Hunting Badger (utgåvan 1999)

Critical but probably true how different branches of law enforcement really do not have a lot of respect for each other. Liked how the political verses the Native cultures played a part in the story. Interesting how a Ute Indian story was used to solve a crime. Not near as much love interests as his earlier books. ( )

Amazon Description: Three men raid the gambling casino run by the Ute nation and then disappear into the maze of canyons on the Utah-Arizona border. When the FBI, with its helicopters and high-tech equipment, focuses on a wounded deputy sheriff as a possible suspect, Navajo Tribal Police Sergeant Jim Chee and his longtime colleague, retired Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, launch an investigation of their own. Chee sees a dangerous flaw in the federal theory; Leaphorn sees intriguing connections to the exploits of a legendary Ute bandit-hero. And together, they find themselves caught up in the most perplexing -- and deadly -- criminal manhunt of their lives.
Leaphorn and Chee combine to solve a mystery. Great characters, great story. I love how the threads of Indian legends are woven into the fabric of the story. ( )

Chee relies on the retired Leaphorn quite heavily. Not sure that was plausible although Hillerman's portrayal of Leaphorn is always enjoyable. Intriguing twists to the plot although a repetitive theme of criminals hiding out in the labyrinth of arroyos and canyons is getting old. Bernie Manuelito is developing as an interesting, multi-dimensional character. Sam Nakai's death (Chee's maternal uncle) was passed over too lightly, considering Hosteen Nakai's influence on Chee. ( )

A better-than-usual entry in this series, probably because there's a large focus on Leaphorn and less on Chee and his hopeless romantic entanglements. When a policeman is shot in the course of a casino robbery, the ensuing manhunt brings dread to the minds of the Navajo Tribal Police who remember an earlier snafu involving the FBI and a botched search of Indian country in search of possible eco-terrorists. As always, the insights into Navajo culture are the highlights of the book. ( )

As usual, I enjoyed Tony Hillerman's characters in [Hunting Badger]. Leaphorn and Chee are together again, this time solving a casino robbery. Once again, they must help the FBI solve the case. An enjoyable quick detective read and I liked the evolution of their friendship.

My Kindle edition had a lot of information at the end about Hillerman, his writing style and motivation, how he grew up and more. I enjoyed learning that he never envisioned Leaphorn and Chee working together until one of his fans asked why had had changed Leaphorn's name to Chee? She couldn't tell them apart. So Hillerman put them together so that he could prove (to himself!) that they were different individuals.

Hillerman: "I am sure there are writers self-confidant enough to forget this. What does this old babe know? But that was not for me. Like what St. Paul called his 'thorn in the flesh,' it wouldn't go away. I decided to put both characters in the same book to settle the issue for myself. It tried it in [Skinwalkers] (1986). It worked so well I tried it again in [A Thief of Time] (1988). Hurrah! It was the breakout book!"

All due to a confused fan. LOL ( )