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Reservations
DEATH STALKS THE RES
Who – or what – is killing members of the Navajo tribe? RESERVATIONS, the first book of the Jack Del Rio political mystery/thriller series, is set near Gallup, New Mexico, where the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni reservations lie adjacent. Three tribal leaders have been murdered - murdered in a fashion that suggests the deeds were carried out by COYOTE, a legendary supernatural evil trickster feared by many Native Americans.
The tribal president contacts an old friend in the FBI for assistance in solving the crimes and preventing more murders. Star agent, Jack Del Rio, is dispatched to New Mexico where he finds a situation tangled in political intrigue. Jack must work his way through those issues on his way to solving the mystery. Sparks fly as Navajo police officer Lucy Chee is assigned to assist him in his quest.
Question is can Del Rio and Chee solve the mystery and find the killer before he strikes again? Because the killer is on the hunt and he has his sights on Del Rio himself.
Who – or what – is killing members of the Navajo tribe? RESERVATIONS, the first book of the Jack Del Rio political mystery/thriller series, is set near Gallup, New Mexico, where the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni reservations lie adjacent. Three tribal leaders have been murdered - murdered in a fashion that suggests the deeds were carried out by COYOTE, a legendary supernatural evil trickster feared by many Native Americans.
The tribal president contacts an old friend in the FBI for assistance in solving the crimes and preventing more murders. Star agent, Jack Del Rio, is dispatched to New Mexico where he finds a situation tangled in political intrigue. Jack must work his way through those issues on his way to solving the mystery. Sparks fly as Navajo police officer Lucy Chee is assigned to assist him in his quest.
Question is can Del Rio and Chee solve the mystery and find the killer before he strikes again? Because the killer is on the hunt and he has his sights on Del Rio himself.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2015
47 people are currently reading
276 people want to read
About the author
Richard Paolinelli
84 books68 followersFacebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
Richard Paolinelli began his writing career as a freelance writer in 1984 in Odessa, TX and gained his first fiction credit serving as the lead writer for the first two issues of the Elite Comics sci-fi/fantasy series, Seadragon. In 1991 Richard began his sports writing career at the Gallup Independent before moving on to work for the Modesto Bee, Turlock Journal, Merced Sun-Star, Tracy Press, San Mateo County Times and the San Francisco Examiner. He also served as an editor and photographer with some of the newspapers. He won the 2001 California Newspaper Publishers Association award for Best Sports Story while at the Turlock Journal.
In 2010, Richard retired as a sportswriter and decided to return to his fiction writing roots. He released two short stories - The Invited and Legacy of Death - as well as a full-length sci-fi novel, Maelstrom. In 2015, Richard completed nearly two years of research and interviews and published, From The Fields: A History of Prep Football in Turlock, California, chronicling 95 years of high school football in his hometown. One month later, the first book of the Jack Del Rio series, Reservations, was published by Oak Tree Press.
In 2016, Richard was one of a dozen authors selected to participate in, Beyond Watson, an anthology of original Sherlock Holmes stories and was one of 20 writers involved in a second Holmes Anthology, Holmes Away From Home, released in December. Perfection's Arbiter, a biography of National League Umpire, Babe Pinelli, was released on October 8th. W & B Books acquired the Jack Del Rio series and released the second book, Betrayals, in November. The remaining two books in the Jack Del Rio series will follow in 2017 & 2018.
In January of 2017, Richard returned to his science fiction roots with the release of the novel, Escaping Infinity, and will release another sci-fi novel, When The Gods Fell, on September 4, 2018.
Richard Paolinelli began his writing career as a freelance writer in 1984 in Odessa, TX and gained his first fiction credit serving as the lead writer for the first two issues of the Elite Comics sci-fi/fantasy series, Seadragon. In 1991 Richard began his sports writing career at the Gallup Independent before moving on to work for the Modesto Bee, Turlock Journal, Merced Sun-Star, Tracy Press, San Mateo County Times and the San Francisco Examiner. He also served as an editor and photographer with some of the newspapers. He won the 2001 California Newspaper Publishers Association award for Best Sports Story while at the Turlock Journal.
In 2010, Richard retired as a sportswriter and decided to return to his fiction writing roots. He released two short stories - The Invited and Legacy of Death - as well as a full-length sci-fi novel, Maelstrom. In 2015, Richard completed nearly two years of research and interviews and published, From The Fields: A History of Prep Football in Turlock, California, chronicling 95 years of high school football in his hometown. One month later, the first book of the Jack Del Rio series, Reservations, was published by Oak Tree Press.
In 2016, Richard was one of a dozen authors selected to participate in, Beyond Watson, an anthology of original Sherlock Holmes stories and was one of 20 writers involved in a second Holmes Anthology, Holmes Away From Home, released in December. Perfection's Arbiter, a biography of National League Umpire, Babe Pinelli, was released on October 8th. W & B Books acquired the Jack Del Rio series and released the second book, Betrayals, in November. The remaining two books in the Jack Del Rio series will follow in 2017 & 2018.
In January of 2017, Richard returned to his science fiction roots with the release of the novel, Escaping Infinity, and will release another sci-fi novel, When The Gods Fell, on September 4, 2018.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 8, 2022
Reservations
by Richard Paolinelli
For Creative Edge Publicity
The author has a great respect for Native American Culture. He uses his character Jack Del Rio to show the differences between modern American culture and Reservation culture of the southwest. Jack is respectful and attempts to understanding the culture of the Navajo, Hopi, and Pueblo reservation. Using native mythos to enhance the fear and repugnance of a serial killer. Jack is a remarkably understanding FBI agent sent to figure out phenomenal serial murders of the tribal leadership. He finds piece by piece the information that allows him to catch the killer. The greatest difficulty is the cultural divide between himself and the NNPD, and the tribal leaders. They both do not trust each other, making the situation even more dangerous to the remaining leaders, and the agent himself. The mythos, has been used by the killer to frighten both his tribal neighbors, and the political elements that surround him.
by Richard Paolinelli
For Creative Edge Publicity
The author has a great respect for Native American Culture. He uses his character Jack Del Rio to show the differences between modern American culture and Reservation culture of the southwest. Jack is respectful and attempts to understanding the culture of the Navajo, Hopi, and Pueblo reservation. Using native mythos to enhance the fear and repugnance of a serial killer. Jack is a remarkably understanding FBI agent sent to figure out phenomenal serial murders of the tribal leadership. He finds piece by piece the information that allows him to catch the killer. The greatest difficulty is the cultural divide between himself and the NNPD, and the tribal leaders. They both do not trust each other, making the situation even more dangerous to the remaining leaders, and the agent himself. The mythos, has been used by the killer to frighten both his tribal neighbors, and the political elements that surround him.
May 2, 2019
Reservations depicts the southwest and respective nations well.
I needed a book to read and Reservations sounded okay. I ended up reading this book in one setting. Absolutely spot on to the descriptions of the southwest. The development of the main character is swift yet every chapter gave him more depth. There are many twists and turns in the book. I just finished about half hour ago. I have already suggest this book to two people. Excellent read.
I needed a book to read and Reservations sounded okay. I ended up reading this book in one setting. Absolutely spot on to the descriptions of the southwest. The development of the main character is swift yet every chapter gave him more depth. There are many twists and turns in the book. I just finished about half hour ago. I have already suggest this book to two people. Excellent read.
June 23, 2019
This was an exciting read. The history, culture, and background of the setting are fascinating. The author put me right into the Dene nation. I related to the characters and was fascinated to find out what would happen next. It did bother me a little that there were far more male characters than female, yet a much higher deathrate for female characters. From the (admittedly few) thrillers I've read, this seems typical for the genre though.
April 28, 2019
This is an excellent story. Jack, along with Lucy his NNPD partner are called upon to find a killer that is operating in the Navajo region. The killings leave no real clues, so it is incumbent on Jack to relook at each of the scenes and find something that might have been missed.
He has been able to narrow the suspects to 5 individuals, but based on further review he feels it is one of two individuals. Upon receipt of information from the Phoenix FBI Lab, he identified the killer.
The conclusion of the investigation was explosive, but also said.
I recommend this to anyone who likes stories that keep you guessing.
He has been able to narrow the suspects to 5 individuals, but based on further review he feels it is one of two individuals. Upon receipt of information from the Phoenix FBI Lab, he identified the killer.
The conclusion of the investigation was explosive, but also said.
I recommend this to anyone who likes stories that keep you guessing.
September 4, 2019
Great read for crime fiction fans
I found the Native American folklore angle to this story interesting. If you are a fan of James Bond and those like him I think you will enjoy these books.
I found the Native American folklore angle to this story interesting. If you are a fan of James Bond and those like him I think you will enjoy these books.
