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DeadFall: A Navajo Nation Mystery
NEWLY RVISED AND EDITED.“The Past is another country. They do things differently there.” DEADFALL—Stand alone book #12 in Chappell’s Navajo Nation Mystery series tracks Charlie Yazzie, Thomas Begay, and Harley Ponyboy into unfamiliar territory. When a family member unexpectedly dies, a debilitating sense of loss overcomes our friends on the reservation. The ties that have bound them begin to unravel. What witch’s evil is at work? Is the bond forever broken? Or is there a connection to the ancient past that might bring this malevolent aura to an end?Sequel to the Amazon best seller "Wolves of Winter" the continuing story of the Anasazi Swallow Clan's effort to escape their destiny on the Colorado Plateau. Thomas Begay's son Caleb comes under the mystical spell of the ancient people, seeming to channel their desperate migration to a new home. Family members look on and fear for his sanity. Meanwhile, Harley Ponyboy's new wife Celia is targeted by a forgotten ex-husband who has murdered once and might again. Thomas and Harley set out to corral the killer but are in for a surprise that no one saw coming. Such is the continuing saga of life on the Dinétah....“Those three down there... They are no older than us. Yet they are anxious to prove themselves by taking our hair.” He unslings the bow at his back and declares. “I will not run from such as these mongrels. They are not better than us. We will teach all of them a lesson at the same time. One none of them will soon forget."The younger boy cautiously looks down to the river, then licking his lips, asks nervously, “How do you propose we go about that, cousin? They outnumber us and are fresh and well fed, while we are already tired and have had little to eat.”“Ah, but we have lived all our lives in the cliffs. Our people are famous climbers. It is what we do. We have been preparing for this day since we were born.” He smiles, noting, “Not having eaten will leave us in better wind and more agile for the climb back up.” ...
- GenresMystery
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2022
573 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
About the author
R. Allen Chappell
19 books149 followersR. Allen Chappell, the author of eight novels and a collection of short stories, grew up with the Navajo, went to school with them and later worked alongside them, forging enduring friendships along the way. "Those friendships," the author says, "became the inspiration for this series."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
May 28, 2022
Not up to standards.
I have loved the series but this one really suffered from the lack of an editor. It was as if a draft was published rather than the finished product. Fragmented sentences, punctuation errors, and other grammatical issues distracted from the read. Thin plot, no action. Looking forward to the next installment with these problems addressed!
I have loved the series but this one really suffered from the lack of an editor. It was as if a draft was published rather than the finished product. Fragmented sentences, punctuation errors, and other grammatical issues distracted from the read. Thin plot, no action. Looking forward to the next installment with these problems addressed!
August 25, 2023
I always enjoy these novels, but the author really needs a copy editor.
June 3, 2022
R. Allen Chappell’s Navajo Nation Mystery series is one of my favorites. But “Deadfall” is a rare disappointment. Early books could be rough, but the tales grew in interest and power, in part because of the breakout character of Harley Ponyboy.
“Deadfall” presents a Ponyboy narrative dominated by his new wife and her former husband, but also a sequence of chapters set in the same region of the southwest a thousand years earlier, the native people of the time dealing with relentless drought. The book is ambitious and occasionally moving, but I found the connection between its storylines tenuous. Still, despite mechanical slips, there’s much to enjoy in Chappell’s style and in the memorable characters he creates. I look forward to the next book, grateful for the series.
“Deadfall” presents a Ponyboy narrative dominated by his new wife and her former husband, but also a sequence of chapters set in the same region of the southwest a thousand years earlier, the native people of the time dealing with relentless drought. The book is ambitious and occasionally moving, but I found the connection between its storylines tenuous. Still, despite mechanical slips, there’s much to enjoy in Chappell’s style and in the memorable characters he creates. I look forward to the next book, grateful for the series.
June 8, 2022
I really enjoy this series. I feel like the author has an interest in both the past and present of the Navajo and the 4-corners area (as do I), and really makes an effort to make the stories real and true to the culture. I eagerly look forward to each next installment.
The editing is absolutely abominable (jumping tense, possessive apostrophes in the wrong place, etc.) --- and nearly sinks the ship. Mr. Chappell, if you're reading this, get in touch - I'll do your next edit for free.
