The Blessing Way, which is pages 1-172 of 499 of this omnibus of the first three Joe Leaphorn & Jim Chee mysteries set on the Navajo Reservation, was the 30th book I read this year. First published in 1970, it doesn't feature Chee but Leaphorn's friend Bergen McKee in a mystery involving at least three gruesome murders. Well-written and fast-paced, the brief novel will leave a mystery lover wanting more. ( )

The Blessing Way / Dance Hall of the Dead / Listening Woman ( )

I've read just about all of his books. They are all very good.

I've never really been into mysteries before, but the cover of one of Hillerman's latest novels caught my eye and sounded interesting and since I always like to start at the beginning of a series... This book has the first three novels in it and as I was reading the first one, I thought it seemed a little dated. I checked the copyright dates and the first novel was printed in 1970. Holy cow! This guy has been writing novels for over 30 -- nearly 40 years! I'm totally awed!

The novels are great, always keeping me guessing, but not totally clueless. A fine line. I don't want to be bored waiting for the detective to figure things out, but I don't want to get to the end and go "wtf? where were the clues?"

It's obvious that he's done his research on the Navajo culture as well, something I appreciate. And something I can maybe use down the line in a J/C story. hehehehehe ( )