“Dance Hall of the Dead” - A Classic By Tony Hillerman

For those who don't know him, Anthony (Tony) Hillerman was born on May 27, 1925 in Sacred Heart, Oklahoma. He was famous for authoring books about the Southwest, and in particular, books about the Navajo, of which he wrote 18. In his career, he has more than 30 books to his credit. His highly successful books can be found in eight different languages and many have been made into movies. Hillerman, whose literary efforts were consistent best-sellers, died in October of 2008 in Albuquerque. He was 83.

Tony Hillerman’s classic, “Dance Hall of the Dead,” was released back in 1973. Like several of Hillerman’s best-sellers, “Dance Hall of the Dead” is a story that is centered around Native Americans and detective Joe Leaphorn. It was the second in a series of novels that started with Hillerman’s first novel, “The Blesing Way,” which was published three years earlier. “Dance Hall of the Dead” is also part of the Joe Leaphorn mysteries that include “The Blessing Way,” “Dance Hall of the Dead” and “Listening Woman.”.

The story gets its title from the Zuni Indian’s sacred lake of the same name. The story involves Leaphorn’s determination and tracking skills to find a boy named George Bowlegs. Bowleg’s friend had been murdered, and Bowlegs is missing and in grave danger. The story makes for an interesting and exciting plot, as do all of Hillerman‘s classics.

The Mystery Writers of America presented Hillerman with a Best Novel award for “Dance Hall of the Dead” in 1974. Hillerman represents a tradition in American literature. In fact, several books have also been written about him. “Dance Hall of the Dead” is definitely a classic and a benchmark for other authors as they strive to capture the essence of the old Southwest.