Prolific author Tony Hillerman has written dozens of books. He was a very popular writer for many years, coming into his own as a writer after leaving the military a decorated veteran. One of the series that he is very well known for is his Southwest mystery series.
Coyote Wait is one of the books in the series and is considered by many to be the most popular books of Hillerman’s. The primary characters of the book, Detectives Chee and Leaphorn, have appeared together in this series before. Their synergy in the books is partially what makes the books so popular. This is coupled with extremely well-written Navajo cultural history and backdrops so many people enjoy reading these books for not only the mystery that is solved, but the backdrop in which they are written.
The main story line for the book is solving the murder of a policeman found burned to death. However, upon further review it is reveled it was indeed murder as the policeman was really killed with a gunshot. The book takes a series of turns and twists and has a recurring point of a coyote waiting in the wings, apparently hungry and watching. This coyote (some argue if there is symbolism to this character or not) is the basis for the name of the book.
Coyote Wait has been printed numerous times since its original publishing in 1990 and in fact, was featured as a TV movie. Both the book and the movie have been met with critical acclaim that does not waver even though the book is now almost twenty years old.
