The Most Popular Tony Hillerman Book, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the book you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 8, 2024 06:52
For enthusiasts of mystery and suspense woven with Native American culture, the books by Tony Hillerman present a unique literary journey. Each story dives deep into the landscapes of the American Southwest, blending intrigue with cultural depth. By ranking these books, readers can help guide newcomers to a starting point that promises captivating reading experiences.
Such a ranking system not only highlights the most celebrated works but also ignites discussions among fans about the nuances that make one book perhaps more engaging than another. Through voting, each reader contributes to a collective insight, helping to signal which of Hillerman’s novels resonate most profoundly with audiences. This interactive process enriches the community's overall appreciation and understanding of his work.
What Is the Most Popular Tony Hillerman Book?
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169votes
The Blessing Way
Tony HillermanThis is Hillerman's debut novel and the first in his Navajo detective series, introducing the beloved characters of Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. It has received critical acclaim and is considered a classic of the genre.The Blessing Way is a bestselling novel written by Tony Hillerman. It is the first book from the Navajo Mystery series, featuring the renowned Navajo Tribal Police officer, Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn. The story is set in the Southwestern United States and explores themes of Navajo culture, spirituality, and the clash between traditional beliefs and modern ways of life. The Blessing Way takes readers on a gripping journey as Leaphorn investigates a series of mysterious murders and uncovers a complex web of tensions and secrets.- Series: Navajo Mystery
- Publication Year: 1970
- Setting: Southwestern United States
- Protagonist: Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn
- Themes: Navajo culture, spirituality, clash of traditions
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228votes
Dance Hall of the Dead
Tony HillermanThis is the second novel in the Navajo detective series and won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1974. The intricate plot and cultural authenticity make it a fan favorite.Dance Hall of the Dead is a mystery novel written by Tony Hillerman. It is the second book in the popular Navajo detective series featuring characters Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. The story revolves around a murder that occurs during a tribal celebration, involving the mysterious death of a young Zuni boy. As the investigation unfolds, Leaphorn and Chee uncover deep cultural tensions and a complex web of secrets.- Publication date: 1973
- Genre: Mystery, Detective Fiction
- Setting: Southwestern United States, Navajo Reservation
- Protagonists: Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee
- Themes: Native American culture, religious beliefs, tribal conflict
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323votes
A Thief of Time
Tony HillermanThis novel is the eighth in the Navajo detective series and was a New York Times bestseller. It explores the theft of Native American artifacts and the clash between traditional values and modernity.A Thief of Time is a mystery novel written by Tony Hillerman. It is the eighth book in the Navajo detective series featuring the main characters, Joe Leaphorn, a retired Navajo Tribal Police lieutenant, and Jim Chee, a sergeant in the Navajo Tribal Police. The story revolves around a missing anthropologist and the theft of ancient, valuable artifacts. The detectives are tasked with unraveling the mystery and discovering the truth behind the crimes.- Series: Navajo detective series
- Main Characters: Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee
- Genre: Mystery
- Publication Year: 1988
- Setting: Navajo Nation, Southwestern United States
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412votesThis is the seventh novel in the Navajo detective series and was adapted into a TV movie. It delves into Navajo mythology and the concept of skinwalkers, or evil witches.Skinwalkers is a bestselling mystery novel written by Tony Hillerman. It is part of his Navajo Tribal Police series, featuring detectives Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. The story takes place on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico, where a series of bizarre murders occur, involving Navajo witchcraft and supernatural elements. As the detectives investigate, they must navigate the cultural beliefs, customs, and tensions within the Navajo community. The book explores themes of tradition, spirituality, and the clash between modernity and ancient practices.
