Navajo Autumn

Navajo Nation Mystery, Book 1

By: R. Allen Chappell

Narrated by: Kaipo Schwab

Reservation "bad boy" Thomas Begay is found dead drunk under the La Plata Bridge, which is not unusual for him. What is unusual, however, is that beautiful BIA investigator Patsy Greyhorse is found lying beside him, not drunk or even a Navajo but very dead nonetheless. Charlie Yazzie, fresh from law school, risks his career and even his life to help his old friend. The answer seems to lie with the Yeenaaldiooshii...should one choose to believe in such things.

©2013 R. Allen Chappell (P)2016 Tantor

Great book for Tony and Anne Hillerman fans!

Here's a book that was both written and read well. When a Native American drunk is discovered unconscious near the body of a murdered woman, the local authorities consider their case closed. Fortunately for the accused man, not everyone agrees. Knowing he's innocent and proving it are two different things. This story will hold your attention right to the end.

Gripping

I kept expecting Lt. Joe Leaphorn to show up in various scenes. Chappell is a great story teller and I felt the book was almost in the league of Tony Hillerman. This is a modern day story set in the Navajo Reservation I the Four Corners Region. Our protagonist is Charlie Yazzie who has returned to “The Res” with a law degree, but finds few choices for his skills. He is unable to obtain employment in any law firms in off Reservation towns. The Navajo Nation hires him as a special investigator until a position opens up in the tribal legal department.

Thomas Begay, a school friend of Charlie’s from the Indian Bureau’s tribal boarding school days, is charged with the murder of a Sioux Indian woman. It turns out she is an attorney with the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigating a problem with the Tribal watershed rights. Charlie sets out to prove Thomas innocent.

What makes the story interesting is Charlie has lost most of his fluency in the Navajo language and customs. The story provides a look at a people where the young are leaving behind the old ways but the older generation is hanging on tight to their past. Chappell provides an insight into the modern day problems of the Navajo people in a form of a good story. The story has engaging characters, fast action and some humor. Chappell provides explanations of Navajo history, culture and spirituality and how they have survived in such a rugged environment. Kaipo Schwab does a good job narrating the story. I cannot wait for more stories by Chappell.

Navajo Autumn

Was a good story-wished that it had been longer-The narrator did a great job…loved his voice.

Poor ending

The book had a lot of potential. The narration was excellent but the story about 3/4 of the way through got weak. It was like the author got sick of writing and just wanted to finish the book. I would not recommend this book.

the best Navajo mystery writer

and the best performer of his novels work together in this audiobook to give you a great experience. R. Allen Chappell and Kaipo Schwab are an unbeatable team and create a Navajo mystery story with lively, enthralling characters and a detailed plot that will keep you immersed till the end. i can’t wait for more audiobooks from these superb artists.