The Hillermans

Tony Hillerman

 Tony Hillerman, born in Sacred Heart,Oklahoma in 1925, died on October 26, 2008 at age 83. Hillerman is known for his well received Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee books, and upon his death, Hillerman’s daughter Anne has continued the series. Among the awards won by Hillerman during his career are the 1974 Edgar for best novel, the 1987 Grand Prix de Littérature Policière, the 1988 Anthony Award, the 1991 Nero Award, and the 1995 Anthony Award.

Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee Books:

1. The Blessing Way (1970)
2. Dance Hall of the Dead (1973)
3. Listening Woman (1978)
4. People of Darkness (1980)
5. The Dark Wind (1982)
6. The Ghostway (1984)
7. Skinwalkers (1986)
8. A Thief of Time (1988)
9. Talking God (1989)
10. Coyote Waits (1990)
11. Sacred Clowns (1993)
12. The Fallen Man (1996)
13. The First Eagle (1998)
14. Hunting Badger (1999)
15. The Wailing Wind (2002)
16. The Sinister Pig (2003)
17. Skeleton Man (2004)
18. The Shape Shifter (2006)

Books 1-3 Feature only Joe Leaphorn

Books 4-6 Feature only Jim Chee

Books 7-18 Feature both men working together 

Anne Hillerman

Anne Hillerman, born in Lawton, Oklahoma in 1949, continued the Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee series after her father’s death in 2008. Her first effort, Spider Woman’s Daughter was awarded the 2014 Spur Award for Best First Novel from the Western Writers of America. Anne soon modified the series by adding a female deputy, Bernadette Manuelito to the main character mix. 

Joe Leaphorn, Jim Chee, and Bernadette Manuelito Books:

1. Spider Woman’s Daughter (2013)
2. Rock with Wings (2015)
3. Song of the Lion (2017)
4. Cave of Bones (2018)
5. The Tale Teller (2019)
6. Stargazer (2021)
7. The Sacred Bridge (2022)
8. The Way of the Bear (2023)
9. Lost Birds (2024)
10. Shadow of the Solstice (2025)

Anne Hillerman’s legacy novels are now marketed as “Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito” novels.