| Other Hillerman Mysteries |
| Other Hillerman Mysteries |
BLESSINGWAY
(1970) Originally this story was named 'Enemyway' but was changed at the recommendation of the publisher (the same one recommending 'loosing' the indians). The story centers around an area north of Chinle AZ and east of Round Rock in the Lukachukai Mountains. It takes advantage of a real flight test path for missles between Dugway Proving Ground Utah and White Sands New Mexico (Hillerman discusses it in 'Great Taos Bank Robbery'). In 'Thief of Time', Hillerman points out 'Many Ruins' canyon was fictional in location to protect its ancient sites. If you draw a 'missle path' from Dugway to White Sands, it will actually put you over Round Rock AZ and then Canyon de Chelly near Wheatfields. So, who knows.
Story Locations: Ch-04 The Corrizo Mountains are on the north end of the Chuskas; you pass them driving on US160, between Mexican Water and Teec-Nos-Pos AZ (south side). Klagetoh is about 13m south of Ganado on US191, with Sabito Wash just north of the Painted Desert National Monument border. Ch-05 Teastah Wash is about 7m south of Ganado AZ on US191 (body found). Ch-06 On the Navajo Reservation, there's two 'Greasewood's, distinguished by 'Upper'/north, and 'Lower'/south. This one appears to be Lower Greasewood, southwest of Ganado on N15. The Conoco station is in Ganado, on the south side of AZ264, east of the US191 intersection. Ch-08 We didn't find a Gulf station in Chinle, though presumably there might have been one in 1970. The most likely candidate is the Shell on the corner of US191 and the road to Canyon de Chelly. Ch-12 Cottonwood Flats is west of Chinle, on N4 (south of where 'Emma' was buried). There's another Cottonwood Flats near Pueblo Pintado NM as well. Ceniza Mesa is unknown to us. |
PEOPLE OF DARKNESS (1980) This mystery centers around the Navajo 'checkerboard' northeast of Gallup. In the 20th century, both oil/gas drilling and uranium mining were exploited, and thus its connection to the story. Because it's on the southeast side of the reservation, Crownpoint NM appears repeatedly, having the nearest Navajo Tribal Police agency.
Story Locations: Ch-02 Hillerman locates the Vines house overlooking Laguna and Acoma reservations to the southeast, the Malpais and Zuni Mountians to the south and Canoncito Reservation (Navajo) toward Sandia to the east. If you have a map, find Mt Taylor northeast of I-40 and Grants; the home would have to abut Mt Taylor on the southeast side. Ch-03 Grants and Valencia Counties provide the main backdrop for the story. Where Gallup has a strong Navajo/Zuni flavor, Grants is more connected with mining and the pueblo tribes further east. Crownpoint NM is almost due east of Window Rock AZ and due north of Thoreau NM. The Navajo Tribal Police office is almost at the corner of NM371 and N9, next to a large modern high school. Ch-05 Ambrosia Lake is an ironic name for an area rich in uranium and associated mining. It's 21m north of Grants on NM605 and then NM509. Ch-06 Thoreau NM is 29m west of Grants NM and is the home of St Boneventure school, featured in some of the other Hillerman mysteries. Ch-11 Rough Rock AZ is about 25m west of Round Rock AZ on US191. It was where Chee grew up. In the 70s and 80s, several experimental educational programs were featured there, to try to retain the Navajo culture. (Thus maybe Hillerman's increasing interest). Ch-12 Not sure about the 'Greasy Water district'. We'd presume it's real! Hillerman uses it several times. Ch-13 The black Malpais volcanic formations run through much of the area around Grants, with Malpais National Conservation Area south of Grants. Not sure where the 'box' was found. Ch-28 Chee and Mary Landen drive northeast of Crownpoint NM down into Chaco wash and then up. This would take them toward Chaco Cultural NHP, but bypass it for Pueblo Pintado. Chaco Wash drains into the San Juan basin towards Shiprock NM. Ch-30 'Burned out Bisti Trading Post': From 'Old Trading Posts of the Four Corners' by Berkholz (recommended by Hillerman), Bisti TP burned in 1971 with the ruins bulldozed. It was at CR7290, 3.4m east of NM371 or about 30m south of Farmington. The post and nearby wilderness area were named after unique sandstone pillars called 'Bisti' in Navajo. |
GHOSTWAY (1985) This is one of Hillerman's mysteries that seems to thrive on an evilness, presumbably in the non-Navajo. Although it begins in Shiprock and ends on the Canoncito reservation in New Mexico, most of the 'action' is in Los Angeles (yuck).
