Hillerman's novels about Chee and Leaphorn are fun to discuss, as well as to read. Mystery fans love the interaction of the main characters with the sometimes conflicting cultures of the Navajo and America-at-large. Skinwalkers offers ample material for stimulating discussions of cultural beliefs at variance with one another, for instance the Navajo supernatural beliefs that differ from those of Leaphorn and other police investigators. By placing Chee and Leaphorn in the same novel, Hillerman emphasizes the differing approaches to living represented by Chee's immersion in the Navajo culture and Leaphorn's rationalistic views. The characterizations are fun, the conflicts are interesting, and the mystery is engrossing, making Skinwalkers ideal for group discussions.

1. Should Chee learn to live in Landon's world? Should Landon learn to live in his? Which one is right?

2. How well depicted is cultural conflict in the novel? Does Hillerman take sides?

3. What is...