I first encountered Hillerman's work in the late 80s/early 90s and was intrigued by the back drop of Native American Navajo culture and the Arizona setting. Sad to say I haven't picked one of Hillerman's books up for a long time.
Hillerman commenced the series with The Blessing Way published in 1970. The eighteenth book was The Shape Shifter which dropped in 2006, two years before the author's death at the age of 83.
His daughter Anne has continued with the series, contributing five further books.
Talking God (1989)
"An original crime story ... a classy and intelligent read" Time Out
Skeleton Man (2004)
Former Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn comes out of retirement to help investigate what seems to be a trading post robbery. The simpleminded boy nailed for the crime needs help, and Chee and his fiancee, Bernie Manuelito, decide to provide it.The key to proving the boy's innocence lies in a horrific airline disaster that occurred fifty years ago. Amongst the cliffs of the Grand Canyon lie the remains of a passenger who had handcuffed to his wrist an attache case filled with a fortune in diamonds - one of which has turned up in the robbery.
But with Hillerman it's never that simple. More people are searching for the body, and some are willing to kill to lay their hands upon the precious cache. Culminating deep in the canyon during a thunderous monsoon, it's a race to the finish to see who will survive, who will be brought to justice and who will finally unearth the Skeleton Man.
Tony Hillerman's work has never disappointed me, Col. Along with everything else, he had a way of sharing the Navajo culture and the lifestyle in that part of the US without overburdening the reader with information. And the plots themselves are very well done. I hope you'll enjoy those outings.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I knew you were a fan. I like the blend of mystery, alongside finding out a bit about another culture. I ought to read him again soon.
DeleteI haven’t read anything by Hillerman in a very long time. Thanks for the reminder, Col.
ReplyDeleteWe're in the same boat, Elgin.
DeleteFrom first coming upon books by Tony Hillerman in the 80’s, I have never been disappointed..
ReplyDeleteKt - another fan! Yay!
DeleteOh I should definitely pick up one of his again, I always really enjoyed them and found the setting so informative. Another place where our tastes collide!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, I'm scratching my head trying to think when I last read him.
DeleteI have never read anything by Hillerman, Col, even though I have 2 or 3 of his books. I will have to read one before the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteTracy, that's interesting. With the number of books you read I felt sure you must have tried him at least once.
DeleteI read Skeleton Man many yonks ago and enjoyed it, but for some reason never followed up on Hillerman. Thanks for the reminder that I should amend this neglect.
ReplyDeleteI think my few reads were some of the early ones. I'm wondering whereabouts to restart with him.
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