Story Locations: Ch-01 We have no idea where the Shiprock Wash-O-Mat was, or if it even existed in the 1980s. In theory, it should be along the main highway headed towards Teec-Nos-Pos, south of the San Juan bridge. Ch-02 Two Grey Hills is northwest of Gallup, off of US666 (US491) at Newcomb NM. There are two Owl Springs in NM (one also in AZ near Chilchinbito). One of the NM ones is just south of Crownpoint NM on the west side of NM371. This one is just east of 'Washington Pass' (Narbona Pass) on NM134 (west of Sheep Springs and US666/491). The Four Corners power plant sits on Morgan Lake, about halfway between Farmington and Shiprock NM. Ch-05 The Shiprock NTP sub-agency is located north of the bridge over the San Juan River, on the east side of US666/491 (easy to see). Borrega Pass is southeast of Crownpoint NM, east of NM371. Ch-06 Chee grew up in Rough Rock AZ, which is southwest of Kayenta (16m west of Many Farms AZ off of US191). It seems it would be difficult to see Ship Rock from there. Ch-10 Chee's trailer is downstream from the San Juan bridge about a mile. Judging from that area, it would likely be on the north side, for road access. (Per Skinwalkers, it was west of the Navajo tribal maintenance yard, which is on the north side). The area is indeed beautiful, with a large number of cottonwood trees. The Navajo Northern District Health Clinic is on US666/491 north of the San Juan bridge. Ch-11 The 7-11 convenience store is a local variety but is on US64, east of the river bridge. Newcolm Trading Post NM is on US666/491, about halfway between Shiprock and Gallup NM. Ch-21 Chee's motel off of I-40 would likely be at the Flagstaff AZ Butler Ave exit. This would allow for an affordable room, and then a turn north on US89. Ch-22 Two Grey Hills Trading Post and Toadalena are both west of Newcomb NM and US666/491. Toadalena Trading Post is especially worth a visit, if you have the opportunity. Ch-24 Red Mesa is north of US160, west of Teec Nos Pos AZ. Both Mexican Water and Dennehotso are further west on US160. 504 appears to be US160 in Hillerman's mysteries. The story turns south off of US160 at Diamond Fields, crossing Greasewood Flats. Tyende Creek is further south, draining into Chinle Creek. Cottonwood Day School is on N4, about 10m west of Chinle AZ (US191), with Blue Gap north on N29. Blue Gap was where Emma was buried. Canoncito reservation is Navajo, and located west of Albuquerque NM, on the north side of I-40. Ch-25 Mesa Gigante sits on the west side of Canoncito community and is fairly large. If you have a topo-map, you can come close to tracking the story there. |
SKINWALKERS (1986) This mystery mainly occurs in the area west of Round Rock AZ(US191), very near where Chee grew up. The oddity of an almost fraudulant health clinic must have occurred 'somewhere', when Hillerman wrote this. It's too unusual!
Story Locations: Ch-01 Chee's trailer is located about a mile downriver from the San Juan river bridge and the Navajo tribal maintenance yards (north side of river). The area is indeed beautiful, with a large number of cottonwood trees, and easy road access. Ch-02 Leaphorn's house is likely on the west side of N12, across from the Navajo Nation governmental area. From other mysteries, his bedroom also faces east, and so, the livingroom would likely face west. There are two 'Big Mountain's on the reservation. One is just south of Round Rock AZ off of US191. The other is about 20m northwest of Pinon AZ, where a trading post was located in the 1930s. This one appears to be the one near Round Rock, northwest of Leaphorn's house. Similarly, there are two 'Greasewood's on the Arizona portion of the reservation, distinguished by 'Upper'/north and 'Lower'/south. This one is Upper Greasewood, about 2m south of Lukachukai AZ on N12. Nakaito Bench is west of US191 at the AZ/UT border, with Chinle Creek flowing into the San Juan River, just west of the US191 bridge. Chilchinbito is about 10m south of Kayenta AZ, off of US160. Ch-03 Red Rock Trading Post is a real post in the Red Rock community southwest of Ship Rock (about 30m west of US666/491). Mexican Hat Utah is a tiny community north of the US183 bridge, named for a geological formation nearby. Ch-05 Leaphorn frequently uses a shortcut from Window Rock to US666/491 that passes through Crystal NM and then meets up