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Leaphorn & Chee #4-6
Three Jim Chee Mysteries: People of Darkness / The Dark Wind / The Ghostway
In People of Darkness, Hillerman's first novel to introduce Officer Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police, Chee is forced to use all of his powers of deduction and insight to extricate himself from a deadly series of incidents. In The Dark Wind, a seemingly routine stakeout at a vandalized windmill thrusts Chee into the center of a dangerous web of drugs, witchcraft, and betrayal. And in The Ghostway, a felon relocated under the Federal Witness Relocation Program sets off a chain of treachery and killings, and only Chee has the knowledge of the people and the landscape to understand the clues.
566 pages, Hardcover
First published November 27, 1990
8 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Tony Hillerman
220 books1,852 followersTony Hillerman, who was born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, was a decorated combat veteran from World War II, serving as a mortarman in the 103rd Infantry Division and earning the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. Later, he worked as a journalist from 1948 to 1962. Then he earned a Masters degree and taught journalism from 1966 to 1987 at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, where he resided with his wife until his death in 2008. Hillerman, a consistently bestselling author, was ranked as New Mexico's 25th wealthiest man in 1996. - Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
August 19, 2007
Tony Hillerman does a lot of reseach when writing his mysteries...These stories incorporate many Navajo Tribal legends and customs within the story line and his description of the New Mexico scenery is like being there..I very highly recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries or anyone who loves reading about American Indians and our customs..
March 27, 2015
excellent set of mysteries. Learned something a Navajo religious practices along with culture and bad guys all mixed together.
January 13, 2023
Three Jim Chee Mysteries
---“People of Darkness”---
“The mole, his hunting place is darkness.”
“The mole, his hunting song is silence.”
Sgt Jim Chee of the Navaho tribal police is asked by the wife of Benjamin J. Vines to retrieve a mysterious box stolen from her husband’s safe while he was away. When Mister Vines returns, he tells Chee that it was all a mistake and hands Chee a check. We all know Chee can not let this lay still so the mystery leads him to people that use a mole for their talisman “The people of Darkness” and it appears that something (or someone) is killing them all off.
The mystery is fair and Tony Hillerman does not hide clues or surprise suspects until the last minute so it is not too hard to guess most of the plot or who the good guys and bad guys are. We are introduced to the Navaho concept of witches and Mary Landon who will play parts (if she survives) in future novels. In the process, we get a vivid description of the four corners and other areas nearby. In People of darkness, he picks up a Lota Burger and I have eaten a few of them myself. In future books, we will be introduced to the Navaho Taco. For the anthropologist in us, he describes many signs and ways.
-----------------------------------------------
---“The Dark Wind”---
"A dark wind has entered his soul"
"Enemies unseen... Fears unspoken...... A dark wind has entered his soul"
Navajo Tribal Police Sgt. Jim Chee seems to be batting zero; so far he has not been able to solve a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. In an area that was joint-use land between the Navaho and the Hopi (now Hopi), Sgt Jim Chee is given the task of finding the vandal that keeps destroying a windmill placed there to make Hopi life easier. He hears an airplane landing in the dark of night with no lights. The plane crashes and leaves a dying pilot. Also, a dead man sitting up against a rock with a note in his hand saying if you want it back contact…
Sgt Chee is told that it is probably drugs and federal jurisdiction. Chee is not supposed to go anywhere near or have anything to do with the case. He has his problems with the mill, a missing thief, and mysterious ritual death. Naturally, he listens, and can not help it if they overlap.
One of the reasons for reading Hillerman’s books that may be more important than the overlying mystery is the descriptions of the area and the Ways of the Navaho and Hopi. Hillerman suggests you also read “The Book of the Hopi” by Frank Waters.
Not as intricate as the book but still fun is the movie “Dark Wind” (Lou Diamond Phillips as Officer Jim Chee, Fred Ward as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn)
-------------------------------------
---“The Ghost Way”---
Shoot out at the Wash-O-Mat
A Shoot out at the Shiprock Wash-O-Mat leads to a puzzle that only Jim Chee with his knowledge of the Ghostway and death rituals can try to piece together. Related is the disappearance of a schoolgirl (Margaret Sosi) who will lead Jim from the New Mexico landscape to the Los Angeles area. Therewith Hillerman's gift for description we also get a contrasting look at the different worlds. Will He find the girl and what does the puzzle spell out, or will it ever become clear?
