The Shape Shifter

A Leaphorn and Chee Novel, Book 18

By: Tony Hillerman

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Don’t miss the TV series, Dark Winds, based on the Leaphorn, Chee, & Manuelito novels, now on AMC and AMC+!

“With The Shape Shifter, Hillerman once again proves himself the master of Southwest mystery fiction, working in a Hemingway-esque tradition of pared-down writing to bring the rugged Southwest into focus.”—Santa Fe New Mexican

Legendary Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn is drawn back into the past to solve a cold case that has haunted him for nearly a decade in this atmospheric and twisting mystery infused with the Native American culture and lore of the desert Southwest.

Though he’s officially retired from the Navajo Tribal Police, Joe Leaphorn occasionally helps his former colleagues Jim Chee and Bernie Manuelito crack particularly puzzling crimes.

But there is that rare unsolved investigation that haunts every lawman, including the legendary Leaphorn. Joe still hasn’t let go of his “last case”—a mystery involving a priceless Navajo rug that was supposedly destroyed in a fire. Nine years later, what looks like the same one-of-a-kind rug turns up in a magazine spread, and the man who showed Joe the photo has gone missing.

With Chee and Bernie on their honeymoon, Leaphorn plunges into the case solo, picking up the threads of this crime he’d long thought impossible to solve. Not only has the passage of time obscured the details, but a murderer long thought dead continues to roam free—and is ready to strike again to keep the past buried.

©2009 Tony Hillerman (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

A worthy last Leaphorn/Chee book by Tony Hillerman

One of the best plots in the series, with twists that are believable and a resolution that is apt and satisfying. Good character sketch of Joe Leaphorn with cameo appearances by Jim Chee and Bernie Chee (Manuelito). And of course, the high desert and mountains of the Four Corners area are drawn as well as could be expected by this talented author.

The only thing I don't like is the framing narrative, which distracts from the core story, but that's not enough to drop this below a five-star rating.

This book and the entire series are highly recommended.

Great Story!

I read Hillerman's book but absolutely love listening them. Joe, Jim, and my favorite, Bernie are wonderful characters

another good one

Love these books. great local interests. I really enjoy having local places incorporated in yhe stories

Great story

Tony Hillerman is a favorite. Love all his tales. Love the setting of his tales.

Delightful , Convoluted and Satisfying

This is Hillerman at his conniving best. I have been a dedicated fan since the 80s and have gorged myself on all of his Leaphorn and Chee detective books. These books are uniquely rich with insight and cultural details of life among contemporary Native Western Americans. Hillerman grew up in Oklahoma with Potawatomi children where he gained a unique perspective of a way of life shrouded by misunderstandings for most European immigrants. Far from being culture lectures, the stories are cracking good tales. The Shape Shifter, however, is my personal favorite, weaving Navaho legend into a contemporary evil with a resolution that leaves me smiling. It is an example of incredible wickedness being overcome by determined good people.

As expected, fabulous!

Hillman weaves a complicated tale set in the Navajo world and beyond. Hints of CIA, hints of evil, hints of goodness and people longing to return to their homeland. Great narration. Great to the very last line.

Enticing

This story really drew me in all the way. Excellent and fun storyline so expertly given life by George Guidall. I guess I’d listen to just about anything he narrates.

Leaphorn super cop

I have always loved Leaphorn and Chee. I missed this one. Great book as usual.

Great adventure southwest style.

Retired Navajo police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn solves a cold case and remains alive to tell another tall tale! Tony Hillerman is a master at expressing a character's needs that readers feel like they are part of the story. The American indigenous people of the Four Corners area are full of rich beliefs and history. George Guidall offers a spot on narrative with multiple characters. Enjoy the series!

favorite

once again Tony hillerman does a great job. I am so attached to these characters. it's unreal