- Publication Year: 1986
- Genre: Mystery
- Setting: Navajo reservation, New Mexico
- Protagonists: Detectives Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee
- Series: Navajo Tribal Police
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515votes
Talking God
Tony HillermanThis novel is the ninth in the Navajo detective series and explores the intersection of Navajo spirituality and modern technology. It was a New York Times bestseller.Talking God is a gripping mystery novel written by Tony Hillerman. It is part of his renowned Navajo Mystery series, featuring the beloved characters Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn. In this thrilling story, Hillerman weaves together elements of Native American culture, crime, and spirituality to create a captivating narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.- Publication Year: 1989
- Genre: Mystery, Crime Fiction
- Setting: Southwestern United States
- Protagonists: Jim Chee, Joe Leaphorn
- Themes: Native American Culture, Spirituality, Crime Solving
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618votes
Coyote Waits
Tony HillermanThis is the tenth novel in the Navajo detective series and was a New York Times bestseller. It features a complex plot and explores the theme of cultural identity.Coyote Waits is a novel written by Tony Hillerman. It is part of the Leaphorn & Chee series, featuring Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. The book is a mystery thriller that takes place on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. In Coyote Waits, Leaphorn and Chee investigate the murder of a fellow officer and uncover a complex web of deception and intrigue involving drug smuggling, ancient tribal legends, and a powerful Navajo witch. As they delve deeper into the case, they must navigate both the modern world and the traditional Navajo culture to solve the mystery and bring the killer to justice.- Series: Leaphorn & Chee
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller
- Setting: Navajo reservation in New Mexico
- Protagonists: Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee
- Plot: Murder investigation, drug smuggling, tribal legends, Navajo witch
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79votes
The Wailing Wind
Tony HillermanThis novel is the fifteenth in the Navajo detective series and was a New York Times bestseller. It involves a missing person case and touches on themes of family and loyalty.The Wailing Wind is a popular book written by Tony Hillerman. It falls under the mystery genre and is part of his renowned Navajo Detective series. The story revolves around retired Navajo Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn, who becomes involved in a missing person investigation. As he delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a web of secrets, betrayal, and long-held grudges in the Navajo community. The book is known for its atmospheric writing, vivid portrayal of Navajo culture, and intricate plot that keeps readers engaged till the end.- Genre: Mystery
- Series: Navajo Detective series
- Publication Year: 2002
- Setting: Navajo Reservation, Southwestern United States
- Protagonist: Joe Leaphorn
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811votes
The Sinister Pig
Tony HillermanThis novel is the sixteenth and final in the Navajo detective series and was a New York Times bestseller. It deals with corruption in politics and law enforcement.The Sinister Pig is a crime fiction novel written by Tony Hillerman. It was published in 2003 and is part of the iconic Leaphorn & Chee series. The story follows the Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee as they investigate a complex case involving the disappearance of a CIA agent and a valuable Mexican smuggler.- Publication Year: 2003
- Series: Leaphorn & Chee
- Genre: Crime fiction
- Setting: Navajo Nation
- Protagonists: Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee
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96votes
The Shape Shifter
Tony HillermanThis novel is the eighteenth and final book Hillerman wrote before his death. It features both Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, who team up to solve a case involving a missing Navajo artifact.The Shape Shifter is a crime fiction novel written by Tony Hillerman. It is part of the popular Navajo detective series featuring characters Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. The story takes place in the vast landscapes of the American Southwest, where the Navajo tribal police investigate a case involving the murder of a retired Navajo tribal police lieutenant. As they delve into the investigation, they uncover a complex web of secrets, betrayals, and tribal politics.- Genre: Crime Fiction
- Series: Navajo Detectives
- Setting: American Southwest
- Protagonists: Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee
- Plot: Murder investigation
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106votes
Spider Woman's Daughter
Anne HillermanThis novel is not part of the Navajo detective series but features the daughter of Joe Leaphorn as the main character. It was highly praised for its continuation of Hillerman's legacy and its exploration of Native American culture.Spider Woman's Daughter is a crime fiction novel, written by Tony Hillerman's daughter, Anne Hillerman. It serves as a continuation of Tony Hillerman's popular mystery series, featuring Navajo Tribal Police officers Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn.- Genre: Crime Fiction
- Publication Year: 2013
- Setting: Navajo Nation, Southwest United States
- Main Characters: Jim Chee, Joe Leaphorn, Bernadette Manuelito
- Follow-up Book: Rock with Wings
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Ranking factors for popular book
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Critical acclaimReviews from literary critics and author awards can provide an indication of the quality and popularity of each book.
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Reader reviewsReviews from readers on sites like Goodreads and Amazon can give an idea of how well-liked each book is among fans of the author.
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Overall impactConsider the impact the book has made in terms of cultural relevance, influence on subsequent works and contribution to the author's body of work.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Tony Hillerman book. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or book is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2528 views
- 199 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each book once every 24 hours. The rank of each book is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular tony hillerman book
Tony Hillerman was an American author of detective novels and non-fiction works. He was best known for his works featuring Navajo tribal police officers, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. Hillerman's books were widely popular and received critical acclaim for their rich storytelling, detailed character development and vivid descriptions of the Southwest landscape. His books remain a favorite among mystery and thriller enthusiasts, and have been adapted into movies and television shows. Hillerman's legacy continues to inspire writers and readers alike, making him one of the most celebrated authors of his time. In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of Hillerman's most popular books and explore why they continue to captivate readers around the world.
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