at Sheep Springs on US666/491 (about halfway between Gallup and Shiprock NM). The drive is quite beautiful, and similar to the White Mountains in Arizona. Ch-06 We don't know of any 'Bad Water Wash Trading Post'. Casa del Echo Mesa is dealt with in more detail in 'Hunting Badger', but is just south of Montezuma Creek Utah, across the San Juan River. Ch-07 The US Indian Service Hospital in Gallup NM is just west of the McKinley County Medical Center on Nizhoni Blvd. There's a stark contrast with the USIS facilities and county facilities. Ch-08 In Hillerman's mysteries, '504' appears to be US160 heading west into Arizona from Shiprock. Ch-10 The Mexican Water Trading Post is real, and is on US160, just west of the intersection of US160 and US191. Sege Butte is unknown, but presumably a part of the buttes west of Chilcinbito. Chilchinbito Canyon is just north of Chilchinbito AZ, and flows into Chinle Creek further east. Ch-13 Sanostee NM is 9m west of Tocito and US666/491, which is 6m north of Newcolm NM. Ch-10 The Shiprock NM DNA agency is located on the east side of Shiprock on the north side of US64. Ch-17 Short Mountain Trading Post is fictional and used in several of the Hillerman mysteries. It's most frequent location is just north of Cow Springs on US160, east of Tuba City AZ. Ch-18 In Hillerman's mysteries, '504' appears to be US160 going west from Shiprock. Dennehotso AZ is about 18m southwest of Mexican Water on US160. The turn south is just southwest on US160 at Diamond Fields, with Greasewood Flats further south., Chilchinbito canyon is just north of Chilchinbito (south of Kayenta AZ). Ch-20 Black Mesa is a major plateau that runs south of US160, between Tuba City and Kayenta. It's drainage creates the eroded Hopi mesas further south toward I-40. |
TALKING GOD (1989) This is the second of the Chee/Leaphorn mysteries that mainly occurs outside the reservation. As Hillerman lays out the clues, you really won't be able to figure it out until almost the end. Darn it!
Story Locations: Ch-02 There are two 'Greasewood's on the Arizona side of the Navajo Nation. To distinquish them, the southern one is 'Lower' and the northern one is 'Upper'. This one is Lower Greasewood, located southwest of Ganado AZ on N15. Ch-03 The Navajo Tribal Police HQ is in the governmental center in Window Rock AZ. It's 2-story, as in the mystery and not exactly busy. The day we visited was a Sunday morning and a COW was munching the bushes outside! Ft Wingate is just east of Gallup NM, on the south side of I-40. However the railroad is on the northside of I-40, where the body is found. Bida Hochee is on AZ77, further west from Lower Greasewood (across from Indian Springs). Both Teihim Butte and White Cone are on AZ77 north of Bida Hochee. Na-Ah-Tee Trading Post is 18.5m south of AZ264 and 3.5m west of AZ77. It closed in 1973 and burned in 1976. Long Butte is about the same location, halfway between AZ87 and AZ77 Ch-04 Naschitti chapter house is just off of US666/491, south of Sheep Springs. Ch-06 We're not sure of the 'Zuni Truck Stop'. Iyanbito and its refinery is halfway between Gallup and Thoreau NM, on the north side of I-40. Ch-07 Crownpoint NM is about 20m north of Thoreau NM (I-40), with the schools on the south side of N9. Ch-08 'Navajo Inn is on the north side of AZ264 in Window Rock, and these days a Quality Inn. Ch-22 Mesa Airlines is a 'puddle jumper' that serves many of the smaller communities in the Four Corners area. The Farmington airport is just north of the Farmington downtown, high on a mesa (similar to Sedona!). |
SACRED CLOWNS (1993) This story takes advantage of a historical event when President Lincoln gave the chiefs of the western tribes 'canes' as a symbol of leadership (thus encouraging their loyalty). It takes place between Thoreau NM and the fictional 'Tano Pueblo'. The 'Tano' or 'Tewa' were an early pueblo tribe with villages between Santa Fe and around the Rio Grande. They were attacked by many, and eventually ended up mainly with the Keresan at Santa Domingo Pueblo (15m southwest of Santa Fe) and San Juan Pueblo (north of Espanola NM, and renamed Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo). Other Tewa also settled southeast of El Paso Tx. More nearby, Hano on First Mesa Hopi, was settled after some of the Tewa fled the Second Pueblo Revolt of 1680-1692.
