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

“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

More like his early novels

This story is written more like Blessing Way than Hillerman's later works. There are brief touches at the beginning, end, and middle that situate the story following Chee and Manuelito's marriage, but aside from that the style reminded me more of Blessing Way than of Hillerman's other later novels. For me, it was slow going for quite a ways before finally becoming quite exciting.

Typical Hillerman

Finally got to hear this one. Never disappointed by Tony and his great stories. I am sure you will enjoy this one also.

A Special Treat

I have read all Mr Hillermans books and listening to Mr Guidalls narrative was as special as I knew it would be.

Great Story!

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

A surprise!

Somehow I missed this one when it came out originally. So as I was working my way through the audio versions of the series this was a wonderful surprise.
George G. It's perfect for these novels.

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.

another good one

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

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.

Tony!

Good, solid entertaining Leaphorn book! George G, as always does a great narration job. We love these books for easy reading while still entertain8ng.

End of the Tony Herman series

Great ending to Tony Hillerman’s Leaphorn & Chee series of police novels. Good plot but contained some confusing chronological errors that made me think this may have been an unfinished novel that someone picked up and finished for Tony. Also some lapses in what I’d come to expect from Leaphorn’s character. Still looking forward to pressing on with the continuation of the series by Anne Hillerman.