Boy Made of Dawn: A Navajo Nation Mystery

This story picks up the adventures of Charlie and Thomas. The author weaves an intriguing story of what life is like in the back country in the southwest for Native Americans, especially for those on the Navajo nation. I enjoyed the thoughtful insight into their cultures. In today's modern world we forget that theirs is a very different culture and so is their mindset and their behaviors. Just because their land is within US borders does not mean they are apart of our culture. Just like someone from a foreign land, they process information differently and have different cultural ways of communicating and behaving. Living in the SW I have an understanding of this and appreciate and respect the differences. It adds to the flavor and culture that is the SW. I enjoyed this book even more than the first and would recommend it to anyone. The author also gives a detailed explanation of how to cook meat in a pit. Having had meat prepared this way many times I highly recommend trying it. It's worth the effort. This series has a lot to offer and I'm looking forward to reading more.

I love stories about the Southwest and native cultures, and this one is very well done indeed. I liked the characters and the way the story evolved. The book is well edited. I noticed not even one grammatical or spelling error, which is a real treat. I also appreciate that the story is self-contained. It actually ends when the book does. Hooray! There is plenty of opportunity for the characters to move on into another story in another book but the reader of this one is not left with the unpleasant sensation of unfinished business. I approve and heartily recommend this book to potential readers.

This is book 2 in a series about a Navajo voyeur. While it’s not on the level of a Tony Hillerman novel, it’s a pleasant read. While the books are not required to be read in consecutive order, they will make a little more sense if you start with book number one. The characters are enjoyable and the setting in the Southwest is as entrancing as always

The mood, settings and interactions are well wrought but, as with the last book by Chappell, too many threads are tied up too quickly.

I have read a few authors of tribal stories, and this is one of the better one. Thomas and Charlie and the supporting characters make for a good tale. Looking forward to the next book.

I love learning about cultures outside my own, especially the Native American ones. This author has good character development, great plot, and a happy ending. Good enough for me!

I usually don't fall into the "sequel" trap (e.g., One "Harry Potter" book was enough for me; same thing with "Hunger Games"). Maybe I don't like the "pressure" that goes with "How many of the ______ books have you read," or "Have you read the latest ______ book?" Maybe I haven't felt pushed by the original to read the next one. Who knows? And what difference does it really make?I enjoy stories that combine a sense of the old with a sense of the new, and the "Navaho Nation Mystery" series meets that criterion head on. Think of the determination that characterized the development of the "Wide West" in our country's history; add the intensity of our interactions with the Native American nations we encountered during that development. What do you have? A modern adaptation of the stories that provided the old "Broken Arrow" TV series, in which an Indian agent worked closely with Cochise, chief of the Apache nation, in an effort to keep the terms of treaties that were being broken.Add to that current day members of the Navajo nation interacting with law enforcement officials to solve a crime, and what do you have? The continuing saga of Native Americans trying to survive in a society that is totally foreign to them and matching wits with the law.For the same reasons that I love watching Westerns on TV, whether it's "The Rifleman" reruns on Saturday mornings or the new "Longmire" on Monday night, I was drawn to read "the next" book in this series.Sometimes familiarity with the original helps one understand stories that follow, and I believe that to be the case with the "Navajo Nation Mystery" series.Happy reading!

A quire different style and approach from the Hillermans' series. I like the focus shared between Navajo and neighboring nations, especially Utes. Setting largely on the Utah portion of the Navajo Nation is unusual and refreshing. Likeable main characters, suitably evil villains, almost too- intricate storyline, great sense of geographical place, and satisfying ending.Fine writing. Author gets extra points for including and explaining lots of Navajo vocabulary, but loses some of them by not including tone marks in the spelling.

Very well observed and researched. Some laugh out loud lines, despite serious issues. Highly recommended to those interested in Native American history and culture.

What a great read, I have been interested in books about the Navaho and this author is wonderful. What a great,series, what a great read

Really have enjoyed this, the second in the trilogy. Mr Chappell knows how to weave a story! Recommended very highly! Now for the third...!

I love these books there is nothing I didn't like I'm looking forward to the 3 rd one I enjoy learning about the Navaho people

Excellent, comparable to Tony Hillerman.