The story line of Tony Hillerman's, "A Thief of Time" is set in the the mid west during the current era. Mysterious events center around various Native American reservations. The characters are Native American; they are described as ordinary characters who are able to draw in one's imagination, and capture their interest with their captivating characteristics. Though some critiques have stated Hillerman's, "A Thief of Time" is nothing special, fans of Hillerman rave, "A Thief of Time" is Hillerman's best work.

Many critiques were very hard on "A Thief of Time". They stated that the book lacked interest, and could put the reader to sleep. Further critiques have said that not only is the plot far to small, the story lacks a climax or a good ending. Hillerman is noted as stating, "My books are enjoyed by many and as such I do not worry about what critics think of my work". His statement has proven fairly true, as there is a large amount of Hillerman fans who support his works extensively. It can also been seen in the amount of books that Hillerman has sold to date.

The plot is fairly simple, however also fairly unique. The main plot is based around the disappearance of an anthropologist, who is believed to be selling Native American artifacts on the black market. During the search for the anthropologist, the police discover what kind of person the anthropologist is. They also uncover other illegal activities, which may be related to her disappearance.

Tony Hillerman's book, "The Ghostway", derives its title from an old Native American custom. This event was a ceremony for purification and healing. The event comes into play during a murder investigation. The investigation is headed up by Police Officer Jim Chee, who works with the Navajo Tribal Police of Arizona.

Jim Chee is a character developed through a series of books by Hillerman. "The Ghostway" is the sixth volume of the series. This series also features Chee's boss, Joe Leaphorn; however, Jim Chee carries the majority of exposure in this sixth volume.

There are a host of colorful characters and tribal traditions introduced in this novel. Joseph Joe, an 81 year old Navajo, leads the character list by being a direct witness to a double shooting and murder. Mary Landon is the girlfriend of Police Officer Jim Chee. Three other characters are introduced as Vaggan, Margaret Billy Sosi, and Ashie Beagy. The novel describes the nickname given to Joseph Joe as Hosteen. This is a term meaning old man and it shows respect to the elder. The Hogan and its ghost are detailed as a special place and superstition for the Native Americans.

The major screen change in the novel is the shift to LA to assist in solving a murder, and perhaps preventing another murder. As with other Hillerman novels, "The Ghostway" is rife with suspense. The plots involve the same old problems of territorial and race issues among the inhabitants of the dry desert. This novel will keep you glued to your seat until the end.

"The Flute Can Boy was the first to see it. He stopped and stared. ‘Somebody lost a boot,’ he said. Even from where he stood, at least fifteen yards farther from down the trail, Albert Lomatewa could see that nobody had lost the boot.’ These are the first four sentences of Tony Hillerman’s novel "The Dark Wind." Instantly, the reader is swept away into the mystery that leads to a mutilated body found in the desert. One of the biggest problems is that the body is that of a Navajo discovered on Hopi Indian land.

The novel is part of a series by Tony Hillerman. "The Dark Wind" is the second book in the series. The novels involve a continual conflict between two Indian tribes, the Navajo and the Hopi. The problem is concerned with the ownership of desert lands inhabited by the two tribes. Hillerman created two main characters that intertwine within the novel series. They are Navajo policeman Jim Chee and his boss, Joe Leaphorn.

Officer Jim Chee, working with the Navajo Tribal Police of Arizona, is confronted with seemingly insurmountable problems. "The Dark Wind" is filled with mystery and intrigue. Plots and subplots deal with revenge and political involvement. There is a touch of witchcraft. Plus, there are the formidable drug dealers and the hard-working FBI agents. As well, there is the constant tension between the Anglos, the Navajos and the Hopis.

"The Dark Wind" is a real thriller. It was made into a popular movie, starring Lou Diamond Phillips as Officer Chee.

"The Dark Wind" is a novel written by Tony Hillerman in 1982. This is the second novel Tony Hillerman has written based on the same characters. This book is 320 pages long and an audio recording is available, narrated by George Guidall. In 1991, the book was made into a movie directed by Errol Morris, starring Lou Diamond Phillips, Fred Ward, John Karlen, and Gary Farmer.

When the book begins, Jim Chee has just graduated from college and had taken up a job in Arizona as an officer with the Navajo Tribal Police. With the help of his superior, Joe Leaphorn, keeping peace between the Navajo and Hopi that were sharing the same territory was the main focus of the job.

Later on, Sheriff Dashee of the Hopi law enforcement group finds a body that had its palms and soles scalped and has been lying dead in the desert for some time. He believes the dead body was somehow linked to a recent robbery at the reservation's trading post. Jake West is a manager of a Hopi shop and strongly believes that a drug dealer from the Navajo group by the name of Joe Musket is responsible for the murder. Officer Chee and his superior officer Leaphorn now have to investigate a robbery, a murder, and a plane crash.

After a somewhat slow start and what seems to be a boring plot, the setting starts to pick up and the intense action becomes more intriguing. The book has all the right ingredients of murder, creed, and revenge to make a great mystery and suspense novel.

As many of Tony Hillerman's books "Dance of the Dead" is set in modern times around Navajo and Zuñi communities. The plot centers on a 13 year old Zuñi boy named Ernesto, who has received the honor of playing a key part in the holy Shalako ceremony. Shortly after learning of this honor the young boy disappears during his training for the ceremony. During the search for the boy, police learn that the boy's best friend is also missing.

The mystery picks up speed and interest once Ernesto's body is found, shocking the investigators as Ernesto is nearly decapitated. Suspects are few and include the other missing boy's (George) father who lives in a commune. After interviewing the boy's father, the investigators learn of an archaeological dig where controversial relics are thought to be waiting to be uncovered by a very famous archaeologist who is using students to assist their dig.

Through many of Hillerman's books readers learn of Navajo and Zuni traditions, beliefs, and the way they live in today's world, while leading readers through ups and downs, through mysterious places and the discovery of many shady characters. Though critiques are very critical of this series Hillerman's books fans are swept away by the vivid images Hillerman is able to portray as well as the intriguing plot line that is far from the ordinary mystery novel as one can get as the novels takes place in a unique culture.