Story Locations: Ch-01 'Tano Pueblo' is most likely Santo Domingo Pueblo, about 2m north of I-25 on NM22. Ch-02 The NTP HQ is in Window Rock, west of the Navajo Nation government area, which is east of N12. Crystal NM is on NM134 north of Ft Defiance AZ, which Leaphorn frequently uses as a shortcut to US666/491 and Shiprock NM. Thoreau NM is on I-40, about 20m east of Gallup NM, with St Boneventure Indian Mission (school) on the west side of NM371 in Thoreau. Ch-04 We're not sure of 'Nazhoni Trading Post; Nazhoni is a bit west of Coyote Canyon TP. Both Coyote Wash and Standing Rock are just west of Crownpoint NM on N9. 'Nahodshosh chapter house' is about 12m west of Crownpoint NM, and was built in 1963.. Ch-05 Coyote Canyon is a small community about halfway between US666/491 and Crownpoint NM on N9. It has a picturesque but empty trading post next to the highway. Ch-06 'Navajo Inn' shows up frequently in Hillerman's books and would be the Quality Inn on AZ264 in Window Rock. If you drive around back, you'll notice a close association of the tribal support offices, with the hotel. Ch-07 We don't know of a 'Dowager Empress' restaurant in Flagstaff AZ, though there are an ample number of Chinese restaurants to choose from. If we were going to guess, it would be one of those near NAU on Milton (old US66), given the location of Louisa's home and Leaphorn's motel. Given that Louisa's home is four blocks from NAU, this would likely be to the east, which is an older neighborhood that is slowly gentrifying. Ch-08 The Navajo Veterans Cemetary is on the north side of Window Rock on N12. Greasy Water Trading Post shows up in several of Hillerman's books but appears to be fictional. Nakaibito is west of US666/491, about 3m south of Tohatchi NM. Ch-09 The Giant Truck stop is on I-40 east of Thoreau NM. Ch-10 Torreon trading post is on NM197, about 15m southwest of Cuba NM (US550). Chivato Mesa is due south of Torreon NM, just north of the Cibola Forest boundary. Ch-11 Yah-teh-heh is on US666/491 just north of Gallup, and is the home of Bernie Manuelito. The drive-in in Gallup used to be located south and west of the US666/I-40 intersection on Aztec. These days, it's a small park next to a housing development. As far as we know, Hillerman didn't identify the location of Chee's house in Window Rock. . Ch-12 Tohatchi and Naschitti are both on US666/491 north of Gallup NM, where the highway makes a strong elbow. Sheep Springs and Newcomb follow, further north on US666/491. Toedlena is actually further west from Two Grey Hills (which is 5m west of Newcomb), and is best known for its trading post and exquisite blankets. This area is broken up, rising into the Chuska Mountain range. Ch-15 KNDN AM radio is indeed in Farmington NM and broadcasts in Navajo. Ch-16 Navajo Agricultural (Products) Industries is headquartered in Farmington NM, and supports Navajo farming along the San Juan river (and lobbying to the tune of $100k per year!). Ch-24 There are a couple of printer candidates, both located along Main St in downtown Farmington NM. Crystal Trading Post was on the north side of NM134 about 1/2m, or 18m west of Sheep Springs NM on US666/491. Oddly, it closed a year after Hillerman published 'Sacred Clowns'. Toh-Ni Tsa forest lookout tower is almost due north of 'Washington Pass' (Narbona Pass), about 7m. |
SINISTER PIG (2003) is another one of Hillerman's mysteries that takes advantage of a little known geographic feature; early pipelines from the gas fields in northwestern New Mexico. Most of the 'action' however, occurs in far southwestern New Mexico.
