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The New York Times Reported on Monday, October 27, 2008 that Tony Hillerman died Sunday at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. He was 83. Click here for the article.

Tony Hillerman became a best-selling author with his series of mysteries set in the Southwest and featuring two protagonists in the Navajo tribal Police, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. He wrote with the avowed purpose of instilling in his readers a respect for Native American culture. “It’s always troubled me that the American people are so ignorant of these rich Indian cultures,� Mr. Hillerman once told Publishers Weekly. “I think it’s important to show that aspects of ancient Indian ways are still very much alive and are highly germane even to our ways.�

I believe I have read most of his mysteries and I revelled in the depth of cultural details revealed. Most stories revolve around the conflict the protagonists feel between the modern world and their personal need to retain contact with their roots. Usually the mystery is solved by applying ancient and also common-sense wisdom, though the mysteries are satisfyingly complex, multilayered, and involve very modern crimes.

The books are humorous and wry in places because Hillerman brought great human insight to his books. In the short space of a mystery novel he managed to draw believable and engaging protagonists, and also believable bad men.

Everyone's actions are driven by the social, cultural, and economic situations on the contemporary reservation, which is described very vividly, as is the stark and beautiful scenery of the area, which inevitably plays a great part in the plots.

You can find Hillerman's books in our catalog. If you would like similar books by other authors, you could check out Novelist, a book recommendation website provided by the library and found on Readers Place.

Some similar books are:

The Three Sisters by James D. Doss Find this book in our catalog
Turquois Girl: an Ella Chah Novel by Aimee and David Thurlo Find this book in our catalog
Spirit Sickness by Kirk Mitchell Find this book in our catalog

Labels: Aimee Thurlo, James D. Doss, Kirk Mitchell, Spirit Sickness, Three Sisters, Tony Hillerman, Turquois Girl