by Pari
One of my favorite people, Tony Hillerman, died of pulmonary failure yesterday in an Albuquerque hospital. I’ll write about him next week. For now, I just wanted to mark his passing. While he lives forever in his books, it’s the man I’ll miss.
I know he’d want us to keep talking about candy and Halloween and writers’ foibles in the conversation below, so let’s do it.
I’m raising a Reese’s peanut cup to him right now . . .
Pari, I was stunned and deeply saddened by the passing of Tony Hillerman. I write this with tears in my eyes. There is a special place in my heart for this benevolent man. I owe him heartfelt thanks for taking the time to read and endorse my debut novel, NIGHT STALKER. I attribute his cover blurb to the immediate second printing of that book. He will be greatly missed. God Speed, Tony.
God speed, indeed.
He will be missed indeed. 🙁
*Clink* with my Turkish Delight, Pari…
Marianne
“I’m raising a Reese’s peanut cup to him right now . . .”
And a second.
THE GREAT TAOS BANK ROBBERY and the Longhorn/Chee stories were my introduction to New Mexico. I owe him a very great deal.
I too was grieved to hear of Mr. Hillerman’s death. Though I never met the man (except, of course, through his books), he sounds like someone I would have enjoyed knowing. And, though I’ve never been to New Mexico, I think we need to plan a road trip (once A’s adoption is done and we don’t need a court order to leave the state any more).
How about it, Pari? Maybe a Murderati field trip? 🙂
Oh, Pari, what a loss to the writing community. Mr. Hillerman’s books have been favorites of mine for years.
My Dh & I bought our first Hillerman novel, The Ghost Way, on our honeymoon in New Mexico.
I raise a mini snickers in his memory.
My first introduction to the man was HUNTING BADGER on CD, and I loved the way Chee and Leaphorn worked together (sorta). Then I heard about his mystery con, and I always thought that would be a col one to attend. A Huge loss to the mystery writing community.
Hey all,I can’t tell you how sad I am and I only knew him for six years — not long at all.
Of his books, The Great Taos Bank Robbery and Kilroy Was Here are my favorites. It’s strange, as much as I loved his fiction, it’s the nonfiction that spoke/speaks most to me.
I guess it’s because in those works you can get a sense of his humor — and that’s the man I knew.
For all of his many fans and admirers, I would strongly recommend you spend several satisfying hours with his autobiography – SELDOM DISAPPOINTED. About 6 years ago, I listened to this on audio, which he narrated himself, and which increased my enjoyment by a factor of several dozen multipliers. Some of his memories are hilarious, some heart wrenching, some heart warming. He seemed like the most down to earth person in the world, and his relating his mutual admiration for the Navaho was one of the sections I enjoyed most.
Woodstock, that is going on my birthday wish-list. I think it is one of the few things he wrote that I haven’t read.
It will be great to hear it in his voice.