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Thursday, June 06, 2019

Navajo Nation Mysteries by R. Allen Chappell

Navajo Autumn is the first of a series set in the Four Corners region of the American Southwest.  I've been looking for a series set in this region that appeals to me , and R. Allen Chappell has satisfied that longing.  If you have enjoyed Craig Johnson or Tony Hillerman, you might like this series.  

What all three authors have in common is a love of the area they write about, well-developed characters, and intriguing plots.  Johnson's Longmire books are set in Wyoming, Hillerman's Chee & Leaphorn books are set in New Mexico, and Chappell's books are set in the Four Corners reservations of Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Chappell's main characters Charlie Yazzie and Thomas Begay are Navajo, and while both have been to boarding school, Charlie Yazzie went on to earn a law degree, while Thomas Begay stayed on the reservation.  The two were friends in high school, but have gone different ways since.  

When Thomas is discovered drunk next to the dead body of BIA agent Patsy Greyhorse, he is arrested, but escapes.  Charlie needs to find out who is responsible for the murder of  Patsy Greyhorse and for setting Thomas up.

This first in the series does a cracking job of introducing the characters and providing a look at Navaho culture.  The book is relatively short, but doesn't feel that way because the story has a sense of depth and dimension.  

Points for:  good characterization, interesting secondary characters, a visual setting, respectful treatment of  Navaho culture and tradition, and an absorbing plot.

I liked it so much, I immediately moved on to the second book!

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About the author:
R. Allen Chappell, the author of nine novels and a collection of short stories, grew up with the Navajo, went to school with them and later worked alongside--forging enduring friendships along the way. "Those friendships," the author recalls, "became the inspiration for this series." 

Chappell notes, "My writing focuses on the people of the Four Corners region past and present. I tend not to romanticize my characters, preferring instead to paint them as I find them. They have much the same qualities, good and bad, as the rest of us." 





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It is always a pleasure to find the second book in a series as good as the first, and in this case, even better.  Characters from the first book continue to gain substance, and new and engaging characters are added.

In Boy Made of Dawn, Thomas Begay's children have been taken from their mother to assure that she  doesn't testify in the trial of corrupt tribal councilmen.  

Thomas Begay and Charlie Yazzie are also on the list, but the solutions to keeping them from testifying are likely to be fatal.  

New characters to love--Aida, the widow Sally Clee takes shelter with, and Caleb, Thomas' son.

Another appealing thing about this series is that they are not imitations of Craig Johnson or Tony Hillerman.  The style is different and the characters and plots are distinctive.  The similarities lie in each author's love of the areas he writes about. 

I can't wait to read this entire series!






13 comments:

  1. High praise, indeed. I love the Johnson books, not so much Hillerman's for some reason, so I'll have to take a look at these. Is it a long series already? I really like coming to a series late so that I can read the books closer together...more sinks in from book to book that way.

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    1. I think there are 6 or 8 books in the series. :) I'm already on book 3, and enjoying it.

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  2. I love the Four Corners area! I've been there many times. And these books sound like a lot of fun. Wish I'd known about them the last time I headed south on vacation. :D

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    1. Oh, you will recognize some of the locations, Lark! The culture and traditions fascinate me, and the characters and plots are even more interesting as a result of the culture and the setting.

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  3. I've read a handful of the Hillerman books. Definitely learning about the contempt Navajo Nation and its inhabitants was one of the pluses! I rarely remember plots, however. I even read one book twice inadvertently...did notice I had already read it till I was half way through.

    The R. Allen Chappell books really do sound like they will scratch that same itch but also provide a unique reading experience. :)

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    1. Not "contempt" I meant CONTEMPORARY!

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    2. :) I've inadvertently reread a book as well. And I've picked up titles at the library, and only after reading the blurb, realized I've already read the book.

      The Navajo Mysteries kept me engrossed while learning about a culture and tradition as a bonus.

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  4. I really enjoy Johnson's book, and so you had me with that comparison. I like books with a strong sense of place and great characters.

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    1. I love these characters and the setting--combined with the setting and good mysteries. I think you will enjoy this series if you give it a try. :)

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  5. I've visited the Navajo Nation several times, and I'm always on the lookout for books set there. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and always meant to continue reading, but I keep getting distracted. Must remind myself to move on to book #2!

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    1. I haven't been since I was a child, but the memory of the pueblo dwellings is still vivid. I am complete engrossed with this series and the characters!

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  6. I love it when a sequel doesn't disappoint and just makes you want to continue with the series. I have not read very many books with Native Americans as the main characters and these sound like they would be really good.

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    1. I have continued to read this series and need to review a few more. The addition of new characters and fresh plots has kept me engrossed. :)

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