Hunting Badger

Hunting Badger, Tony Hillerman's fourteenth installment in the Leaphorn/Chee series, centers on a violent casino robbery on Ute tribal lands. The robbery leaves one security guard dead and another wounded, setting off a complex investigation. Sergeant Jim Chee pursues the armed robbers through official channels, while retired Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn becomes involved through a private source who refuses to work with authorities. The two investigators' paths intersect as they navigate between jurisdictions and uncover connections to an earlier, unsolved case. The story moves through the Four Corners region, incorporating both the physical landscape of the American Southwest and the cultural elements of the Navajo and Ute peoples. The investigation draws Chee and Leaphorn into a web of tribal politics, casino operations, and local legends. The novel explores themes of loyalty, justice, and the intersection of traditional Native American values with modern law enforcement methods. These elements combine with Hillerman's authentic portrayal of Native American life to create a layered examination of culture and crime.

Readers find this to be a solid entry in the Leaphorn/Chee series, though not among Hillerman's strongest works. Many note it provides insight into Ute culture and casino operations on reservations. Readers liked: - Detailed descriptions of Four Corners geography - Integration of real 1998 manhunt events - Portrayal of cooperation between tribal and federal law enforcement - Chee's character development Readers disliked: - Slower pacing compared to other Hillerman novels - Less involvement from Leaphorn - Less focus on Navajo cultural elements - Plot considered more straightforward/predictable than usual Ratings: Goodreads: 3.99/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (400+ ratings) Common reader comment: "Good but not great Hillerman" One frequent critique on forums is that the book feels "more like a police procedural than his usual cultural mysteries." Several readers note it works better as part of the series than as a standalone novel.

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🏹 The "Badger" in the title refers to a sacred animal in Navajo culture, believed to possess healing powers and represent protection 🏺 The Four Corners region featured in the book is the only point in the United States where four states (Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico) meet at a single point 👮 Tony Hillerman served as president of the Mystery Writers of America and won their Grand Master Award in 1991 for his lifetime contributions to the genre 🎰 The casino heist plot element reflects the real growth of tribal gaming operations following the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 🗺️ Hillerman spent over 20 years as a journalist in New Mexico before writing novels, giving him deep insight into the landscapes and cultures he portrayed