I really needed a break from language courses and the news, so I was looking for an entertaining, relatively short read. An audiobook of Boy Made of Dawn by R. Allen Chappell turned out to be the perfect choice. I read the first book in the series a few years ago, so I already knew what to expect. Once again, my favorite part was the setting—the Navajo and Ute reservations—along with the fascinating snippets of Native American history, culture, and way of life. There wasn't much in the way of de...

Boy Made of Dawn by R. Allen Chappell is the second installment in a gripping mystery series set on the Navajo Nation. It was a pleasure to reconnect with Charlie Yazzi and Thomas Bagay as they set out on a high-stakes quest to rescue Bagay’s children from dangerous foes. This journey takes our protagonists deep into treacherous Ute territory, making for a tense and immersive read. If you enjoy exploring the nuanced differences between Ute and Navajo traditions and want to dive into the unique a...

Boy Made of Dawn - a review by Rosemary KennyThe eponymous boy is Caleb, the son of Thomas Begay. Along with his sister, Ida Marie, he has been separated from their mother, Sally Clee, to keep her from testifying as a prosecution witness in the Patsy Greyhorse murder trial. George Jim is hired by his uncle, Hiram Buck, to track down Sally’s hiding spot and to persuade Charlie Yazzie—Thomas’ friend and a local lawyer/investigator on the reservation—to help locate Caleb. However, the hidden agenda...

I am truly enjoying this series. I was a huge fan of Tony Hillerman, and these stories remind me of his writing style, but with an extra layer of suspense. Having lived in the Southwest for seven years, I really appreciate the slower pace and the friendly neighbors—a stark contrast to the self-centered, inconsiderate creeps I live next to here in New York. I used to live on a road that eventually led to the Navajo and Hopi reservations. If you ever pulled over by the side of the road, there were...

This is the second installment in the series, though it was my first time diving in, and I found Boy Made of Dawn by R. Allen Chappell to be a solid, quick read. It’s clear the author is still hitting his stride with this entry, but that’s not enough to distract from the story. The characters are sketched out well enough that I’m genuinely interested in getting to know them better, and the mystery itself is tightly plotted—so, mission accomplished on the basics. While this probably isn't a book ...

If you love Tony Hillerman, you will enjoy R. Allen Chappell's writings about the American Southwest. I have greatly enjoyed all of Tony Hillerman's books; in fact, last year I started to reread his entire Navajo series in order, and they are every bit as good as I remember. Boy Made of Dawn is the second installment in his Navajo Nation Mystery series, and it is every bit as compelling as his debut. Additionally, his deep knowledge of the local culture and his ability to craft genuine character...

A wonderful Navajo story

Boy Made of Dawn by R. Allen Chappell offers a beautiful, authentic look into Navajo traditions and culture. Reading it truly took me back to my own childhood on the reservation; it captures that spirit in such a meaningful way. If you are looking for a heartfelt book review of a story that honors Indigenous heritage, this is a must-read.

I really like this author; this is the second book of his that I've read, and I definitely plan to read all of his work. His writing style reminds me quite a bit of Tony Hillerman's classic mysteries. Boy Made of Dawn by R. Allen Chappell is the second book in a gripping series set within the Navajo Nation. The stories are incredibly well thought out and developed, and the rugged Southwest landscape of the reservation provides a fantastic backdrop. The more books of his that I read, the more I e...

I’ve mentioned before that I was searching for something similar to Tony Hillerman’s work. Well, I’ve found it with Boy Made of Dawn by R. Allen Chappell. My only real gripe is that his novels feel like they’re about half the length they should be, yet the price per word is comparable to a full-length novel. Having read all three of his books now, I’m confident his storytelling will only continue to improve—or at least, I certainly hope so. I have a real love for New Mexico and West Texas, so th...

A beautifully crafted start to a gripping read.Let's look at the opening lines:Man has always felt most vulnerable in that lonely netherworld between darkness and dawn. Often it is then death takes the sick and weak. They give up finally, unable to bear the weight of another day. A person may - not knowing why - suddenly awaken, if only for an instant, to assure himself all is well. Charlie woke that morning in the darkness with just such a feeling. It was now late afternoon and hunger was final...