Story Locations: Ch-01 The FBI has office is on Coal Ave in downtown Gallup NM. There's no sign on the building, but it's in the phone book! Ch-01 Gobernador NM is just east of the national forest line on US64 (east of Bloomfield NM). Degladito Mesa is most likely Carracas Mesa on topo maps. Ch-03 Rodeo NM is 28m south of Steins NM and I-10 (which is 20m west of Lordsburg NM). Ch-05 Huerfano Trading Post is located on US550, about 15m north of Nageezi (or about 30m south of Bloomfield NM), and is a major Navajo sacred area. Dulce is 8m west of Lumberton NM, off of US64 near the northern New Mexico border. The Jicarilla reservation, is south and west of Dulce. Leguna Seca Mesa one of two(!), is just west of Gobernador NM, just inside the forest boundary south of US64. Ch-06 The Little Hatchets are just southwest of Hachita NM or about 40m southwest of Deming NM (I-40). If you follow NM81 south from Hachita NM, where the road makes a 'jog' is Hatchet Gap. Presumably the ranch would be on the western side of the gap. Ch-11 Nutt NM on some maps is Hatch/Placitas on I-25, and offers a shortcut over to Deming NM on I-10 (using SR26). Ch-12 Gage NM is almost 20m west of Deming NM, on I-10. We're not sure why Chee takes this route to the Tuttle Ranch, since there's more direct routes. Ch-20 Walpi is on First Mesa in Hopi, just north of AZ264. The route south to Gallup, then Zuni, Quemodo and finally Lordsburg NM is through the Mogollon and is pretty rough going, but very beautiful. Ch-21 Biggs Field used to be an old B-52 bomber base near Ft Bliss in El Paso TX, but was closed and is now partially commercial. Sonora is the Mexican state just south of New Mexico. Ch-23 Antelope NM is about halfway between Hachitas NM and Playa NM. If you were driving from Rodeo NM to Deming on I-10, you'd pass through it. |
SKELETON MAN (2004) This mystery takes advantage of an airline collision over Grand Canyon in June 30,1956. Both pilots apparently wanted to give their passengers a good view, and ended up giving both planes a 'really' good view (both crashed killing 128 people).
Story Locations: Ch-01 'Navajo Inn' is on AZ264 in Window Rock, and is now a 'Quality Inn'. Given its location, it's a great place to meet in Window Rock. Ch-02 McKinley County stretches over much of western New Mexico with the county seat in Gallup. Zuni NM is south of Gallup NM about 30m, and has a series of jewelry stores on NM53 near Zuni Pueblo. Short Mountain Trading Post is a fictional location used throughout Hillerman's books. This one is likely located 14m west of Gap AZ (US89 north of Tuba City) on Blue Moon Bench. Nankoweep Rapids on the Colorado River are about 7m further west. In Ch-5, Hillerman puts the trading post 'no more than 20m' from Marble Canyon. More like 7m! Ch-03 John Clark is fictional. You can 'google' the internet for the collision, and find a list of all the dead, including their companies, etc. Shrine of the Ages was a chapel later built at the Grand Canyon for multiple religious use in the 60s. The 29 remains of the United flight were buried at Grand Canyon cemetary; the 67 remains of the TWA flight were buried in Citizens Cemetary in Flagstaff AZ, next to NAU. Ch-05 Bitter Springs AZ is on US89, right where US89A splits from US89 toward the Grand Canyon. Bernie grew up in Red Rock which is about 30m west of US666/491 and southwest of Shiprock NM. However, she lived in Yah-Teh-Heh NM, north of Gallup NM, until she married Chee. Janet Pete also came from Red Rock. The Hopi Cultural Center is on Second Mesa north of Shongopovi on AZ264. It includes a restaurant, motel, shops and a small museum (good piki bread). Havasu Canyon is west of Grand Canyon and is reached from Seligman AZ (helicopter or trail only, so she must be a hiker). Ch-06 Shiprock NM High School is a large modern high school located on US64 southwest of Shiprock. The Hopi Salt Shrine is thought to be located just downstream from the junction of the Colorado and Little Colorado rivers (based on descriptions of the handholds in the rocks along the possible path!). Ch-07 El Rancho Hotel is indeed on Railroad Ave in Gallup NM and was built to house movie stars. You can 'google' it on the web for the various stars! Ch-07 Shungopovi is on Second Mesa in Hopi, and just south of the Hopi Cultural Center. Ch-10 The Flagstaff Airport is named 'Pullium' and is located about 5m south of Flagstaff AZ off of I-17. Interestingly, it's served by the same airline as Chee often used at Farmington NM (Mesa Airlines). Ch-11 Kykotsmovi is between Second and Third Mesa on Hopi, at the intersection of N2 and AZ264. Moenkopi is just south of Tuba City AZ and is part of the Hopi reservation. Ch-13 Apparently Billy lives on the top of Hopi First Mesa, either Shichomovi, Hano or Walpi. Ch-14 The Grand Hotel is located outside Grand Canyon National Park in Tuseyan on US64. As you read the book, you kind of imagine El Tovar next to the south rim! |
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