The Shaman Sings

The first in a series that shows promise. Scott Parris has a hunch and a dream about a murder and his hunches are turning out to be pretty accurate. Along with him Daisy Perika is seeing some of the same things, however she acknowledges that this is shamanistic visions, he's reluctant to agree.

It's an interesting blend of paranormal and investigation and while the clues are there you don't realise who dunnit until late. Many red herrings litter the story to keep you interested as well.

An interesting mystery set in the American southwest and involving some Native American characters. The links between the Native American characters and the "main" thread of the mystery take quite a while to become clear. The mystical element is interesting; we see it with both the "good" and "bad" characters, in different ways. It provides clues that help the characters figure out what's going on.

The style is no more than competent and does not enhance the story. The author makes good use of some mishandling of information, which negates the best efforts of the police chief. He hints at characters' backgrounds, particularly the chief's experiences with women, to shed light on current events, but there isn't enough information in the show more background hints to help us understand much.

A decent first novel, with some promising characters, who might be developed further in the sequels. show less

Dark, flawed first effort. Romance plot lurches forward without proper development, there are plot threads left loose at the end, and to create suspense Doss uses a cheap trick that risks losing the reader midway through. Worse, it's not even really a Charlie Moon mystery, as he only appears in cameo at the tail end.

Book one in my newest series find. I am growing very fond of Doss's Ute tales, although, unlike my sister who favors Charlie Moon, my favorite character is Aunt Daisy. I find her original and interesting. In this book there is another mystery to solve (the murder and disappearance of a little girl's parents), some serious mysticism, and tribal lore. It makes for a heady mix.

The Shaman Sings – The first James Doss novel… “Of all the sources of power the greatest was the/pituku/pi – Anne Smith the Ethnography of the Northern Ute’s. In his first few books we spend some more time in Granite Creek Colorado with Chief of Police Scott Paris… a great character… but one I think that the Author was not sure he wanted to focus on. I kind of wanted to see if "Paris" had some Mystic Irish or German in him... kind of tie him with "Daisey". We do meet “Daisey Perika” and her Nephew Charlie Moon. Both whom become the central focus of the series.

I am reading this for the second time just because I have kept it for years and I read The author has passed away. I liked it better the first time finding myself less accepting of the mystical elements . I never did complete the series but I will try a few more.

The first story in the Charlie Moon series. Likeable charactors, likeable settings. I've revisited each book many times.