This is a close continuation of "People of Darkness" so many of the descriptions and people were previously defined in that book. The reason people read Hillerman is mostly for the descriptions of the places and people his characters encounter. As seen in previous books, in the description of Margaret and other characters, he incorporates his real-life experience with World War II and its aftermath.
---“People of Darkness”---
“The mole, his hunting place is darkness.”
“The mole, his hunting song is silence.”
Sgt Jim Chee of the Navaho tribal police is asked by the wife of Benjamin J. Vines to retrieve a mysterious box stolen from her husband’s safe while he was away. When Mister Vines returns, he tells Chee that it was all a mistake and hands Chee a check. We all know Chee can not let this lay still so the mystery leads him to people that use a mole for their talisman “The people of Darkness” and it appears that something (or someone) is killing them all off.
The mystery is fair and Tony Hillerman does not hide clues or surprise suspects until the last minute so it is not too hard to guess most of the plot or who the good guys and bad guys are. We are introduced to the Navaho concept of witches and Mary Landon who will play parts (if she survives) in future novels. In the process, we get a vivid description of the four corners and other areas nearby. In People of darkness, he picks up a Lota Burger and I have eaten a few of them myself. In future books, we will be introduced to the Navaho Taco. For the anthropologist in us, he describes many signs and ways.
-----------------------------------------------
---“The Dark Wind”---
"A dark wind has entered his soul"
"Enemies unseen... Fears unspoken...... A dark wind has entered his soul"
Navajo Tribal Police Sgt. Jim Chee seems to be batting zero; so far he has not been able to solve a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. In an area that was joint-use land between the Navaho and the Hopi (now Hopi), Sgt Jim Chee is given the task of finding the vandal that keeps destroying a windmill placed there to make Hopi life easier. He hears an airplane landing in the dark of night with no lights. The plane crashes and leaves a dying pilot. Also, a dead man sitting up against a rock with a note in his hand saying if you want it back contact…
Sgt Chee is told that it is probably drugs and federal jurisdiction. Chee is not supposed to go anywhere near or have anything to do with the case. He has his problems with the mill, a missing thief, and mysterious ritual death. Naturally, he listens, and can not help it if they overlap.
One of the reasons for reading Hillerman’s books that may be more important than the overlying mystery is the descriptions of the area and the Ways of the Navaho and Hopi. Hillerman suggests you also read “The Book of the Hopi” by Frank Waters.
Not as intricate as the book but still fun is the movie “Dark Wind” (Lou Diamond Phillips as Officer Jim Chee, Fred Ward as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn)
-------------------------------------
---“The Ghost Way”---
Shoot out at the Wash-O-Mat
A Shoot out at the Shiprock Wash-O-Mat leads to a puzzle that only Jim Chee with his knowledge of the Ghostway and death rituals can try to piece together. Related is the disappearance of a schoolgirl (Margaret Sosi) who will lead Jim from the New Mexico landscape to the Los Angeles area. Therewith Hillerman's gift for description we also get a contrasting look at the different worlds. Will He find the girl and what does the puzzle spell out, or will it ever become clear?
This is a close continuation of "People of Darkness" so many of the descriptions and people were previously defined in that book. The reason people read Hillerman is mostly for the descriptions of the places and people his characters encounter. As seen in previous books, in the description of Margaret and other characters, he incorporates his real-life experience with World War II and its aftermath.
May 9, 2022
I read these, too, long ago. My rereading only solidifies my opinion that Tony Hillerman was a superb mystery writer. In looking back, these second three in the series were a departure in one way. The original protagonist, Joe Leaphorn, had his role taken by the young Jim Chee. I feel Hillerman decided as he wrote the earlier books to introduce more of the Native American, Navajo, Hopi, etc religious culture to readers, hence Jim Chee an aspiring "healer-in-training."
That introduction brought the series deeper into the mythology of the West. Enhancing characters' motivations, the differences between the spiritual 'balance' of tribal culture and the competitive, hard-charging, acquisitive 'White man's" culture are brought into focus. Of course, as Hillerman made clear, Indians also killed Indians, though for different reasons.
These second three in Hillerman's series are as good as the Leaphorn mysteries. May they stay in print and in popularity for decades to come. Five stars, and more if this site allowed!
