Point of View

The tale of the Skeleton Man is told in the third person. Joe Leaphorn, the detective retired from the Navajo Tribal Police, is the ostensible narrator. The novel begins with Joe and his coffee buddies sitting around the Navajo Inn diner rehashing the details of the Skeleton Man case. Joe's voice carries the tale through Chapter 2, but then the narrative changes to the "God's Eye" omniscient view. Joe's narrative voice does not return until the final chapter, except for a few scenes in which he is actively involved, to tie up the loose ends in a post narrative summary. Throughout the rest of the novel, although the narrative is generally omniscient, other characters have the opportunity to view events through their eyes. This proves an effective way to describe the topography, weather, flora and fauna of the Grand Canyon, particularly the canyon floor.

Setting

Skeleton Man...