People of Darkness (Jim Chee Novels)

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 to 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 near buy. In People of darkness he picks up a Lota Burger and I have eaten a few of them my self. In future books we will be introduced to the Navaho Taco. For the anthropologist in us he describes many sings and ways.


Brilliant   September 5, 1999
 3 out of 6 found this review helpful

This book is my favourite of all of Tony Hillerman's work.

The plot is perfect,it is full of action and the landscape is fabulous .


This book is not just a mystery.   October 29, 1998
 4 out of 6 found this review helpful

The book is a story of a murder. The story is about a policeman, Jim Chee,who is Navajo and shows the reader into the life on the Navajo reservation. It is a great book which keeps you reading not only to find out about the mystery but to understand Jim Chee's views on the world of the Navajo and the world of the White Man.