Many of you are probably familiar with the Leaphorn and Chee series by New York Times bestseller Tony Hillerman. Recently his daughter, Anne, has taken up the mantle and will continue the series with Spider Woman's Daughter. Tony's widow, Marie, wrote a beautiful letter about her husband and daughter's work, and I'd like to share her thoughts with you guys.
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Several years ago my eldest daughter Anne mentioned to me that she wanted to write a novel featuring her late father's characters. She joked that Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn seemed like her uncles. I encouraged her to take on the challenge. Anne was already recognized as a skilled writer with several awards to her credit.
When Anne showed me a draft of her book, I thought that she had done an excellent job of faithfully presenting the characters Tony created and, in addition to that, making them her own. Spider Woman's Daughter would have made her father smile. I think he would have enjoyed these further adventures of Jim Chee, Joe Leaphorn, and Bernadette Manuelito as much as I did.
Leaphorn and Chee, Navajo Tribal Policemen, have been part of our family circle for more than thirty years. Their adventures and exploits were discussed over countless evening meals. In Tony's novels we also enjoyed a passing acquaintance with the spirited Bernadette Manuelito as both a Navajo Tribal Police Office and, finally, as the bride of Jim Chee. I hope readers will be as delighted as I was to witness the inimitable Bernie in action in Spider Woman's Daughter.
I know Tony was happy when Anne decided to become a journalist and glad when she began to write nonfiction books. He enjoyed working with Anne and her husband, Don Strel, on their previous book, Tony Hillerman's Landscape. He was pleased that they both took such an interest in his work. As much as the project itself, Tony enjoyed the opportunity it gave him to spend more time with Anne. Anne and Tony shared a special relationship which deepened near the end of his life. He loved sitting at our kitchen table talking with her about writing and life in general. He was proud of her, and so am I.
– Marie Hillerman
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Egalleys are available on Edelweiss, so swing on over there and get stuck in a web of intrigue (get it? Cause it's Spider Woman? yeaaaah).
– Annie