Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman is a 1973 publication.

This is the second installment in the Leaphorn & Chee series, which centers around the disappearance of two boys.

This novel is incredibly interesting as it delves into the Zuni people and the unique laws and beliefs which complicate the investigation. The story held my attention all the way through, and though it is yet another ‘time-capsule’ story which contains some dated storylines- primarily that of ‘hippies and commune living’- nothing else about the story showed its age. The imagery was incredible and Hillerman has a real knack for drawing you into the landscape, making you feel like you are right there with him.

Overall, this is a compelling story, written with vivid details and atmosphere. Looking forward to the next installment!

4 stars ( )

The mystery in Dance Hall of the Dead was just okay and the pace of the book tended to be a bit plodding at times. The Navajo and Zuni cultures and the Southwest settings gave the story an interesting dimension. Leaphorn being a reservation policeman makes the story a good contrast with the Longmire books. Chee was MIA here. I intend to read Anne Hillerman’s pickup of the series to compare to her father’s work. ( )

I’m really liking the style of Tony Hillerman’s novels. This one does not disappoint. ( )

Leaphorn investigates the disappearance of two young males who were experimenting with the occult. Interesting read, with information about archaeology thrown into the mix. ( )

In Dance Hall of the Dead, Zuni and Navaho sacred traditions were woven through the investigation into the murder of a young Zuni boy whose death seemed to be without any kind of logical motivation.

A bit too didactic at times on native traditions. ( )