Title: The Shape Shifter
Author: Tony Hillerman
First published November 21, 2006
276 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780060563455 (ISBN10: 0060563451)
Rating: 4.02
Overview
Retired Navajo Tribal Police officer Joe Leaphorn is once again called upon to solve a perplexing crime. This time, it’s an old case that has been haunting him for years – his “last case” which remains unsolved.
With officers Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito on their honeymoon, Leaphorn is left to his own devices. The case involves a priceless Navajo rug that was believed to have been destroyed in a fire, but a photo of the same rug in a magazine spread suggests otherwise.
When the man who brings the photo to Leaphorn’s attention goes missing, the retired officer must untangle a crime he thought was impossible to solve. But with the passage of time, details have been obscured, and there’s still a murderer on the loose.
Tony Hillerman’s The Shape Shifter takes readers on a thrilling ride through the rugged beauty of the Southwest, filled with suspense and intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
About the Author
Tony Hillerman, a man born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, lived a life of many accomplishments. He bravely served as a mortarman in the 103rd Infantry Division during World War II, earning prestigious awards such as the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart.
After the war, Hillerman worked as a journalist for over a decade, from 1948 to 1962. Later, he pursued higher education and obtained a Masters degree.
He then shared his knowledge with students as a journalism professor at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque from 1966 to 1987. Hillerman settled in Albuquerque with his wife and remained there until his passing in 2008.
Beyond his impressive career, Hillerman was also a successful author and consistently ranked among New Mexico’s wealthiest individuals.
Editoral Review
In “The Shape Shifter,” Tony Hillerman returns his readers to the world of Navajo Tribal police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee one last time. Published posthumously in 2006, this novel marks the final installment of Hillerman’s 18-book series featuring these iconic characters.
A master of the Navajo mystery genre, Hillerman’s legacy not only includes his engaging storytelling skills but also his respectful depictions of tribal culture and traditions. At the heart of “The Shape Shifter” is Hillerman’s careful world-building, which immerses his readers in the landscape and culture of the Navajo Nation.
The novel opens on the Happy Canyon Road where Leaphorn encounters the aftermath of what was possibly an old crime he investigated over a decade ago. Hillerman weaves a complex narrative that merges the present with the past, where Leaphorn’s investigations in the past seem to be connected with the attacks on the Happy Canyon Road.
Through Hillerman’s descriptive storytelling, the reader becomes invested in learning more about Navajo mythology and culture as they unravel the mystery alongside Leaphorn and Chee. The characters that Hillerman created have stood the test of time.
Leaphorn is an unsentimental but intelligent character while Chee is more of an imaginative and spiritual detective. They each have their motivation, ambitions, and vulnerabilities that skillfully progress throughout the series.
“The Shape Shifter” offers fans of the series a chance to see the camaraderie between the two main characters in their last parts of the series. Hillerman’s character development of the antagonists, which is built on Navajo cultural backgrounds and symbolism, adds depth to the plot.
Despite its many strengths, “The Shape Shifter” does have its flaws. The pacing of the plot is at times slower than necessary, and those unfamiliar with the previous books in the series may feel lost as Hillerman expects his readers to have knowledge of the previous books.
While Hillerman builds on themes of exploitation and oppression of the Navajo people, this angle feels underdeveloped and could have been explored more deeply. In the end, “The Shape Shifter” offers readers a satisfying conclusion to the Leaphorn and Chee series.
Tony Hillerman’s signature style of weaving together Navajo mythology, culture and mystery in this compelling narrative serves as an epitaph to his legacy. Fans of the author and the series will appreciate Hillerman’s skillful storytelling, while new readers may find themselves drawn to the fascinating world he has created.
Overall, the book deserves a rating of 4.5 out of 5, and definitely worth reading for those who appreciate a skillfully crafted mystery series.
