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Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Books in Order.

Authorby Tony Hillerman
28 Entries
Quick Answer

Start with The Blessing Way (1970), which is book 1, and read in publication order. Tony Hillerman wrote books 1 to 18 (1970 to 2006). His daughter Anne Hillerman continues the series with book 19, Spider Woman's Daughter (2013).

The complete reading order for the Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series by Tony Hillerman. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.

Where to start

Start with The Blessing Way (1970), which is book 1, and read in publication order. Tony Hillerman wrote books 1 to 18 (1970 to 2006). His daughter Anne Hillerman continues the series with book 19, Spider Woman's Daughter (2013).

  • •Joe Leaphorn is the lead in books 1 to 3 (The Blessing Way, Dance Hall of the Dead, Listening Woman). Jim Chee takes over in People of Darkness (book 4), The Dark Wind and The Ghostway.
  • •Leaphorn and Chee first work together in Skinwalkers (book 7, 1986), and appear together in the books after it.
  • •Books 19 to 28 are by Anne Hillerman and are marketed as A Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito Novel; Officer Bernadette Manuelito joins Chee as a lead character.
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Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Reading Order28 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
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1

The Blessing Way

Pub: 1970
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2

Dance Hall of the Dead

Pub: 1973
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Blessing Way".

3

Listening Woman

Pub: 1978
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Dance Hall of the Dead".

4

People of Darkness

Pub: 1980
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Listening Woman".

5

The Dark Wind

Pub: 1982
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Plot details hidden until you finish "People of Darkness".

6

The Ghostway

Pub: 1984
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Dark Wind".

7

Skinwalkers

Pub: 1986
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Ghostway".

8

A Thief of Time

Pub: 1988
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Skinwalkers".

9

Talking God

Pub: 1989
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Plot details hidden until you finish "A Thief of Time".

10

Coyote Waits

Pub: 1990
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Talking God".

11

Sacred Clowns

Pub: 1993
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Coyote Waits".

12

The Fallen Man

Pub: 1996
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Sacred Clowns".

13

The First Eagle

Pub: 1998
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Fallen Man".

14

Hunting Badger

Pub: 1999
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The First Eagle".

15

The Wailing Wind

Pub: 2002
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Hunting Badger".

16

The Sinister Pig

Pub: 2003
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Wailing Wind".

17

Skeleton Man

Pub: 2004
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Sinister Pig".

18

The Shape Shifter

Pub: 2006
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Skeleton Man".

19

Spider Woman's Daughter

Pub: 2013
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Shape Shifter".

20

Rock with Wings

Pub: 2015
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Spider Woman's Daughter".

21

Song of the Lion

Pub: 2017
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Rock with Wings".

22

Cave of Bones

Pub: 2018
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Song of the Lion".

23

The Tale Teller

Pub: 2019
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Cave of Bones".

24

Stargazer

Pub: 2021
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Tale Teller".

25

The Sacred Bridge

Pub: 2022
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Stargazer".

26

The Way of the Bear

Pub: 2023
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Sacred Bridge".

27

Lost Birds

Pub: 2024
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Plot details hidden until you finish "The Way of the Bear".

28

Shadow of the Solstice

Pub: 2025
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Plot details hidden until you finish "Lost Birds".

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Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito in?

Start with The Blessing Way (1970), which is book 1, and read in publication order. Tony Hillerman wrote books 1 to 18 (1970 to 2006). His daughter Anne Hillerman continues the series with book 19, Spider Woman's Daughter (2013).

How many books are in Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito?

18 main books, published 1970–2006, plus 10 side stories.

Can I read Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito out of order?

It's best not to. The books build on each other, so reading out of order spoils earlier twists.

Which books in Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito are prequels, novellas or side stories?

"Spider Woman's Daughter" (spin-off), "Rock with Wings" (spin-off), "Song of the Lion" (spin-off), "Cave of Bones" (spin-off), "The Tale Teller" (spin-off), "Stargazer" (spin-off), "The Sacred Bridge" (spin-off), "The Way of the Bear" (spin-off), "Lost Birds" (spin-off), "Shadow of the Solstice" (spin-off). Each is placed in the reading order below.