The editing is absolutely abominable (jumping tense, possessive apostrophes in the wrong place, etc.) --- and nearly sinks the ship. Mr. Chappell, if you're reading this, get in touch - I'll do your next edit for free.
nope-dnf
August 17, 2023I had been enjoying this series up until Book 10. These past few installments have been a slog and I can't even get myself to finish this one. The series really jumped the shark when Harley Ponyboy discovered he had a son by an unrequited crush/all around shitty person/murderer, who used him and, I guess, used him for apparently more than just money and a place to crash! I thought this son thing was ridiculous. I never got any hint that those two characters slept together. The book kept making it clear Harley slept on the couch and the woman had nothing but contempt for him, so I don't know if that was simply a setup for this big shock of a secret kid. It was just a huge let down. On top of that, his kid is an annoying brat turd and Harley ended up killing his baby mama so freaking casually? Ugh. I'm done with these books.
TLDR: I think the series isn't as good and interesting as it once was. These recent stories seem tired and lack the charm they once had. Mojado was the high point and the other books can't quite live up to it. DNF
TLDR: I think the series isn't as good and interesting as it once was. These recent stories seem tired and lack the charm they once had. Mojado was the high point and the other books can't quite live up to it. DNF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2025
Kindle Unlimited
We spend some time with the Navajo almost a thousand years ago in 1084 during their battles with the much larger and more sophisticated northern native american invasion into their homeland, but in our time with our friends on the Reservation during the 1950s-1960s, we have most of our regulars and a bird's eye look into the heart and soul of Tommy's oldest son, Caleb, now an interesting young man in his own right. There is also more insight into archeologist/anthropologist/geneologist G.A. Custer than usual, and our folk spend much time on his latest dig in their isolated mountains. Chappell ties together the highs and lows of both time frames very well. Altogether, an awesome tale told very well. I cannot recommend this series highly enough. R. Allen Chappell knows these people, this land, like the palm of his hand, and he shares with us that knowing.
REVIEWED on February 3, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
We spend some time with the Navajo almost a thousand years ago in 1084 during their battles with the much larger and more sophisticated northern native american invasion into their homeland, but in our time with our friends on the Reservation during the 1950s-1960s, we have most of our regulars and a bird's eye look into the heart and soul of Tommy's oldest son, Caleb, now an interesting young man in his own right. There is also more insight into archeologist/anthropologist/geneologist G.A. Custer than usual, and our folk spend much time on his latest dig in their isolated mountains. Chappell ties together the highs and lows of both time frames very well. Altogether, an awesome tale told very well. I cannot recommend this series highly enough. R. Allen Chappell knows these people, this land, like the palm of his hand, and he shares with us that knowing.
REVIEWED on February 3, 2025, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
January 13, 2023
Good book. It was a good ending to the series.
Thank you Irina Goldberg!!!
Thank you Irina Goldberg!!!
May 25, 2022
Interesting
Although interesting and informative, this author chooses more of a “telling” style, than “showing”. It borders on a non-fiction narrative. Some of the characters are easy to engage with but telling information often overshadows the flow. I also feel much of the spirituality of the culture is not represented. An interesting read, yes, page turning, not so much.
Although interesting and informative, this author chooses more of a “telling” style, than “showing”. It borders on a non-fiction narrative. Some of the characters are easy to engage with but telling information often overshadows the flow. I also feel much of the spirituality of the culture is not represented. An interesting read, yes, page turning, not so much.
June 10, 2022
Review of this book.
Another well written book. Full of adventure, drama and knowledge of the Navajo people. I loved reading about the people and learning about their culture and beliefs. The story was fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable. Reading about their ancestors trials and hardships added a whole new level to the book. The accounts of their ancestors was based on archeological studies of their migration as they moved to find better areas to sustain their people. The stories about the drama of the present day people was excellent. The main characters are also found in other books by the author and you get to know them quite well. The back of the book has a list of the Navajo words and their meanings which makes the book more interesting to the person reading the book.
Another well written book. Full of adventure, drama and knowledge of the Navajo people. I loved reading about the people and learning about their culture and beliefs. The story was fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable. Reading about their ancestors trials and hardships added a whole new level to the book. The accounts of their ancestors was based on archeological studies of their migration as they moved to find better areas to sustain their people. The stories about the drama of the present day people was excellent. The main characters are also found in other books by the author and you get to know them quite well. The back of the book has a list of the Navajo words and their meanings which makes the book more interesting to the person reading the book.
June 9, 2022
I am a fan of R Allen Chappell and have really enjoyed all his past books, but I was disappointed in DeadFall. The book, to me, should have been two books. The usual main characters were seen only slightly, and I really have enjoyed the three working together on a problem, and I didn’t see this. The second part of the book about the Indian band was very good and I could see this widened into a full book. You could see that R Allen put a lot of work into the book and did a lot of research but to me the two plots together just didn’t do either one justice. I will of course continue to read R Allen Chappell’s books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2025
I enjoy this series because of the history and cultural aspects of the Navajo that Chappell weaves into his mysteries. This one was more history than mystery, with dual plot lines between the 1000's A.D. and the present.
