The Sinister Pig

An interesting scenario, got us out of the Navajo Nation and into southern New Mexico, mostly Bernie, Chee, and Cowboy Dashee, with a little of Leaphorn. However, the plot was farfetched and was more so toward the end. Still, an engaging read.

I only have two more in the series. What will I do for this kind of popcorn reading when they're gone?

For Proust, flavors evoked memories. For me it's books. A place will evoke the book I was reading, and conversely, a book will take me back to the place where I was reading it.

The Navajo Mysteries, written first by Tony Hillerman, and now by Anne Hillerman, primarily take place within the bounds of the Navajo Nation. And although I've visited, I've never read a single one of the mysteries there. And yet, the books all evoke places to me — UCSB, Salinas, Pine Cove, and now Hayden Island.

Bear with me. Until recently, The Sinister Pig was the last the original series I hadn't read. Library and local bookshops didn't have a copy, and while I love the series, I just didn't feel the need to do a special order.

Our favorite hotel in Portland show more maintains two "take one, leave one" libraries. On our last summer trip there, I stopped a hard cover edition of The Sinister Pig. Bonus! I knew we'd be coming back in December on our trip to Canada, so I made it my goal to read it and return it then.

The Sinister Pig by Tony Hillerman is the 16th in the original series. Bernadette Manuelito has broken up with Jim Chee. She's now working off the Rez for the Border Patrol. She spots something unusual at a so-called exotic animal ranch that sets into motion a whole bunch of trouble. Meanwhile, a federal investigator has been murdered as he was in the middle of investigating something going on at the border.

Many of the books in this series are references to Diné stories but this time with the story only vaguely on the reservation, the title is instead a three way pun. There is the potentially corrupt cop (a sinister pig), there are the pigs that clean out pipes, and there are the pigs that get other pigs to do things, like the bellwether sheep. These three types of pigs related directly to the three mysteries of the book.

And it takes three characters to pool their resources to see the big picture. It takes Joe Leaphorn's understanding of how things were, Jim Chee's current investigational skills, and it takes Bearnette Manuelito's curiosity and out the box thinking to bring the clues together.

Now having read the other books in the series, and especially Spider Woman's Daughter, it was interesting to see Bernie and Jim figure out their feelings for each other. I knew how it was going to work out but I wasn't sure how they would get there. That was a fun bit of 20/20 hindsight.

And in case you're wondering, I did finish the book in time for the Canada trip. I dropped the book off on our way up and it was gone by the time we had returned just before New Year's. I picked up a copy of How Stella Got Her Groove Back which I plan to read and return the next time we're up that way in December. show less

It was easy for me to become immediately interested in this story, having read most of the early Hillerman novels featuring Chee and Leaphorn and other characters such as Cowboy Dashee and Bernie Manuelito. Bernie is a fun character and I consider her an interesting personality with a lovely, assertive personality. As a love interest for Chee, she was a vast improvement over Mary Landon and Janet Pete. The mystery and suspense built rather predictably but nonetheless, I found the narrative engaging. The book is staying in my collection of 'enjoyable light mysteries'.

I dithered between a 3½- or 4-star rating due to some seemingly-hurried writing of the narrative. The pace of each scenario feels a bit rushed rather than Hillerman's show more trademark philosophical discourse. As well, the story ended with some unresolved situations. For example, the reader doesn't have the satisfaction of knowing that the corrupt Ed Henry was apprehended as part of the drug ring round up, nor is it very evident what the Washington backstory was really all about with senators and congressmen. I don't recommend this novel as a reader's first experience of Tony Hillerman's Navajo series. Just about any of the others would be a better introduction to these mysteries. show less

Another one of my tbr novels read and off the list! I've always enjoyed Tony Hillerman's novels. Like all of his fans, I'm looking forward to the newest season of "Dark Winds".
"The Sinister Pig" was originally published in May 2003 and deals in part with current day issues. It's interesting that 20+ years later and we're still addressing and dealing with a lot of the same concerns. Sergeant Jim Chee is concerned by an unidentified corpse found just on the border of his jurisdiction. More troubling, is the insistence by the FBI that they take over the investigation. Their conclusion is that the incident was caused by a hunting accident. All evidence proves otherwise. Sergeant Chee decides to continue investigating the case, along with show more his long-time friend, and retired colleague, "Legendary Lieutenant" Joe Leaphorn. Sergeant Chee's former employee and friend, Customs Patrol Agent, Bernadette (Bernie) Manuelito, also becomes part of the plot, as she holds evidence that could prove the guilt of those involved.
In my opinion, a definite must read. show less

I don't read all of Tony Hillerman's books but I read enough to know the main characters and understand their history. This book ties together Lieutenant Leaphorn (now retired but still in the know), Sergeant Jim Chee and Bernadette Manuelito who has left the Navajo Tribal Council to work for the Border Patrol. A murder in Sergeant Chee's area (taken over by the FBI who aren't divulging even the identity of the victim) ties into some work being done on a private ranch down by the Mexican border that Manuelito runs across. Chee and Manuelito care for each other but Chee would never say anything to her in the romantic vein. However when Manuelito is in danger Chee runs to her rescue and even a sinister pig can't stand in the way.

A very show more satisfying story. show less

Overly complex. Felt like an attempt to update the series and infusing with Mexican border issues, Senate committees and drugs. Not nearly enough landscape. An attempt at multiple perspectives again, which was used to create tension and move the plot forward, since solving the murder wasn't possible after the FBI took over. Temporary physical estrangement between Chee and Bernie. Not one of Hillerman's better books.

This is not my favorite Hillerman book, seemed to have a bit of a rant about the "drug war" and all. However, it was a concise little story, not so much a mystery as a way to forward events in the life of Jim Chee. I enjoyed the read, even if I didn't feel it was one of his best mysteries.