Legend of the Dead

The Sheriff Lansing Mysteries, Book 1

By: Micah S. Hackler

Narrated by: Eric G. Dove

Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

A thousand years ago a people’s blood was shed on this parched earth. Now the dying has begun again.

High on a desert ridge, The Watcher awaits....

The body in the arroyo belonged to a man who’d made his living plundering ancient Indian sites. And the only witness to the crime would not change his story: a demon had killed his friend.

Sheriff Cliff Lansing has an unexplained death on his hands, and it’s only the beginning. In Las Palmas, New Mexico, a US senator is on his way to meet a Zuni shaman who is holding up a land swap involving 150,000 acres in New Mexico and Arizona. Backed by a powerful businessman, the senator intends to push the deal through. But in a long, dark night on the high desert, he is led into a storm of violence and shame.

Now Sheriff Lansing is headed out to the Anasazi Strip, where the truth awaits him—in the swirling dust of magic, greed, and murder.

©2019 Micah S. Hackler (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Thank you Audible Plus

I would never have considered this series even though I loved the early Hillerman years. This series gets better with each installment. It differs from others because the Mysticism is real. Give it a try, you won't be sorry.

nearly ruined by narrator

It was difficult to get through the story because of horrible narration...but the story was good. I would read more by the author in hard copy.

Another narrator ruins the story

A good narrator can save a marginal story but a bad one ruins it all. Could have been enjoyable but listening to what sounds like a forced voice that reports more than narrates with real emotion leaves this story drowning. Character didn’t sound like an Indian, everyone sounded alike. Ugh

Could have been a great book

It had a good premise- I did learn a lot about the Indian culture and beliefs.... but I lost interest. It was more like a political story than any else.

Great story, not the right narrator.

This is a really good story but the narrator is not right for this series. I will continue to listen, but someone less TV announcery would really set this off. Here's hoping for a change in narrators!

Brief narrative lacking descriptive detail

I found this novel brief and appears to be a plot outline for a more complete work to follow. The story line was brief and choppy and lacks the descriptive narrative that I've enjoyed in many of the audible book that the authors use to embellish the plot and provide color to the scene or the surrounding environment. As a result, the story seems terse and jumps with little transition from one scene, usually divided as chapters, to the next. While many readers may prefer the fast pace and unembellished approached of this novel, I found myself wanting more detail.

Everything I was hoping for and more.

I was looking for a series similar to Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn books, and found it and more. The story also reminds me of the Longmire books, but it stands well as it's own 'world'. A great blend of murder mystery and native mysticism, humor and intrigue. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

Politics Meet Indian Legend Up Close and Personal

The book begins with two drunks out in the desert stealing ancient Indian pottery until one of the men is killed. At first the authorities believe it was an accidental shooting, that the two men were out drinking and one accidentally shot the other. But soon it was evident that could not have been the case. Different caliber, different gun. Sheriff Lansing asks the local doctor to perform the autopsy, a female who becomes instrumental later in the story. A rich and powerful businessman, who believes he has the senator in his pocket is trying to push through a land swap with the tribal nation. But things are not exactly as they seem. When the medicine man asks to meet directly with the senator before the deal can be voted upon, the senator agrees. This is a great first book in the series. I could not stop listening to it, staying up late to finish it. The folklore surrounding the artifacts, the native people, and the area are so interesting. Can't wait for the next in the series.

Excellent read

This book is a well written interesting storyline. I accidentally stumbled onto this author and was so impressed I have added this next 4 books in the series to my library. Very entertaining

could not put it down

excellent narration, with great variation very believable.
the story is a great mystery, many twists, with a little supernatural thrown in in a believable way. I also appreciated the sensitivity shown native Americans.