Navajo Nation series by R. Allen Chappell

 This  is an   A W E S O M E    new to me writer!

 

 

 

I normally don't add an image, but I couldn't resist this one. And I wholeheartedly admit, that I picked this book because of the picture of the Anasazi Cliff Dwelling! I had passed several books in the series, with in the back of my mind: "Gonna try that series, someday" but when I saw this cover, I couldn't wait, never even looked where in the series it sat, just got it. Turned out, it was actually the third of a three part story in the series, so I "had" to get the first 2 as well...... Such a bummer. ROFL!!!    I don't sleep much these days, so technically, I didn't lose any sleep, but I did spend the night tucked on the couch with a blanket, reading the night away...... and I highly recommend it!!! Just started on this one, but couldn't wait to tell you about this author. And today was my birthday, so I just stayed on the couch and read the second one in between short visits from people stopping by. I just finished Boy made of Dawn and am a bit tired, so I'm just curling up where I'm at and try to sleep for a bit, and if it doesn't happen..... there's the third book, ready to go :-)

I love stories that incorporate Native American culture. Make it a mystery and I generally won't put it down until the story is told in its entirety, LOL!   It started with Winnetou when I was about 8. My aunt didn't have a whole lot of patience with kids my age, so when I discovered their bookroom, and wanted to be there instead of the livingroom, she was fine with it. My uncle even let me take the book home so I could finish it.  This set me on a trip to discovery of Native American history/culture and the Anasazi. Something I haven't grown out of in more than 50 years :-)  A couple of years later, I saw the movie on German Television, and between Pierre Brice and Lex Barker.... what can I say LOL.   

That first book "Winnetou" started my series of Karl May paperbacks..... I don't have all of them anymore,  18 moves and 50 years can do that.... but my very first one? YUP! Still have it, and still reread it, even though I can probably recite the whole thing, including punctiations. ROFL.  That was followed by Jean Hager, Aimee and David Thurloo and Tony Hillerman and today, I added R. Allen Chappell to that list of treasures.

Navajo Autumn, Boy made of Dawn and Ancient Blood....

The story is well thought out, descriptive, with lots of room to do your own "filliing in of imagery" while at the same time, giving you all the imagery you need for when you don't have the inclination to think too much.  The characters are not too perfect of a human being, but they fit the story that's being told and it feels as if you would recognize them, if you were to bump into them on the street. The main character, Charlie is "good people", as is his friend Sue, Thomas is one of those people that have many sides, good people with not so great sides, but the good part makes up for them overshadowing the others more and more as the story unfolds, and, as in all mysteries, there's the badguys that are not obviously so, and those that make your hair stand on end at first contact.... As icing on the cake, you get a little bit of culture and a good impression of the environment while the story is told. Luckily the series as of now, stands at 14 books, so this is going to be a VERY good winter! 

The first book ends on an almost cliffhanger, as in the story is done, but you KNOW there is more to tell. The second book takes up a couple of months and revelation after the ending of the first one and tells the rest of the story. You would think they'd feel disjointed seprately, but they really don't. Even though I am happy to have read them in order, I don't think it would have been odd to read them in reverse order, but it would have made for a couple of AHA! moments once you started reading the first book. So, if you're starting out, just start at the Navajo Autumn for the full effect, anticipate to growl at people when they try to interrupt, and generally... enjoy the ride.