The Blessing Way

Tony Hillerman grew up in central Oklahoma and spent his early career as a journalist in New Mexico — two locations that inspired a deep appreciation for Native American culture. At the fairly late age of 45, Hillerman began writing crime novels and used the setting of a Navajo reservation as the backdrop for what would become a popular and respected 18-book series. The novels in his so-called Navajo Tribal Police series are conventionally-structured detective mysteries, but feature credible plots, solid writing, and extensive detail on Navajo culture and beliefs. The first book in the series, The Blessing Way, is unfortunately one of the weaker books, but it is nonetheless a useful introduction and will enhance your appreciation of Hillerman’s superior sequel (Dance Hall of the Dead).