Tony Hillerman
Tony Hillerman was born on May 27th, 1925. Tony passed away October 26th, 2008 at 83 years old. Tony Hillerman was born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, USA.
Tony Hillerman is known for writing in the Mystery, Literary Fiction, and Crime Fiction genres.
Tony Hillerman was the author of the Leaphorn & Chee series which consists of 28 novels. The Leaphorn & Chee series started in 1970 with the novel The Blessing Way. The most recently released novel in the Leaphorn & Chee series was Shadow of the Solstice which was released in 2025. There are no upcoming novels for the Leaphorn & Chee series.
Tony Hillerman also wrote 9 Non-Fiction Books, including The Great Taos Bank Robbery and Other Indian Country Affairs and New Mexico, Rio Grande, and Other Essays.
Tony Hillerman was the original winner of the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award in 2005 although he became ill and was unable to accept his award therefore it was awarded to John Grisham.
Tony Hillerman: Awards & Accolades
Tony Hillerman has won multiple awards including: The Anthony Award, Lifetime Achievement Award, in 1994, Agatha Award, Malice Domestic Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2002, Helmerich Award, Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award, in 2005 and the Owen Wister Award, Saddleman Award, in 2008. Tony Hillerman was also nominated for the Edgar Award, Best Critical/Biographical Work, in 1992.
Hillerman's books have also won multiple awards, Dance Hall of the Dead won the Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1974. Skinwalkers won the Spur Awards, Western Novel, in 1987 as well as the Anthony Award - Best Mystery Novel in 1988. Coyote Waits won the Nero Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1991. The Shape Shifter won the Spur Awards, Best Western Short Novel, in 2007.
The following novels by Tony Hillerman were also nominated for these awards:
- The Blessing Way: Edgar Award, Best First Novel (1971).
- The Fly on the Wall: Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (1972).
- Listening Woman: Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (1979). National Book Awards, Best Mystery - Paperback (1980).
- Skinwalkers: Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (1987).
- A Thief of Time: Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (1989). Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (1989). Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (1989).
- Talking Mysteries: A Conversation With Tony Hillerman: Edgar Award, Best Critical/Biographical Work (1992).
- Sacred Clowns: Anthony Award, Best Mystery Novel (1994).
Tony Hillerman: Lists & Other Mentions
- A Thief of Time has made several lists including:
- Telerama: The 100 Best Thrillers Selection in 2024.
- Crime Writers' Association: Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time Selection in 1990.
- Mystery Writers of America: Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time Selection in 1995.
- Dance Hall of the Dead was a Mystery Writers of America: Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time Selection in 1995.
Related Authors
Fans of Tony Hillerman also enjoy these authors:
- Elly Griffiths, author of the Ruth Galloway Series.
- Anne Hillerman, author of the Leaphorn & Chee Series.
- Allen Eskens, author of the Detective Max Rupert Series.
- Dervla McTiernan, author of the Cormac Reilly Series.
- Archer Mayor, author of the Joe Gunther Series.
- Peter Lovesey, author of the Peter Diamond Series.
- Faith Martin, author of the DI Hillary Greene Series.
- Ellis Peters, author of the Chronicles of Brother Cadfael Series.
- J.A. Jance, author of the Joanna Brady Series.
- Mick Herron, author of the Slough House Series.
Tony Hillerman: F.A.Q
When was Tony Hillerman Born?
Tony Hillerman was born on May 27th, 1925.
When did Tony Hillerman die?
Tony Hillerman died on October 26th, 2008 at 83 years old.
Where was Tony Hillerman Born?
Tony Hillerman was born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma, USA.
What awards has Tony Hillerman won?
Tony Hillerman has won the following awards: Lifetime Achievement Award at the Anthony Award (1994), Malice Domestic Lifetime Achievement Award at the Agatha Award (2002), Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award at the Helmerich Award (2005) and the Saddleman Award at the Owen Wister Award (2008).
What book awards has Tony Hillerman won?
What was the first book Tony Hillerman wrote?
The first book written by Tony Hillerman was The Blessing Way, published in 1970.
What was the most recent book Tony Hillerman wrote?
His most recently released work was The Great Taos Bank Robbery: And Other True Stories on August 15th, 2023.
What is the most popular book by Tony Hillerman?
Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Tony Hillerman book is
The Blessing Way. Here are his most popular books:
- The Blessing Way (7.88)
- Dance Hall of the Dead (8)
- Listening Woman (8.6)
- The Dark Wind (8.25)
- The Ghostway (8.71)
What genres does Tony Hillerman Write?
Tony Hillerman primarily writes in the Crime Fiction, Literary Fiction, and Mystery genres. His work includes sub-genres such as Police Procedural, Crime Fiction Police Procedural, and Cops / Detectives.
How many books has Tony Hillerman written?
Tony Hillerman has written 34 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 18 books in the Leaphorn & Chee Series, 2 Standalone Novels, 3 Short Story Collections, 2 books in the Children's Books, 9 Non-Fiction Books.