::READERS REVIEWS::

A thief of time is a pot pilferer - As with most Hillerman formulas, we have separate mysteries that overlap in time and place. Almost retired with just a few days to go Lt. Joe Leaphorn, Navajo Tribal Police, is looking for a missing anthropologist Dr. Eleanor Friedman-Bernal who disappeared, leaving an extensively prepared meal in the refrigerator. And Officer Jim Chee looking for a missing back-ho that he was supposed to be watching due to a chronic thieving problem.

Now do not jump to conclusions. Hillerman thinly veils his mysteries and you can pretty much guess the conclusion. This time it is a waste to try. We get his colorful description of the four corners country. Also, we get an insight into Navajo culture. You may go a little potty with details.

One of Hillerman's best - Thief of Time, Tony Hillerman's eighth mystery novel featuring the Navajo Tribal police, is one of his most compelling and compassionate mysteries, along with Coyote Waits, and The Wailing Wind. Hillerman catches the reader's attention within the first few pages. The book opens with Dr. Eleanor Friedman-Bernal, an anthropologist studying Anasazi pottery, arriving at her campsite in a remote canyon in Utah. She hears a flute-like sound, which she assumes is just the wind playing upon her imagination. Then she notices that someone has sadistically tied frogs to sticks fixed in the ground just out of reach of water. Some of the frogs are still alive, so the person responsible for this sick display is likely close by. When the wind starts playing Hey Jude, both the reader and Dr. Friedman-Bernal realize that she is in trouble.

The story shifts to two weeks later, when colleagues become concerned and report Dr. Friedman-Bernal missing. Lt. Joe Leaphorn is on bereavement leave after the death of his wife, but agrees to do some preliminary investigation as a favor. Officer Jim Chee is on the trail of a backhoe thief. Leaphorn and Chee keep running into each other as they follow their respective leads. Soon they realize that the theft of the backhoe and the disappearance of Friedman-Bernal are related.

Leaphorn's and Chee's investigations lead them to question everyone from field anthropologists to evangelists to local ranchers. Everyone and his brother seem to be involved in selling unlawfully obtained Anasazi pottery on the black market, including Dr. Friedman-Bernal. Those involved in the looting of Native American graves are the thieves of time of the title.

The mystery is intricately woven and the ending comes as quite a surprise. Although the mystery and the archeological aspects of the book were quite interesting, what really made this book worthwhile for me was the human story. Chapter 11 is devoted to the final thoughts and actions of Harrison Houk, one of Hillerman's most complex characters. Leaphorn knows Houk from an investigation years earlier when Houk's wife and children were brutally murdered by Houk's schizophrenic son. Facing imminent death, Houk calmly goes over memories of his lost family and feels only love and gratitude to God for giving him a good family and a good life. The depth of Houk's love and understanding of his mentally ill prodigal was beyond moving.

I highly recommend this book. Thief of Time was adapted for PBS's Mystery Theater, by Robert Redford and is available on dvd. I recommend the movie version as well, although the movie lacks the character development of the book.

Hillerman's highwater point - Tony Hillerman's readings of his own novels are usually abridged versions,
but they grow on you once you become accustomed to his down home style.
A THIEF OF TIME was, for whatever reason, his breakthrough novel and he became famous. It was my own introduction to Chee and Leaphorn. There are others in this series I consider as good, but THIEF is indeed loaded with the atmosphere of place not even Zane Grey could equal. It also moves about the great four corners countryside over three states, capturing the essence of light and darkness typical of great writing. This is a bargain, too, a great start or addition to any Hillerman collection. It will satisfy any Hillerman fan and help fill the great void left by his passing.

Great read - Wounds still fresh from losing his wife, Lt. Leaphorn is making the disappearance of an archaeologist his last case before retirement. What starts as a simple enough missing person's investigation blooms into a triple homicide.

Exceptionally written, A Thief of Time is one of those novels that makes readers of all kinds glad they picked up this book.

book review - The book arrived when expected and in good shape -- all is well. It is interesting and hard to put down, very good story teller.

Excellent story - A Thief of Time is a story written in true Tony Hillerman style. It has the main characters of previous stories and the plot keeps you wondering who did what and what is coming next.

3.5 stars for this one -- A good read. - This was my first Tony Hillerman and I liked it. I enjoyed the history, culture, the importance of respect when it comes to ancient ruins, burials and customs that are not widely understood or known about. I love books when I am entertained and learn something at the same time. I don't find it a five star effort, however. Hillerman is good but he's not Gabriel Marquez or Victor Hugo (my idea of 5 star work). When I go to a five star restaurant I don't want paper napkins and family dining. I want something absolutely remarkable and so extraordinarily unique and memorable it is burned forever into my brain and absolutely nothing else in the world equals it. I feel the same way about books. This book was a good read, but it was not great. The cultural details were interesting, the premise was compelling, but I felt the ending a wee bit too fast, too convenient, and not as believable as I'd like it to have been. Hillerman's strength are his two main characters Chee and Leaphorn, both are well drawn and admirable men. I also think he can dig deeper into what must be a vast knowledge of the land, the culture, and the people there and give us more. Still in all, a good read.

Easy Reading - I read "Thief of Time" during a dory trip down the San Juan River. The perfect book for this occasion since the story took place in this area.

Greatest Hillerman story - This is my favorite Hillerman story - and I have read all his books. It was made into a movie which is pretty good, but as so often happens, the book tells a more detailed and much better story. If you like the SW, Navajo culture and Hillerman's tales, don't miss this one. It's GREAT!!