The Blessing Way

By: Tony Hillerman

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's Summary

Homicide is always an abomination, but there is something exceptionally disturbing about the victim discovered in a high, lonely place: a corpse with a mouth full of sand, abandoned at a crime scene seemingly devoid of tracks or useful clues. Though it goes against his better judgment, Navajo tribal police lieutenant Joe Leaphorn cannot help but suspect the hand of a supernatural killer. There is palpable evil in the air, and Leaphorn's pursuit of a wolf-witch is leading him where even the bravest men fear - on a chilling trail that winds perilously between mysticism and murder.

©1970 Anthony G. Hillerman (P)1990 Recorded Books

A 'Blessing' Indeed!

I've admired the books of Tony Hillerman for years. Many newer Southwest-based mystery series owe him a debt - and few equal his ability to make the reader (or, in this case, listener) feel in his/her bones what it must be like to live in Navaho country.

So, wow, was I happy to see that some of these classics have recently been released by Audible, read by the great and wonderful George Guidall! Talk about a perfect pairing - Guidall is one of those narrators who could bring feeling and gravitas to a reading of the telephone book, as the saying goes.

"The Blessing Way" is definitely not the telephone book, and it's a total joy to be re-introduced to this early Tony Hillerman featuring Joe Leaphorn. I look forward to experiencing more of the early series as well as some of Hillerman's later books.

Thank you, Audible!

Still Great

This book was published in 1970. Hillerman is a great storyteller and this story is still captivating after more than 40 years.

I read many books of this series over the years, and enjoyed every one of them. They are just as enjoyable in audio, especially with the excellent narration by George Guidall.

The story takes place on a Navajo reservation. Main character Joe Leaphorn is a Navajo tribal police officer. For me there is a timelessness in the setting and the characters.

I'll be listening to more books in this series.

And So It Begins

My husband and I read (well he actually did the out loud reading) all the books Mr. Hillerman wrote years ago. We loved everyone of them. The characters are so fresh and the ways of the Navajo and the Clans so alive we could almost see them.

So that's what we decided to do... go see the land and the people. So we packed the van, my Mom, and two cats and off we went. Stopped in Santa Fe for a while and there in the plaza while resting we saw two Tribal Police and tried to decided which was Chee. LOL...

Read these stories in order if you can and let your imigination float free. Let Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee give you a tour of the country, a vivid picture of the people, and a great story to walk into.. sit down by the fire and become one with the pictures painted for your enjoyment.

I am so glad Geo. Guidall is the narrator. He does a smooth expressive read everytime!

Murder and Intrigue In the Hopi Ruins

I'd read later Leaphorn mysteries and liked the interaction between characters who were not introduced yet in this, the first book in the series. This book centered on an academic, and a lot of action in an archeological dig and it felt to me like Leaphorn was a bit player. Glad I'd read the other book first or I might not have continued with what is a really fine series with well drawn characters.

Enjoyable book and Narration

I'm off to look for the next book in the series! Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book!

Great quick listen

A classic murder mystery read by an amazing narrator. Guidall is one of the very best.

This one opens the door. ......the trap door.

You can't stop making the wrong conclusions. What the hell will happen next? Crazy good.

Poor quality recording

George Guidall is a good narrator, particularly when it comes to Western stories, but unfortunately all of his nuances and subtleties of character our loss in this very poor reproduction of the original 1990 recording. The Blessing Way was not Hillerman's best Leaphorn and Chee book, but it deserves a much better audiobook then the watered-down poor quality recording provided here.

Clunky prose style and dumb plot

This wildly lauded book is a badly written stinker full of bloated, clumsy storytelling and thin characters. Sometimes Hillerman uses "suddenly" three times on one page. His dialogue is the strongest thing, but his propensity for POV shifts ruins it. Also, he does this foreshadowing thing that drives me nuts. It deflates all the tension every time.

As for the story itself, the action is implausible, but the stupid plot makes it worse. All the culturally appropriated Navajo stuff is straight up exposition that does little to move the story forward.

I liked this as a teenager, but I was pretty stoned then. Maybe the later ones are better, but this is a turd.

Had to go back and get some more Tony Hillerman

I've been enjoying Tony Hillerman books for decades. it was nice to listen to this one after a long break. My wife had not read these books and it was just a wonderful experience listening to it with her. I'll be getting more Hillerman books on audible in the future. It's like listening to an old friend. George Guidall is such a great narrator.
My wife and I had just gotten back from a trip to New Mexico and we had gotten to see some of the places described in these books. This helped make the story come alive.