Tony Hillerman recently died at the age of 83 from pulmonary failure in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A hero during World War II, he was awarded various medals, including the Silver Star and Purple Heart. During his career, Hillerman has become a journalist and eventually went on to obtain his Master’s degree. He later taught Journalism at the University of Mexico. Throughout his life, he became a best-selling author, and as a result was much appreciated by fans, fellow authors and critics alike.

Although Hillerman wrote numerous books, he is perhaps best known for his mysteries. These books present crime in its present day, which often concerns ancient ways in today’s world. These books focused on long-held beliefs and customs. Set in Southwest Indian Reservations, his mysteries involved the tribal police. Among his best books were Skinwalkers, Leaphorn, and Chee and More, featuring his most used characters Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police. Most of Hillerman’s mystery novels, beginning with "The Blessing Way" in 1970, in fact centered around these two skilled detectives. This likely stemmed from Hillerman’s proximity to the Navajo, Hopi and Zuni tribes. Hillerman culminated his efforts in some eighteen novels which centered on the Southwest Indian Reservations. In his book Skinwalkers, a bomb explodes in the headquarters of Leaphorn and Chee. This leads to an investigation into witchcraft. In "A Thief of Time," an anthropologist disappears at a Native American archeological site.

Although Tony Hillerman was involved in both journalism and writing, he is best known for being the Man of Mystery. His lifetime of contribution culminated with him being awarded with the Grand Master and Edgar awards of the Mystery Writers of America, of which he was President. Other awards have included the Silver Spur award, as well as the Navajo Tribe’s Special Friend Award.