Tony Hillerman Audio Books Tony Hillerman (1925–2008), an Albuquerque, New Mexico, resident since 1963, was the author of twenty-nine books, including the popular eighteen-book mystery series featuring Navajo police officers Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, two non-series novels, two children’s books, and nonfiction works. But Tony Hillerman is another author whose books I've read that has a similar storyteller skill that I find ever bit as wonderful. I believe I've read both authors, all they've published. I like to read them over again after they've had a while to settle, say maybe a few years later.