I picked up a Tony Hillerman novel - the wailing wind. Come to find out Hillerman has written a long series with both of the main characters - should I start at the beginning?? going back to 1970????

I know some people don't mind reading out of order - but I am one of those people who must read it in order, unless it is a stand alone novel - but if there are personal story lines that carry through - I hate not reading them in order.

I guess my question is - is it a strong series order?? and how far back should I go?

thanks!!

I LOVE Tony Hillerman and his Leaphorn/Chee series.  I would definitely recommend reading the books in order and if you're going to do that, you might as well begin at the beginning!  Tony Hillerman passed away just a couple of months ago so unfortunately, we won't be getting any more mysteries from him.  Everything that I've ever heard or read about Hillerman indicates that he was a humble and very generous man.  It would have been nice to have met him.

thanks for the reply LeeAnne!

It looks like he wrote 3 books back in the 70's about Joe Leaphorn and then wrote 3 books about Jim Chee in the 80's

then in 1986 he started the series they were both in. do you think I should go back and read the others or just start with Skinwalkers the first novel they were both in, anyone know?

I'd start at the very beginning if Iwere you. I've read his books and enjoyed them but It took a couple of books till I really got into him.

If you can't find the books from the beginning of the series, don't let that keep you from reading these outstanding books.

He was guest of honor at a mystery convention I attended a few years ago. Good writer, wonderful person.

Here's his obit:    http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/books/28hillerman.html

I don't know how the series runs but I have some of his books listedin my bookshelf.  Give them a look.

I think you would still enjoy the books quite a bit if you read them out of order. 

I might add that there is another writer who writes Southwest books you might enjoy named Margaret Coel.  I think she has written 4 or 5 books, but they are all really good.