The New York Times’ obituary of Tony Hillerman, dead at 83, covers his life and work with great detail. He was indeed one of our finest mystery writers. His work centered around the Southwest and were set around Native Americans and their lives.
But I wanted particularly to mention his 1971 novel, The Fly on the Wall, which I consider one of the best about journalism. It’s quite dated from a several standpoints, but it goes deep into the recesses where reporters and politicians live in often-rancid symbiosis.
Certainly Hillerman deserved his acclaim for the Navajo stories. Journalists and the people who care about the craft should read this one, too.
on Oct 27th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Literary Agent Nathan Bransford also offers his condolences.
on Oct 29th, 2008 at 8:19 pm
I have recommended this book to countless reporters and others in the years since I read it, in the early 1970w, in Anchorage. It’s a masterpiece. Thanks for the tribute, Dan.