The mystery writing world lost a giant this week with the death of Tony Hillerman at age 83. Mr. Hillerman set his novels on Southwest Indian reservations featuring Lt. Joe Leaphorn and Sgt. Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police. His Navajo mysteries include The Shape Shifters(2006), Skeleton Man (2004), The Sinister Pig (2003), The Wailing Wind (2002), Hunting Badger (1999), The First Eagle (1998), The Fallen Man (1997), Sacred Clowns (1993), Coyote Waits (1990), Talking God (1989), A Thief of Time(1988).

As a tribute to Mr. Hillerman, I am chosing one of his books for our Monday Mysteries book discussion in 2009.