The Shape Shifter

The Shape Shifter (2006) by Tony Hillerman

Joe Leaphorn, the legendary retired Navajo policeman, solves a cold case.

Features a big dose of guilt about how poorly we treated the Hmong.

The skinwalker of the title turns out to be an ex-CIA spook.

Despite its flaws, I liked it, but the book got some poor reviews (see below, for example).

"Anyone who calls this one of Hillerman's best is insulting him. I have pages of reviews of his books and others like it at my site; this book is embarrassing. With the millions Hillerman has made in the Chee/Leaphorn franchise, he could hire an editor of his own to keep these books up to the standard Hillerman himself set and few have equalled. Instead, he is cranking out feeble imitations of his own work."

- Mick McAllister