walk in beauty, mr hillerman....walk in beauty. 

He was a bit of a controversial figure around the English Department when I was in grad school in Flagstaff.  Partly, I think, for the same reason (envy) I hate Steven King, but also because there was some feeling that as a white guy he shouldn't be writing about Navajo characters—an absurd position, really (where does that end?  women can't write about men?  men, women?  older people younger ones?  etc.).  I thought he handled the race issues that are part and parcel to life in the southwest with care and dignity, spinning a good yarn all the while.  RIP, Mr. Hillerman.

Reading his books, I always felt like I learned something about the Navajo/Dineh culture that I would never have otherwise known. He was a great storyteller.

RIP Mr. Hillerman.

 KevinM wrote: 
I loved his books too. He lived a long, full life — but it's sad to know that we won't be hearing any more about Joe Leaphorn or Jim Chee...

An author of quality popular entertainments, and nothing wrong with that for certain. Adios to the Bard of the Navajos.

I have read a couple too, liked them, atmospheric, sometimes a bit too slow, and too much focussed on relationships.

While I never read his stuff, my Mom loved his books.

Acclaimed author Tony Hillerman dies at 83