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.