Chappell offers an interesting theory on why so many ancient cliff dwellings were abruptly abandoned, and some even later re-occupied.
The storyline in the present revolving around Ponyboy, Charlie Yazzie and Thomas Begay was a little thin this time, but still entertaining, and is connected to the story in the past.
I always look forward to the next book in this series.
Chappell offers an interesting theory on why so many ancient cliff dwellings were abruptly abandoned, and some even later re-occupied.
The storyline in the present revolving around Ponyboy, Charlie Yazzie and Thomas Begay was a little thin this time, but still entertaining, and is connected to the story in the past.
I always look forward to the next book in this series.
July 2, 2022
Fragility of culture : Survival is a matter of luck and skill
I enjoyed the author's technique of weaving a 1000 year old exciting and dangerous migratory story to the archeological finds of a professor who has hired descendents of those migratory people. As w all cultures, the survival of a culture turns on a key leader or a key event -and perhaps even events during modern times may be affected by how well the current descendents follow the lessons learned by the 1000 year old culture that was able to survive.
I enjoyed the author's technique of weaving a 1000 year old exciting and dangerous migratory story to the archeological finds of a professor who has hired descendents of those migratory people. As w all cultures, the survival of a culture turns on a key leader or a key event -and perhaps even events during modern times may be affected by how well the current descendents follow the lessons learned by the 1000 year old culture that was able to survive.
October 6, 2022
Oops! I'm Done
I have enjoyed every one the books in this series. If there is anything I didn't like about this one it's that I was reading along putting out theories about what might happen next, when I found abruptly found myself at the end of the book. I guess the book leaves you set up for the next in the series coma but I was ready to keep going. Can't wait for the next one!
I have enjoyed every one the books in this series. If there is anything I didn't like about this one it's that I was reading along putting out theories about what might happen next, when I found abruptly found myself at the end of the book. I guess the book leaves you set up for the next in the series coma but I was ready to keep going. Can't wait for the next one!
December 20, 2024
Dead Fall is the 12th book in A Navajo Nation Mystery Series. We have our favorite people in this story helping on a dig we see Harley and Thomas heading out to find Albert Nez who is wanted. This book also gives some background on the exodus of the people and how they came from the north to settle in the region. Interesting but at times I had to really push through some sections. While I liked this book, I didn't love it.
August 14, 2025
crossing of the path of ancient and modern ones
A modern and ancient look at the Navaho culture. It gives a good atmosphere of Old and new people, as well as good and bad folks. There is a theme of justice being done. This story fits well into díne locale. The author describes the pack and ride horse expedition well. It’s an enjoyable tale that has an authentic and engaging flavor.
A modern and ancient look at the Navaho culture. It gives a good atmosphere of Old and new people, as well as good and bad folks. There is a theme of justice being done. This story fits well into díne locale. The author describes the pack and ride horse expedition well. It’s an enjoyable tale that has an authentic and engaging flavor.
September 23, 2025
Another excellent adventure
I really like the archeological digs and the parallel story of 1000 years previous. The previous thousand years of the past is the archeological dig of the present. The parallel stories really add an addition to resolving the mystery supporting the dig.
Wonderful written entertainment. I hope you enjoy R. Allen Chappell 's storytelling genius as much as I do.
I really like the archeological digs and the parallel story of 1000 years previous. The previous thousand years of the past is the archeological dig of the present. The parallel stories really add an addition to resolving the mystery supporting the dig.
Wonderful written entertainment. I hope you enjoy R. Allen Chappell 's storytelling genius as much as I do.
September 24, 2025
Interesting juxtaposition
The usual cast of characters are involved in an archaeological dig of an ancient site of the Navajo peoples. The story follows both the modern dig and the story of ancient peoples migration and survival, telling the real ancient events and the modern day interpretation of the artifacts. Of course Mr. Ponyboy is once again involved in some hijinks by his relatives.
The usual cast of characters are involved in an archaeological dig of an ancient site of the Navajo peoples. The story follows both the modern dig and the story of ancient peoples migration and survival, telling the real ancient events and the modern day interpretation of the artifacts. Of course Mr. Ponyboy is once again involved in some hijinks by his relatives.
May 28, 2022
The story continues
I have enjoyed following the continuing story of Charlie Yazzie, Thomas Begay, and Harley Ponyboy. The characters are likeable, the setting described vividly, and a good description of culture and history is thrown in. This is an enjoyable story. Mr. Chappell, please continue writing this series.