June 7, 2020
Jack and Lucy called into the Navajo reservation after a killing of tribal leaders. The author did a good job of bringing Gallop, New México and the culture of these people in a good story. The audio added to this story and enjoyed. Given audio for my voluntary review and my voluntary review review
October 3, 2017
This was an incredible read --- took me less than 8 hours to read and had absolutely everything: serial killer, murder, mystery, Native Indian history, FBI, Police procedure --- a perfect read well written, with a GREAT plot!! It made me angry, happy – even cried and the ending was a happy one knowing that something good was to follow! I’m really eagerly looking forward to reading the next in this series
Currently reading
March 27, 2020Silver Empire 99
May 18, 2019
A story where the Native American reservations and the police are sort of connected together due to death in each of them, So Chee an officer and Del Rio who they brought in from the FBI to find who was doing these murder and why. They eventually started to get closer to each other. They had about 5 suspects and tried to narrow it down to just one. Lots of people said they seen a coyote when a murder was committed. It was more involved then they thought. Lots going on in the end.
May 1, 2019
A One Person Book
The FBI agent sent to the Navajo Nation to solve murders among its leaders is the outstanding character in the book. Savy, organized, and with a gift for quickly sizing up a situation, in a notable faceoff, he is able to outsmart his wily opponent and solve the numerous murders. The book is easy to read and holds one's attention with lots of action.
The FBI agent sent to the Navajo Nation to solve murders among its leaders is the outstanding character in the book. Savy, organized, and with a gift for quickly sizing up a situation, in a notable faceoff, he is able to outsmart his wily opponent and solve the numerous murders. The book is easy to read and holds one's attention with lots of action.
July 7, 2019
Great story
This was a very exciting story from beginning till the end. Found on FreeBooksy, it was a real treat
The only reason it's only getting 4 of 5 stars is the lack of editing, in some spots the lack of punctuation was so severe that I had to re-read the paragraph in order to decipher it.
This was a very exciting story from beginning till the end. Found on FreeBooksy, it was a real treat
The only reason it's only getting 4 of 5 stars is the lack of editing, in some spots the lack of punctuation was so severe that I had to re-read the paragraph in order to decipher it.
October 6, 2017
A bit of Tony Hillerman mixed with Jon Land. Good story.
November 30, 2017
Good storyteller
A very good lead-in to what promises to be an engaging series. I enjoyed this first book and will buy the next. I can't say that about all the series I start.
A very good lead-in to what promises to be an engaging series. I enjoyed this first book and will buy the next. I can't say that about all the series I start.
April 15, 2018
Fast Paced good characters
Great story,well researched with respect to the people of The Indian Nations. Del Rio is a balanced lead - not too superhuman.
Great story,well researched with respect to the people of The Indian Nations. Del Rio is a balanced lead - not too superhuman.
May 12, 2019
Good
This book is one where one young FIB agent goes to the four corners in the South West where the Indian nations have reservations.
This book is one where one young FIB agent goes to the four corners in the South West where the Indian nations have reservations.
June 3, 2019
Wonderful story
I had a difficult time putting this book down. The characters, especially the main one, were alive as you read this story.
I had a difficult time putting this book down. The characters, especially the main one, were alive as you read this story.
November 11, 2016
★★★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
So, the President of the Navajo Nation, Ben Yazzie, isn't ending the year/beginning the second year in office the way he wanted: three members of the tribal council have died under what can only be charitably called suspicious circumstances. He's pretty convinced that he's next on the list, so he calls in the cavalry (forgive the reference) via an old friend in the FBI. The old friend assigns a hot-shot young agent with a knack for saving heads of state, Jack Del Rio.
Del Rio is paired up with a reservation police officer, Lucy Chee. The two of them click almost immediately on a professional level and progress through the tangled political, personal and historical web that surrounds these murders. I enjoyed their teamwork, their banter and friendship. I liked almost every character -- even the ones we only met for a scene. I could've used a little more time with Yazzie, honestly -- although I'm not sure there was room for it. Chee and Del Rio, of course, I liked the best -- they were very well-developed and interesting.
I had a few problems with the book -- Paolinelli could trust his readers a bit more, his character's jokes would land better if he didn't go out of his way to make sure we knew they were jokes. The prose could be a leaner, just a touch, but he doesn't need to use quite as many words as he does (see the joke observation). I think his pacing could be better -- he spends too much time establishing the mystery and Del Rio independently at the beginning of the novel -- 1 chapter there, 1 chapter here -- it takes no time to figure out that Del Rio's going to be called in to investigate things (even without reading the book's blurb), and then I just got impatient with the intervening material until he actually hops on a plane. I'm sure Paolinelli had his reasons for it, I just don't think it worked as well as he may have wished.
Between just listening to Hearne's Tricked and being knee-deep in the latest season of Longmire, I was primed for this story about the Diné and reservation politics -- and Paolinelli nailed it. At least it seems like he did to someone who's contact with both is from a a decent share of fiction over the years, so pick the size of your salt grain to take with that. But the mix of Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, US cultures was well-balanced and fun.
Great final confrontation between our heroes and the villain -- I can't tell you all the reasons I liked it without ruining it, but for people who like thrillers/detective novels, I can assure you that there's more than enough reasons to like it.
The second Del Rio novel, Betrayals is out now, and I look forward to getting it. But we're talking about Reservations now, and I give this a solid recommendation for fans of the genre or non-fans wanting something different.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions -- and I really appreciate it.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
So, the President of the Navajo Nation, Ben Yazzie, isn't ending the year/beginning the second year in office the way he wanted: three members of the tribal council have died under what can only be charitably called suspicious circumstances. He's pretty convinced that he's next on the list, so he calls in the cavalry (forgive the reference) via an old friend in the FBI. The old friend assigns a hot-shot young agent with a knack for saving heads of state, Jack Del Rio.
Del Rio is paired up with a reservation police officer, Lucy Chee. The two of them click almost immediately on a professional level and progress through the tangled political, personal and historical web that surrounds these murders. I enjoyed their teamwork, their banter and friendship. I liked almost every character -- even the ones we only met for a scene. I could've used a little more time with Yazzie, honestly -- although I'm not sure there was room for it. Chee and Del Rio, of course, I liked the best -- they were very well-developed and interesting.
I had a few problems with the book -- Paolinelli could trust his readers a bit more, his character's jokes would land better if he didn't go out of his way to make sure we knew they were jokes. The prose could be a leaner, just a touch, but he doesn't need to use quite as many words as he does (see the joke observation). I think his pacing could be better -- he spends too much time establishing the mystery and Del Rio independently at the beginning of the novel -- 1 chapter there, 1 chapter here -- it takes no time to figure out that Del Rio's going to be called in to investigate things (even without reading the book's blurb), and then I just got impatient with the intervening material until he actually hops on a plane. I'm sure Paolinelli had his reasons for it, I just don't think it worked as well as he may have wished.
Between just listening to Hearne's Tricked and being knee-deep in the latest season of Longmire, I was primed for this story about the Diné and reservation politics -- and Paolinelli nailed it. At least it seems like he did to someone who's contact with both is from a a decent share of fiction over the years, so pick the size of your salt grain to take with that. But the mix of Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, US cultures was well-balanced and fun.
Great final confrontation between our heroes and the villain -- I can't tell you all the reasons I liked it without ruining it, but for people who like thrillers/detective novels, I can assure you that there's more than enough reasons to like it.
The second Del Rio novel, Betrayals is out now, and I look forward to getting it. But we're talking about Reservations now, and I give this a solid recommendation for fans of the genre or non-fans wanting something different.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinions -- and I really appreciate it.
April 24, 2017
I was given a free readers copy to review, and I am really thankful I had the chance to read it. I really enjoyed it. There was a lot of depth to the characters, and an underlying story that makes you want to read the next adventure of Jack Del Rio.
To me, Jack Del Rio is a Bond type, or a character you might see as an investigator on Criminal Minds. While I am not as well versed as an officer in the ins and outs of detective work, I am an Alumni of the Citizens Police Academy and have had some training in police and detective work. I thought his characters were believable, and I enjoyed seeing them in action.
I am definitely giving this book five stars!
To me, Jack Del Rio is a Bond type, or a character you might see as an investigator on Criminal Minds. While I am not as well versed as an officer in the ins and outs of detective work, I am an Alumni of the Citizens Police Academy and have had some training in police and detective work. I thought his characters were believable, and I enjoyed seeing them in action.
I am definitely giving this book five stars!
October 15, 2015
Not knowing the complexities of crime solving on Indian Reservations made this a most compelling read. Not only do you have a serial killer on the loose, taking out the tribal leaders, but it is taking place within their territory. How would the US government handle it? What jurisdiction and what laws would apply? Richard Paolinelli did a remarkable job with research and technique. I am most impressed. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes a fast=paced thriller with lots to learn from.
— CJ Loiacono
— CJ Loiacono
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews