🎯 Where Should I Start?
ⓘ About Tony Hillerman
Anthony (Tony) Grove Hillerman was born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma in 1925. He was the youngest of three children. His father was a farmer and store keeper. From 1930-1938, Tony Hillerman attended St. Mary’s Academy, a boarding school that was primarily for Native American girls. It was here that he developed an understanding and appreciation of the Native American culture which influenced the subject matter of his books. In high school he attended another primarily Native American school, Konawa High School. After a brief stint in college, Hillerman returned home to the farm to work. In World War II, he became a decorated war veteran, serving as a mortarman for the 103rd Infantry Division. While in the military, Hillerman received a Bronze Star, a Silver Star, and a Purple Heart.
All Book Series by Tony Hillerman
Spider Woman's Daughter
Book 19 of 29 · published 2013 Anthology · Anne Hillerman
Shadow of the Solstice
Book 28 of 29 · published 2025 Anthology · Anne Hillerman
Bloodline: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel
Latest in the series · book 29 of 29 · published 2027 Anthology · Anne Hillerman
The Great Taos Bank Robbery: And Other True Stories
Latest in the series · book 3 of 3 · published 2023
Buster Mesquite's Cowboy Band
Latest in the series · book 2 of 2 · published 2001
The Great Taos Bank Robbery and Other Indian Country Affairs
Series opener · book 1 of 9 · published 1973
Talking Mysteries: A Conversation With Tony Hillerman
Book 6 of 9 · published 1991 Co-authored · Ernie Bulow
The Serpent's Tongue: Prose, Poetry, and Art of the New Mexican Pueblos
Book 4 of 9 · published 1997
? Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tony Hillerman?
Anthony (Tony) Grove Hillerman was born in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma in 1925. He was the youngest of three children. His father was a farmer and store keeper.
Which Tony Hillerman series should I start with?
The best place to start is the Leaphorn & Chee series, the earliest of Tony Hillerman's multi-book series: it opens with The Blessing Way (1970) and runs to 29 books across 1970–2027, ending with Bloodline: A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel (2027).
How many books has Tony Hillerman written?
Tony Hillerman has 54 books catalogued in this guide, published between 1970 and 2027. 29 of them belong to 1 named series — the largest being the Leaphorn & Chee series with 29 books — and 25 are standalone titles, collections or anthologies.
In what order should Tony Hillerman's series be read?
Read each series in publication order — the numbered entries in each series follow the year each book first appeared. Tony Hillerman's series do not depend on one another, so they can be started in any order; by start date they are Leaphorn & Chee (1970–2027, 29 books).
How are Tony Hillerman's books organised into series?
This guide splits Tony Hillerman's 54 books into 1 named series and 25 titles that stand alone or appear only in collections: Leaphorn & Chee (29 books, 1970–2027).