Hunting Badger: A Novel by Tony Hillerman

Like a dream catcher, Tony Hillerman's novels are intricately constructed using the Navajo culture and the colorful Southwestern landscape as integral pieces. His mystery novels are fraught with tension and sinister motives.

His characters, Sargeant Jim Chee and Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, solve the mysteries by combining their intellects, perspectives and intuitive skills. A cord running through the novels is the ineptness of FBI agents who cannot solve the mystery.

“Hunting Badger” is Hillerman's most recent novel where Leaphorn and Chee are on the case.

Lieutenant Leaphorn is retired and missing his police work when an old acquaintance comes to him with details of a murder and robbery of a casino. He begs anonymity after relating that he knows the name of who killed a policeman and critically wounded a sheriff. He also knows that they wanted the money to finance an anti-government venture.

Sargeant Chee, having returned to his hometown, is requested by Officer Bernie Manuelito. She requests his assistance to find the men who committed the robbery and murder. The three perpetrators have escaped into a labyrinth of canyons at the Utah, Arizona border.

This novel is based on a true story. The FBI uses helicopters and high technological equipment. They are convinced that the wounded sheriff was part of the plot. Leaphorn and Chee see that the story seems to parallel the legend of an Ute bandit who escaped by flying into the canyons.

Some readers say this is traditional Hillerman while others say the novel is too wordy with an excess of badmen. Those who are Hillerman fans recommend that first time readers should try “The Skywalker.” Most agree that “Hunting Badger” is another one of Hillerman's mind satisfying novels.