Jean's Reviews > Magpie Speaks

I have enjoyed reading this series about the Navajo and book five continues to delight. This story is more about Navajo mythology than the prior books. Two of the Navajo tricksters play a key role in the story, the magpie and the coyote.

Paul T’Sosi thinks he might be dying. Paul is a Hatalii, a Singer as the Navajo call their Holy Men. He has been working hard to protect his family and now Charlie’s new son from a curse. Edward Bitsinnii is Paul’s half brother, who also studied to be a Singer. Edward instead turned the power toward evil and is known as the “Witch of Ganado”. He put a curse on Paul and his family including Ponyboy. Paul’s granddaughter Alice has returned, she is dying of a brain tumor. All this is intertwined about a series of murders and the curse. Chappell builds the suspense mixed with the mythology and kept me on the edge of my seat.

The book is well written and researched. The story is a character study of the Navajo culture. Chappell also includes the Navajo attitude and mindset between the old ways and modern life. The author includes many Navajo words in the story as well as Navajo history. The book is fast paced and easy to read. The reader can just enjoy the murder mystery and learn more about the Navajo people in an exciting and easy manner. Chappell creates a surprise ending to the story. I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. Kaipo Schwab does an excellent job narrating the book.