Source: Albuquerque Journal, N.存倉M.Sept. 24--As the buzz builds around the Oct. 1 debut of Anne Hillerman's "Spider Woman's Daughter," the author is fielding phone calls, interviews and speaking requests from the rugged beauty of the Navajo Reservation."I guess I had underestimated how much residual interest and inherited good will there was," she said in a telephone interview from Bluff, Utah, on Friday.The daughter of the late New York Times best-selling mystery writer Tony Hillerman, Anne Hillerman was leading a 13-day "Road Scholars" tour group through Hillerman Country -- the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Cortez, Colo., and both Acoma and Zuni pueblos."If I had realized how much buzz there'd be about this book, I wouldn't have done this bus trip," she said.Her mystery novel continues the stories of her father's 18-book series starring Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, with a new focus on Chee's wife, Bernadette Manuelito, also a police officer. When Tony Hillerman finished his second-to-last mystery, 2004 's "Skeleton Man," his daughter was thrilled to see Manuelito find some stolen diamonds and confront the villain."In that book, she really acts like a police officer and not just the love-struck girlfriend of Jim Chee," she said. "But in the end, Jim Chee saves the day. I was sad she had to get rescued. But (Dad) said, 'I think you're right. I could do more with her.'"With her father's death in 2008, Hillerman decided it was up to her to continue the story.It was a daunting decision.The winner of every major award for mystery fiction, including France's esteemed Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere, Tony Hillerman also served as president of the prestigious Mystery Writers of America. He also won that group's coveted Edgar Award, named for Edgar Allan Poe.Anne Hillerman will debut "Spider Woman's Daughter" in a fundraiser for the Albuquerque Public Library Foundation at Albuquerque's KiMo Theatre at 7 p.m. Oct. 1. The Santa Fe launch will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Inn and Spa at Loretto.Hillerman has spent much of her career penning nonfiction, including "Tony Hillerman's Landscape," "The Gardens of Santa Fe" and "Santa Fe Flavors." She has covered Santa Fe's dining scene as the Journal's freelance restaurant critic since 2001.As the author crossed the country talking about her own books as well as her father, people continually asked if Tony Hillerman left another story on his computer or tucked inside a desk drawer.He hadn't. But those fans planted a seed. She had always felt 迷你倉ike the characters of Leaphorn and Chee were part of the family. She started writing about three years ago.The reviews have already begun pouring in and so far, they're glowing."In her first novel, reporter Hillerman successfully revives Navajo policemen Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, last seen in 'The Shape Shifter' (2006), the final book from her father. Like her father, Hiller-man has a gift for combining history and mystery," says Publisher's Weekly.Kirkus Reviews said, "A daughter takes on her famous father's legacy in resuming a series focused on Navajo culture ... maintaining the integrity ... throughout."The Library Journal gave it a starred review: "Heart-stopping, action-packed ... Fans of Southwestern mysteries will cheer this return of Leaphorn and Chee.""Costco is buying it," Hillerman added with a tinge of disbelief.She acknowledged some nervousness at extending the famed series that took readers deep into Indian Country, teaching them about the area's culture and history."Even though I know people loved my father, this is me," she explained. "I think so many people love my dad's books, and they have high expectations. I feel like I did the very best I could with it, but I'm not my dad."So far, the speaking invitations include the Texas Book Festival in Austin and the Mystery Writers of America in Tucson.Another book in the series is already in the works, although it lacks a title. It will most likely be published sometime in 2015, Hillerman said."I'm going to use Monument Valley and the area right around Shiprock," she said. "One of the stories will be about a movie company."The tale will continue the saga of Bernadette as she comes into her own as a police officer. "She's the star of 'Spider Woman's Daughter'," she said. "She'll have a major role, as will Chee and Leaphorn."IF YOU GO:WHAT: Anne Hillerman reads from "Spider Woman's Daughter," her new book continuing the Joe Leaphorn-Jim Chee mystery series of her father, Tony Hillerman.IN ALBUQUERQUE:WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1WHERE: KiMo Theatre, 423 Central Ave. NW, Albuquerque COST: $7 CONTACT: 505-768-3544 or .KimoTickets.comIN SANTA FEWHEN: 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2 WHERE: Inn and Spa at Loretto, 211 Old Santa Fe Trail COST: Free; fundraiser after-party for the Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library is $50. CONTACT: 988-1234 or .SantaFeFestivalofAuthors.orgCopyright: ___ (c)2013 Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N.M.) Visit the Albuquerque Journal (Albuquerque, N.M.) at .abqjournal.com Distributed by MCT Information Services自存倉
留言列表
