Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Review of Anne Hillerman's first novel, Spider Woman's Daughter
I just finished reading a pre-publication copy of Anne Hillerman's first novel, Spider Woman's Daughter. She is Tony Hillerman's daughter and this novel represents a continuation of his mystery stories involving Navajo policemen. You'll find the review at Goodreads, here:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/705361012
or you can read it below:
Although she has published a number of non-fiction books, Spider Woman's Daughter is Anne Hillerman's first novel. Some of you may know her as the daughter of Tony Hillerman, famous for his numerous mystery novels, set primarily in Arizona and New Mexico, describing the exploits of two Navajo Indian policemen, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. Tony Hillerman died almost five years ago. It must have seemed an enormous and intimidating challenge for Anne to continue these stories. Tony Hillerman fans have been anxiously awaiting this book (publication date is Oct 1, 2013).
First impression? I thoroughly enjoyed Spider Woman's Daughter. I had no problem staying with it in spite of competing activities. When I finished reading it, it took me hours to gradually leave the world I experienced while reading her book and return to the here and now. Any novel that draws you into the author’s world that deeply has to be a good novel.
My experience in New Mexico certainly biased my enjoyment of this book. Her description of police road trips such as Shiprock to Santa Fe or into the Chaco ruins really hit home. My wife and I have also stayed in Santa Fe enough times to be familiar with the roads and places she described in that town. Anne Hillerman's detailed descriptions provide a very strong sense of place. Anyone who's experienced New Mexico will enjoy this book that much more.
I especially liked that Anne chose Bernie as the primary protagonist. I always enjoyed the banter between Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, but her focusing on Bernie and Chee’s relationship (they are both Navajo police, recently married) added a whole new and welcome dimension. Though some of her dad’s fans might be looking for just a continuation of his Chee/Leaphorn stories in this novel (a few early reviews confirm this), I was delighted that Anne chose your own path. She's managed to maintain the place and feel of her dad’s stories but has done so in her own voice with somewhat different emphases. I hope Bernie continues to be the main protagonist in future novels. I like her mom (traditional Navajo), and her younger sister (not so traditional) is certainly an interesting character. My guess is that Anne Hillerman will pick up a larger percentage of female readers than her dad. I hope so. She sends a good message to young women with respect to their role in what was once mostly a man’s world.
As a mystery novel, there were plenty of suspects, false leads, and unanswered questions. I’m not a huge mystery fan, per se, but I found Anne's plots intriguing and compelling. This novel is definitely a page-turner. She provides just enough information to let the reader do some sleuthing on their own, but not so much that the ending is self-evident. Lots of excitement and suspense as she closes in on the ending. The ending was just right, left a good feeling of closure and all-is-well, except for Joe Leaphorn’s fate, which might be the topic of another novel?
Her book will surely pleasure lots of readers. Congratulations, Anne, on a great first novel!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/705361012
or you can read it below:
Although she has published a number of non-fiction books, Spider Woman's Daughter is Anne Hillerman's first novel. Some of you may know her as the daughter of Tony Hillerman, famous for his numerous mystery novels, set primarily in Arizona and New Mexico, describing the exploits of two Navajo Indian policemen, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. Tony Hillerman died almost five years ago. It must have seemed an enormous and intimidating challenge for Anne to continue these stories. Tony Hillerman fans have been anxiously awaiting this book (publication date is Oct 1, 2013).
First impression? I thoroughly enjoyed Spider Woman's Daughter. I had no problem staying with it in spite of competing activities. When I finished reading it, it took me hours to gradually leave the world I experienced while reading her book and return to the here and now. Any novel that draws you into the author’s world that deeply has to be a good novel.
My experience in New Mexico certainly biased my enjoyment of this book. Her description of police road trips such as Shiprock to Santa Fe or into the Chaco ruins really hit home. My wife and I have also stayed in Santa Fe enough times to be familiar with the roads and places she described in that town. Anne Hillerman's detailed descriptions provide a very strong sense of place. Anyone who's experienced New Mexico will enjoy this book that much more.
I especially liked that Anne chose Bernie as the primary protagonist. I always enjoyed the banter between Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, but her focusing on Bernie and Chee’s relationship (they are both Navajo police, recently married) added a whole new and welcome dimension. Though some of her dad’s fans might be looking for just a continuation of his Chee/Leaphorn stories in this novel (a few early reviews confirm this), I was delighted that Anne chose your own path. She's managed to maintain the place and feel of her dad’s stories but has done so in her own voice with somewhat different emphases. I hope Bernie continues to be the main protagonist in future novels. I like her mom (traditional Navajo), and her younger sister (not so traditional) is certainly an interesting character. My guess is that Anne Hillerman will pick up a larger percentage of female readers than her dad. I hope so. She sends a good message to young women with respect to their role in what was once mostly a man’s world.
As a mystery novel, there were plenty of suspects, false leads, and unanswered questions. I’m not a huge mystery fan, per se, but I found Anne's plots intriguing and compelling. This novel is definitely a page-turner. She provides just enough information to let the reader do some sleuthing on their own, but not so much that the ending is self-evident. Lots of excitement and suspense as she closes in on the ending. The ending was just right, left a good feeling of closure and all-is-well, except for Joe Leaphorn’s fate, which might be the topic of another novel?
Her book will surely pleasure lots of readers. Congratulations, Anne, on a great first novel!
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