That introduction brought the series deeper into the mythology of the West. Enhancing characters' motivations, the differences between the spiritual 'balance' of tribal culture and the competitive, hard-charging, acquisitive 'White man's" culture are brought into focus. Of course, as Hillerman made clear, Indians also killed Indians, though for different reasons.
These second three in Hillerman's series are as good as the Leaphorn mysteries. May they stay in print and in popularity for decades to come. Five stars, and more if this site allowed!
October 4, 2022
My father loves Louis L'Amour but has recently gotten into a new series about Australia. I've been looking for books to add to his reading library. Somehow or the other, Tony Hillerman ended up on my radar. I found a large-print edition of this book.
I loved it. Mysteries is not my favorite genre; I'm more the fantasy-type. But I still enjoyed this series. I liked the quiet thoughtfulness of Jim Chee. I really liked that he didn't "think white" in that this allowed me to experience the world in a new way.
I hope my dad likes it when I send it to him.
I loved it. Mysteries is not my favorite genre; I'm more the fantasy-type. But I still enjoyed this series. I liked the quiet thoughtfulness of Jim Chee. I really liked that he didn't "think white" in that this allowed me to experience the world in a new way.
I hope my dad likes it when I send it to him.
May 18, 2023
People Of the Darkness
Tony Hillerman
A story about a man named Jim Chee. So simple yet so vibrant. From the early stages to the finale, you are surely to be on the edge of your seat while reading. A nostalgic work, even for those who were not presently alive in the time period. Which is why I call this book timeless. As well as me being to find familiarity with the characters in this book. To even know as some settings the story takes place in. That range from various locations throughout Dinetah. Places such as Window Rock and Shiprock.
I personally like that some common concepts to me are mentioned, but I don’t like that they may be uncommon to some readers. Such concepts include references to certain taboo “monsters” and several traditions. To name a few, Skinwalkers and Entering a Hogan to the Left side first. These are surely mentioned throughout the authors portrayal of Sargent Jim, the main character trying to solve a murder. That spans across a long period of time. In which I will say to avoid spoilers that it is twice as long as I have lived and breathed. What I don’t personally enjoy is a seemingly short book, that has what feels like millions of microscopic words on print. Though this may vary from reader to reader. Finally I al so enjoy that it is also action packed.
To say the least this has a little bit of everything for everyone. To start things off the story is culturally set in southwestern north America and takes on the rugged macho cop. Solving a mystery on the Rez. Which is why I believe people who enjoy western style arts and law enforcement genera’s will enjoy this book very much.
Tony Hillerman
A story about a man named Jim Chee. So simple yet so vibrant. From the early stages to the finale, you are surely to be on the edge of your seat while reading. A nostalgic work, even for those who were not presently alive in the time period. Which is why I call this book timeless. As well as me being to find familiarity with the characters in this book. To even know as some settings the story takes place in. That range from various locations throughout Dinetah. Places such as Window Rock and Shiprock.
I personally like that some common concepts to me are mentioned, but I don’t like that they may be uncommon to some readers. Such concepts include references to certain taboo “monsters” and several traditions. To name a few, Skinwalkers and Entering a Hogan to the Left side first. These are surely mentioned throughout the authors portrayal of Sargent Jim, the main character trying to solve a murder. That spans across a long period of time. In which I will say to avoid spoilers that it is twice as long as I have lived and breathed. What I don’t personally enjoy is a seemingly short book, that has what feels like millions of microscopic words on print. Though this may vary from reader to reader. Finally I al so enjoy that it is also action packed.
To say the least this has a little bit of everything for everyone. To start things off the story is culturally set in southwestern north America and takes on the rugged macho cop. Solving a mystery on the Rez. Which is why I believe people who enjoy western style arts and law enforcement genera’s will enjoy this book very much.
April 28, 2025
I greatly enjoyed People of Darkness and The Dark Wind. It is quite a treat to be treated (or allegedly treated) to aspects of the Navajo culture that one rarely encounters. I say allegedly, because I honestly don't know how accurate Hillerman is, so I'm taking it for granted that he is quite knowledgeable of the culture. Now, I didn't care for The Ghostway. The torture and killing of the guard dogs set a bad precedent that I couldn't shake. And I grew tired (and a bit confused) of Chee's trek into the wilderness for Sosi's cleansing ceremony. That being said, I have availed myself of another ten of Hillerman's Chee/Leaphorn books, so admittedly on a Hillerman binge. See you later!