I have enjoyed following the continuing story of Charlie Yazzie, Thomas Begay, and Harley Ponyboy. The characters are likeable, the setting described vividly, and a good description of culture and history is thrown in. This is an enjoyable story. Mr. Chappell, please continue writing this series.
May 31, 2022
One of his best
Love the this book was written. He brought past and present together. I. Always like I am in the plot watching first hand. I would recommend
This book to everyone. I hope Mr. Chappell does not end this series. I will really miss the next adventures.
T
E
Love the this book was written. He brought past and present together. I. Always like I am in the plot watching first hand. I would recommend
This book to everyone. I hope Mr. Chappell does not end this series. I will really miss the next adventures.
T
E
July 17, 2022
Thrilling
Deadfall appears to be the final story in the Navajo Nation Mysteries. It is superbly written, just all the others. Chappell creates a whole Navajo world in the series. Each book whets your taste for more. He provides amazing insight to the Navajo nature and customs, all wrapped in some thrilling stories. A must read series of books!
Deadfall appears to be the final story in the Navajo Nation Mysteries. It is superbly written, just all the others. Chappell creates a whole Navajo world in the series. Each book whets your taste for more. He provides amazing insight to the Navajo nature and customs, all wrapped in some thrilling stories. A must read series of books!
February 27, 2023
I really enjoy this series, it's characters, the setting and the historical background of the Navajo people and traditions. It begins with Harley marrying Celia and threats from her ex-husband. Then Harley, Charlie and Thomas and his son go off with the professor to help with an archaeological dig. A sub-plot parallels the migration of an early Navajo tribe with the dig site they are excavating.
October 16, 2023
Excellent
The author has given us another perspective on the history of the early settler tribe. This gives depth to the current story. I love seeing what and who has been discovered by archeologists. I will be moving onto the next book in the series. Very well written .!
The author has given us another perspective on the history of the early settler tribe. This gives depth to the current story. I love seeing what and who has been discovered by archeologists. I will be moving onto the next book in the series. Very well written .!
May 28, 2022
Another great one
Another great one! I feel like a family member to these people. Chappell does a good job involving us in the story. My only complaint is he doesn't write them fast enough!
Another great one! I feel like a family member to these people. Chappell does a good job involving us in the story. My only complaint is he doesn't write them fast enough!
May 31, 2022
Another wonderful book
I love reading about the Navajo culture. The more books I read from R. Allen Chappell the more I learn of the Navajo's great culture. I can't wait for his next book to come out.
I love reading about the Navajo culture. The more books I read from R. Allen Chappell the more I learn of the Navajo's great culture. I can't wait for his next book to come out.
June 4, 2022
Ok
This one was ok, I didn't enjoy it as much as the others I the series. The others made you wish you knew the characters in the real world. Simple stories, about everyday, decent people.
This one was ok, I didn't enjoy it as much as the others I the series. The others made you wish you knew the characters in the real world. Simple stories, about everyday, decent people.
July 2, 2022
Continued Excellent Story/History of Navajo Tribe
Mr. Chappell weaves a great combination using familiar current characters and mixing in tales of the adventures of ancient people. Particularly using the pottery with small swallows as the identifying point.
Mr. Chappell weaves a great combination using familiar current characters and mixing in tales of the adventures of ancient people. Particularly using the pottery with small swallows as the identifying point.
July 4, 2022
Great Allen Chappell Novel
I greatly enjoyed this book. Mr. Chappell has nicely woven the present day archaeological work with the lives of Anasazi peoples. I find his usual characters to be quite loveable.
I greatly enjoyed this book. Mr. Chappell has nicely woven the present day archaeological work with the lives of Anasazi peoples. I find his usual characters to be quite loveable.
July 7, 2022
Fantastic read
I loved the intertwining of the ancients and the current Navajo. After reading "Wolves of Winter", I was really wanting to hear more about the swallow clan. Excellent read, couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next book.
I loved the intertwining of the ancients and the current Navajo. After reading "Wolves of Winter", I was really wanting to hear more about the swallow clan. Excellent read, couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next book.
August 2, 2022
A Good Quick Read
Chappell weaves two storylines together in this book. The early 11th century ancestors and the modern day archaeology of the early site. A side story in the modern Navajo world rounds out this rendition of the Navajo Nation Mystery series.
Chappell weaves two storylines together in this book. The early 11th century ancestors and the modern day archaeology of the early site. A side story in the modern Navajo world rounds out this rendition of the Navajo Nation Mystery series.
September 1, 2022
I loved the story but the lack of editing made it difficult to read. As a retired English teacher I was appalled at this lack. It is as important to use correct punctuation and verb tense as it is to tell a story. So disappointed!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews