He or she can read others' minds, control people’s thoughts and behavior, bring forth disease, destroy homes, and even cause death.

In addition to transforming into animals, the skinwalker has other powers. To affect this transformation, legends suggest that skin-walkers need to wear a pelt of the animals they desire to metamorphose into, though this is not always considered necessary. In some Native American myths, a skinwalker is a person with the supernatural ability to turn into any animal he or she desires. Not all Navajo witches are skinwalkers, but all skinwalkers are witches. Literally, the Navajo wolf, or witch, can also be referred to as a skinwalker. While Europeans warned of a wolf in sheep's clothing, some Native American tribal beliefs cautioned against a human in wolf's clothing.

Both the Navajo and the Hopi believe that human witches use or possibly abuse the wolf's powers to influence other people. The Navajo fear of wolves derives not from the nature of the animal but rather from the potential for monstrous behavior from humans. 'Hillerman is unique, and Skinwalkers is one of his best works yet.In Navajo, another word for 'wolf' is 'mai-coh,' meaning witch. 'Choice reading for plot, characters, and superb setting-don't miss Skinwalkers.' - Chicago Tribune 'Superb and pure pleasure to read.' - Washington Post Book World and into the dark and mystical domain of evil beings of Navajo legend, the 'skinwalkers.' But the investigation is leading them both into a nightmare of ritual, witchcraft, and blood. Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn wonders why Chee was a target and what connection the assault has to a series of gruesome murders that has been plaguing the reservation. He survives, but the inexplicable attack has raised disturbing questions about a lawman once beyond reproach. Three shotgun blasts rip through the side of Officer Jim Chee's trailer as the Navajo Tribal Policeman sleeps. But the investigation is leading them both into a nightmare of ritual, witchcraft, and blood-and into the dark and mystical domain of evil beings of Navajo legend, the 'skinwalkers''-Provided by publisher.ĭon't miss the TV series, Dark Winds, based on the Leaphorn, Chee, & Manuelito novels, now on AMC and AMC+!įrom New York Times bestselling author Tony Hillerman, Skinwalkers is the seventh novel featuring Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee-a riveting tale of sorcery, secrets, and murder. About the Book 'Three shotgun blasts rip through the side of Officer Jim Chee's trailer as the Navajo tribal policeman sleeps.

Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman