Can I get some thoughts from Tony Hillerman fans? (Spoiler alert)

[Number9Dream]

I've been reading '3 Classic Joe Leaphorn Mysteries' by Tony Hillerman. I decided that these would be a good introduction to Joe Leaphorn. Three mysteries in one volume. I finished "The Blessing Way", and enjoyed it very much. I finished "Dance Hall of the Dead", and though I liked most of it, I think the ending went over my head. Hillerman fans correct me if I'm wrong. The killer (Reynolds) was, in turn, killed by three unknown Zunis(?). Was Reynolds killed because these 3 Zunis somehow discovered that he murdered the Zuni teenager? Or was it because of the Zuni religious sacrilege? Both reasons? I hate endings that leave it up to the reader to guess what happened. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Started "Listening Woman". I hope it has a good ending.

[TexasProgresive]

1. I can't help you because I read those years ago

I do have a question for you about your namb, Number9Dream. Is that I reference to the Beatles song "Revolution 9"?

Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9
Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9
Number 9, number 9, number 9, number 9
Number 9, number 9, number

Then there's this Welsh rabbit wearing some brown underpants
About the shortage of grain in Hertfordshire
Everyone of them knew that as time went by
They'd get a little bit older and a little bit slower but

It's the only record that we ever got anything out of backwards. "Turn me on, dead man."

[Number9Dream]

2. A John Lennon song off 'Walls and Bridges'

[TexasProgresive]

3. 9 comes a lot with Lennon including his birthday. n/t

[scarletwoman]

4. Wish I could help, but it's been over 30 years since I read that one.

I got started on Hillerman in the early 80s, started reading his earliest books in order, and then stayed caught up with each subsequent book he wrote through all the years up to and including his final Leaphorn and Chee book which came out in 2006.

Personally, one of the things I always liked about Hillerman's Leaphorn/Chee books is that he left a little space for ambiguity. To me, that's what made his books so much more than ordinary whodunnits. The real question at the heart of each story is this: Will balance and harmony be restored?

[Number9Dream]

5. Thanks for replying

I guess the fact that the murderer got what was coming to him restored the balance (harmony not so much). I'll keep what you said in mind as I read "Listening Woman".

[hermetic]

6. It's been ages

since I last read Hillerman but I plan on reading again soon.

This page links to hundreds of reviews of that book. http://www.fictiondb.com/author/tony-hillerman~dance-hall-of-the-dead~63591~b.htm
I read through a few of them and the general consensus seems to be that the ending is confusing, unsatisfactory, leaves you wondering. If you want to take the time to read through all the reviews you might find some that actually speculate on the meaning, but it would still just be speculation.

Maybe there's an interview out there somewhere with Mr. Hillerman where he discusses it. I Googled and found this which seems to be meant for you (node/9). http://ehillerman.unm.edu/ehillerman/node/9

[Number9Dream]

7. Thanks for taking the time to provide links and thoughts

All of you in the Fiction group are just great.

[Enthusiast]

8. I would gladly help but those were the first Hillerman books I read and quite a while back.

My memory of books is not good anyway. Mrs. Enthusiast on the other hand has an incredible book memory. I'll ask her when she gets home.

The endings in the later Leaphorn-Chee books don't leave us with questions and are generally speaking more satisfying.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

9. I did all of his - but it was a long time ago

for me one was the best

skin walkers I think

[Paladin]

10. I think "A Thief Of Time" is an absolute classic.

I like all the Hillerman books, but that one really impressed me.