overtones which are embraced and which are not mutually exclusive make this series intriguing. Plus Daisy's nephew, the suave seven-foot tall Charlie Moon - great series! Easy and smooth reading.

[Randy]

This is the fourth book I've read by James D. Doss, and all of them have been really good mysteries with great plots, interesting characters and terrific dialog that has lots of humor. There always has been a way for Charlie's aunt (a Southern Ute shaman) to help solve the mystery with her visions. There is one chapter where Charlie is riding a wild bronco that was so funny that it brought tears. Since Doss wrote seventeen Charlie Moon novels before he died in 2012, I only have thirteen more to read!

[Kit Potter]

This is a good one.

[Katy]

I had not read any of the Charlie Moon books before, but I liked this one. Charlie is a rancher, sometimes private detective, and he takes on the case of a man who believes the assassination of a prosecuting attorney was accidental; the bullet was meant for him. Why does he think this? Because he saw his doppleganger just before the assassination, just as he had several times before other near death experiences. Charlie doesn't give it much thought until a bullet does find its mark.

[Jeff Dickison]

I'm having a real hard time liking Doss' writing style. Part of it reads like an old woman's writing and part of it reads like a high school sophomore is writing. I also don't like all the mysticism involved. That said, the mystery is good, the plotting fair. I doubt that I will read many more of these.

[Jean]

Liked the location- and a bit of Indian magic thrown in made for interesting reading. I’d like to see the characters a bit better developed- I may have to read more Charlie Moon mysteries to get there.
It was a good long weekend sitting by the pool read

[Erin]

Charlie Moon continually shows he is a loving nephew (which can be difficult with Daisy) and a great investigator. The relationship he is developing with the FBI agent is a plus; she is a good addition to the cast of characters.

[Serena]

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.

[Harry Lane]

Police procedural with more than a dash of humor. Think Tony Hillerman meets Carl Hiaasen. A most entertaining read from beginning to end, even though (or maybe because) the resolution was incomplete.

[Laura Knaapen]

Entertaining but not compelling. I'll finish the series but I don't like the way he keeps information from the reader and then reveals it all in a wordy wrap-up at the end. I still like Daisy as a character.

[Linda]

I LOVE all the books by this author!

[Karl K]

It took me a while, but in the end, I really enjoyed this book.
I tend to think of the Charlie Moon books as log cabin cozys.

[Betty]

Even the indomitable Aunt Daisy is in danger in this one. Chalk up another great aboriginal (Ute) mystery for James Doss. Not only good mysteries but great fun. 4 1/2 stars.

[Melinda]

Charlie saga continues and this was a bit long winded. Did not like the ending and seemed a bit off the mark for PI Moon & his grandma.

[Douglas]

Another fun Charlie Moon mystery

[Sami Long]

By now, I am growing more and more disappointed with the author's storytelling. I don't like the campfire comments. The story is good, but it just doesn't move as smoothly.

[Sam]

This book was great! The adventures of Aunt Daisy had me laughing so hard. It isn't often that you get a good mystery that makes you laugh as well.

[Bonnie]

This Charlie Moon mystery kept me guessing as they usually do. It has a refreshing though somewhat disturbing treatment of the nature of the criminals.

[Carol]

Don't have anything good to say about this book so I won't say anything. Maybe just not in the right state of mind.