July 15, 2018
All those years I spent as a public librarian when Tony Hillerman books had a wait list a foot long, and I had never read one! I am glad a friend loaned me this collection of three Jim Chee mysteries. The cultural exposure to Navajo and Hopi ways are significant and the smells, views and textures of the West stunning. Unfortunately, I find the genre so captivating that nothing else gets done!
May 27, 2021
Jim Chee is one of those characters who stay with you when you close the book. The mysteries he's solving are well written too, and I enjoyed being led through them. Information did pile up at a few points to the point that I wasn't quite following, but overall a very good read.
February 21, 2022
Just read People of Darkness. Jim Chee is such a complex interesting character. Using his knowledge of the Navaho way and also figuring out how a white man was reasoning always helps figure out his cases. I appreciate the picture Hillerman paints of Navaho country.
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July 4, 2022book
June 27, 2023
Wow! Never read Hillermans Native American detective series before. Fascinating read about the Navajos traditions and beliefs all in the midst of a detective series. Well worth the read!
March 12, 2025
I own this book so read one of the three novels when convenient. I like Hillerman's research and story telling, his reservation voice. The mysteries are almost as good as our unassuming detective hero. Leaphorn's presence in a story adds immensely.
July 22, 2008
I love Tony Hillerman's novels! They easily suck you in, but they never leave you feeling like you've read something pointless (like a number of popular mysteries I've read).
I recommend reading these books with pictures of the southwestern landscape - it really brings things to life. Also recommend reading about the history and beliefs of the southwestern American Indians - it does provide a lot of good information and allows one to better understand their lifeways.
I recommend reading these books with pictures of the southwestern landscape - it really brings things to life. Also recommend reading about the history and beliefs of the southwestern American Indians - it does provide a lot of good information and allows one to better understand their lifeways.
July 14, 2010
5/15 Finished People of Darkness and enjoyed it. Hillerman's books are sometimes slow to start but pick up well.
7/14 Finished all three, and although I enjoyed them I think I like the mysteries with Leaphorn in them better. Of these three, The Dark Wind was my favorite. The Ghost Way went slower than the others, maybe because I had to sort of read it piecemeal because of being in the middle of moving.
7/14 Finished all three, and although I enjoyed them I think I like the mysteries with Leaphorn in them better. Of these three, The Dark Wind was my favorite. The Ghost Way went slower than the others, maybe because I had to sort of read it piecemeal because of being in the middle of moving.
December 28, 2013
I usually don’t like these anthologies--I get tired of the same characters and types of stories. However, I really enjoyed these. Chee is an interesting character and the information about Navajo and Hopi culture and religion is great. These aren’t really mysteries in the traditional sense--yes, there are murders, but there are other crimes at the root like mob hits and drug running. I think Ghostway was the best.
July 31, 2017
3 books on Jim Chee, a Navajo. I liked the first two books but it got a little tiring. He, the author, spent an inordinate time describing how he went and the miles travelled, their were many mentions of witches, descriptions of clans, and many, many Indian names. Too much after reading 3 books. This was not enjoyable.
August 21, 2008
I am re-reading the entire Tony Hillerman series in preparation for my October trip. Some books are stronger than others but, taken together, they give one a marvelous sense of the Four Corners country and of Navaho culture and religion.
May 26, 2011
All three of these were outstanding--The Dark Wind had the best mystery, but the other two had more personal takes of Chee. The Navajo are endlessly fascinating and Chee's methods of observation leave folk like me in the dust. Good stuff.
March 5, 2016
Mysteries set in the 4-corners region of the Southwest. The author is really good in bringing in elements of the Navajo "religion", blending it with beautiful descriptions of the landscape and for good measure throwing in murders with a numbers of twists.
November 29, 2007
another great Hillerman book
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October 15, 2008M Hil
September 18, 2010
Jim Chee novels are always good. What's amazing is that they are consistently good, and the writing is well done. Reading them I feel as though I am transported to a very different culture.
September 23, 2013
Only 40 pages into this and already I know this is the quality of writing and story I expected. Hillerman was one of the best at this genre.
June 6, 2016
Entertaining, mostly brain candy. The way the author discusses the Navajo people is very vivid and gave me a different perspective on their way of life.
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January 14, 2017Three great works of mystery in one book, great introduction to this author
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews