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A
Selected,
Annotated Bibliography
of Books about
Taos and New Mexico
prepared
by Arthur J. Bachrach
(page2) |
Works Of Fiction
1
Recommended with enthusiasm is the New Mexico Trilogy
by, Taoseno John Nichols. All three are fine novels, with
a compassionate and insightful portrayal of the area and the
people.
Best known is The Milagro Beanfield War,
on which Robert Redford's motion picture
was based and filmed in nearby Truchas. The central
figure in the novel is Joe Mondragon, whose diversion
of water his family once owned, and which he needs to
plant beans, sparks a conflict between
the native people and the corporation
that plans a large development in the area. Nichols'
lifelong dedication to the environment shines clearly
throughout this warm novel.
The others in the Trilogy, also beautifully
written, are The Magic Journey
and Nirvana Blues
2
Another Taos author, the inspiring, late Frank Waters, was also a leader in the struggle for the preservation
of the land and its culture. His excellent
works of fiction will enrich the reader's world
and understanding of New Mexico.
The Man Who Killed The Deer an acclaimed novel of a young Taos Pueblo
Indian and his growing up in two cultures, Anglo and Pueblo.
People Of The Valley
a poignant story of the people of Mora Valley, in
the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The leading
character is Maria del Valle, an Hispanic
herbalist who works with her people to cope with the
onslaught of technology in the form of a Government dam.
The Woman At Otowi Crossing
This is a fictionalized account of the life of Edith Warner, who lived near Los Alamos and ran a tea room
which the personnel at the secret atomic laboratory were
permitted to visit. Waters was a Public
Information officer at the laboratory during much of the research.
His novel was made into an opera which premiered in St.
Louis a few weeks after his death on June
3, 1995. It is sad that he never saw it performed.
3
A non-fiction account of the life of Edith Warner is the excellent biography by Peggy Pond Church,
The House At Otowi Bridge.
A reading of both Waters and Church is
most rewarding.
4
The Delight Makers
Adolph Bandelier
Written in 1890, while Bandelier was doing archaeological field work in New Mexico, this novel is an
enduring story of prehistoric Pueblo Indians.
5
Death Of Bernadette Lefthand
Ron Querry
Querry, a longtime Taos resident, wrote this award-winning novel about the death of a Native American
woman. Set in Navajo and Jicarilla Apache
country, as well as the Taos Pueblo, it
is a strong book.
6
Death Comes For The Archbishop
Willa Cather
This famous novel is based on the life of Bishop Lamy,
a French cleric who came to Santa Fe to
establish a new Catholic diocese, taking some jurisdiction
away from Bishop Zubiria of Durango, Mexico.
Durango was 1,500 miles from Santa Fe
and Zubiria could not easily supervise
the huge region which included New Mexico. Cather's
novel depicts Lamy's work in New Mexico
His name in the book is Bishop Latour. His adversary, Taos' Padre Martinez (his real name, as opposed
to Lamy's, is used in the book), challenged
Lamy in large part because he believed
that Lamy was importing European ideas,
such as the construction of the Cathedral Of
St. Francis in Santa Fe, architecturally not of this
new world, while tithing the poor of New Mexico to realize such foreign ideas. In 1857, Lamy
was supposed to have excommunicated Martinez, but recent
archival research seems to have proven that the papers of excommunication were never completed. It appears
that Martinez acted as though he were
indeed driven from the Church and set up his own independent
parish. In any case, Lamy and Martinez
were at odds, largely because of Martinez'
importunate behavior such as writing letters
in strong opposition to Lamy in the Santa Fe journal, La Gaceta. In many ways the two men
of God were of the same mind, both establishing
schools to educate girls, a concept not very popular at
the time.
7
Paul Horgan's Pulitzer Prize biography, Lamy Of Santa Fe
(currently out of print) provides an excellent overview of Lamy's life and of the years in New Mexico, including
an account of the Lamy-Martinez controversy.
Even though the events occurred almost
150 years ago, there remain strong feelings
on both sides.
Whatever view of the affair one may take, Cather's book
is a wonderful piece of writing, a lovely picture of New
Mexico at a magical time in its history.
8
Red Sky At Morning
Richard Bradford
The classic novel of a young Anglo boy growing up among Hispanic neighbors and friends. An even
more enjoyable novel, in my view, is his
So Far From Heaven, unfortunately out-of-print.
The title comes from to the old lament:
"Poor New Mexico, so far from Heaven, so close to Texas!"
9
Bless Me, Ultima
Rudolfo Anaya
A acclaimed portrayal of Hispanic youth and the world around
them.
10
So Far From God
Ana Castillo
A novel set in Central New Mexico with strong
visions of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo
relationships.
11
Several by the superb storyteller, Albuquerque
resident and former Taoseno, Max Evans:
The Hi-Lo Country
Evans' story of cowhands, made into the motion picture
starring Woody Harrelson
Rounders 3
Max Evans, Illustrated by Grem Lee
This well-illustrated edition reprints all the Rounder
stories, beginning with The Rounders, from which the motion picture of the same
name, starring Henry Fonda and Glenn Ford,
was made.
The ensuing tales, The Great Wedding and
The Orange County Cowboys,
follow Dusty and
Wrangler through further adventures. Also wonderful stories by
Max are My Pardner and Mountain of Gold.
His most recent book is non-fiction. It is a charming account
of a colorful chararter, Madam Millie: Bordellos from Silver
City to Ketchikan. All of his books will delight readers
as only "Ol' Max" can.
12
Rick Collignon
Collignon is a resident of Taos and has written three
fine books. The Journal Of Antonio Montoya,
is an award-winning first novel, followed by Perdido
(out of print) and his most recent Santo in the
Image of Cristobal Garcia. All three works are set in
a small New Mexico village and weave past and present in a poignant
illustration of the feelings and hopes of the villagers.
13
Canyon Of Remembering
Lesley Poling-Kempes
A novel of inspiration about a group meeting
outside Santa Fe to search out their lives.
14
Skeleton Of A Bridge
Robert Mirabal
Robert Mirabal is a Taos Pueblo Indian,whose
skills as a storyteller and flautist have won him
international acclaim. Skeleton Of A Bridge is
a
fine collection of stories of his life on the Pueblo.
15
Stygo
Laura Hendrie
Hendrie lives in Ojo Sarco, New Mexico and has
written two strong novels about the people of small villages,
one the award-winning Stygo and the now out of
print Remember Me.
16
Land Of Enchantment, Land Of Conflict:
New Mexico In English Language Fiction
David L. Caffey
Caffey's edited collection of fiction is a splendid reprinting of fiction from New Mexico, a broad
coverage well chosen.
17
You Can't Push A Rope
Clint Trafton
An award-winning (Frank Waters Foundation) novel of the Chicano struggle for the land. It covers
the Tijerina trial.
18
Taos Massacres
John Durand
A fictionalized account of the Taos Massacres of 1847 and featuring
historical figures, such as, Lewis Garrard (see Wah-To-Yah and
The Taos Trail), Ceran St. Vrain, and Charles Bent.
Back to the Top
Works Of Fiction: Mysteries set in New Mexico
The murder mystery has become so important a genre
in New Mexican works of fiction that I thought it deserved a
special section of its very own.
One of the most rewarding characteristics of these
mysteries set in New Mexico is the ability of the various authors
to hold the reader's interest in solving the murders while informing
them about the people and the culture of New Mexico. Hillerman,
of course, is the master of this form. Other writers have been
very successful as well. This skillful weaving of a good tale
and interesting facts is very much in the style of writers such
as the great Australian mystery author, Arthur Upfield, whose
half- Anglo, half-Aboriginal detective, Napoleon Bonaparte, could
mix anthropology and assassination while entertaining thereader..
Indeed, Hillerman has acknowledged his clear debt to Arthur Upfield.
An indication of the growing audience for and interest
in good mysteries is the mystery book club in Taos, sponsored
by Moby Dickens Bookshop. The club, called " 'Who Did
It?': A Grammatically Correct Mystery Book Club,"
meets one evening a month, now the third Wednesday, to discuss
mysteries of all types and to meet with mystery writers. The
club is open to all mystery lovers. (Please click on Mystery
for the current schedule and mystery book selection) Further
information may be obtained by calling Moby Dickens at (505)
758-3050, or Toll-Free: 1-888-442-9980. A monthly notice of meetings
and information about mysteries is mailed to all members. If
you wish to receive the mailings, please call or write to Moby
Dickens at our address: 124A Bent Street, Taos New Mexico 87571
Back to the Top
The major writers
of mysteries set in New Mexico:
1
Tony Hillerman
As we have noted, Tony Hillerman is the undisputed master
of the New Mexico-based murder mystery.
With the exception of Fly On The Wall, a newspaper mystery set in Santa Fe, and Finding Moon,
a man's search in Vietnam, all of Hillerman's
mysteries feature two Navajo tribal policemen, Jim Chee
and Joe Leaphorn. The books offer
a rich flavor of Native American culture and
landscape, particularly Hopi and Navajo. In
order of publication, the mysteries are: The Blessing Way,
Dance Hall Of The Dead, Listening Woman,
People Of Darkness The DarkWind, The Ghostway,
Skinwalkers, A Thief Of Time, Talking God,
Coyote Waits, Sacred Clowns, The Fallen Man, First Eagle, Hunting Badger, The Wailing Wind,
The Sinister Pig, Skelton Man and his latest Shape Shifters.
In the mystery, The Dark Wind, while weaving
a good plot, Hillerman offers one of the
best reasoned discussions of the problems
over land that have been a source of conflict
between the Hopi and the Navajo for years, typical
of the thought that underlies his writing. Moby Dickens
has an extensive collection of first foreign editions by Tony
Hillerman in many languages.
2
Jake Page
Jake Page is a world-renowned science writer and editor who, with his wife, Suzanne, produced the splendid
photo-essays, Navajo and Hopi. His mysteries
center around Mo Bowdre, a blind sculptor
living in Santa Fe, and his Anglo-Hopi companion,
Connie Barnes. The mysteries all have a fine seasoning
of art, history and archaeology and, in
order of publication, are: The Stolen
Gods, Deadly Canyon, The Knotted Strings, Lethal Partner
and A Certain Malice.
3
Walter Satterthwait
Satterthwait makes his home in Santa Fe a goodly part of the
time. His protagonist, a thinking man's private eye named Joshua
Croft, is featured in A Wall Of Glass,
A Flower In The Desert, At Ease With The Dead, The Hanged Man,
Accustomed To The Dark.
4
Louis Owens
The late Louis Owens was a Native American author and professor
who, in addition to publishing works of
scholarship, authored fine mysteries.
One example is Nightland, set in New Mexico, in which he subtly demonstrates the Native American
sense of humor, not always recognized
by Anglos.
5
Steve Brewer
Brewer, an Albuquerque author, has a protagonist, a likeable Redneck named Bubba Mabry, also a resident
of the Duke City. Brewer's books are Baby
Face, Lonely Street, Witchy
Woman, Shaky Ground, Dirty Pool,
Crazy Love and Fool's Paradise. A new protagonist
is Drew Garvin in End Run. His latest book is Bullets.
6
Michael McGarrity
McGarrity is an former Santa Fe policeman, still living there
and writing entertaining mysteries whose protagonist is
an-ex Santa Fe Chief Of Detectives, retired
through wounding, named Kevin Kerney. The
mysteries, most named for New Mexico geography, are Tularosa, Mexican Hat, Serpent
Gate, Hermit's Peak, Judas Judge, Under
The Color Of Law, The Big Gamble,
Everyone Dies, Slow Kill and his latest Northing But Trouble
7
Nevada Barr
Nevada Barr, herself a National Park Service Ranger, uses a Ranger named Anna Pigeon as her heroine.
Only one of her mysteries is set in this
area, in the Guadalupe National Park, spanning
Eastern New Mexico and West Texas. It is a well-written book, her first mystery of the series, Track
Of The Cat.
8
Aimee and David Thurlo
The Thurlos' main character is a Navajo, Ella Clah, a former FBI agent and now a special investigator for
the Navajo Tribal Police. Their mysteries,
which have a good New Mexico
flavor, include Bad Medicine, Shooting Chant, Enemy Way and Red Mesa, and their
latest Pale Death.
9
Judith Van Gieson
Van Gieson's heroine, in her first series of mysteries, is
a sharp female attorney named Neil Hamel, who resides in Albuquerque (as does Van Gieson). Her books,
in order, are North Of The Border,
Raptor, The Other Side Of Death, Wolf
Path, The Lies That Bind, Hotshots, and Ditch Rider A new series, starting with the publication
of The Stolen Blue, features Claire
Reynier, an archivist at the University
Of New Mexico's Center For Southwest Research. Second in this
series is Vanishing Point, followed by Confidence
Woman, and her latest, Land of Burning Heat. Both
her series of books are well written and filled with
interesting characters and events.
10
Connie Shelton
Shelton lives in Angel Fire in Northern New Mexico, but her main character is a female accountant named
Charlie Parker, a resident of Albuquerque.
Three of her mysteries are set in
New Mexico, including Deadly Gamble, and
Memories Can Be Murder.
11
Rudolfo Anaya
Anaya is best known for his brilliant books of New Mexico such as Bless Me Ultima and has recently turned
his hand toward mystery writing. His murder
mysteries are: Alburquerque (yes,
Anaya put the first "r" back where he says it
belonged originally), Zia Summer, Rio
Grande Fall, and Shaman Winter..
12
Martin Cruz Smith
Smith, internationally known for Gorky Park, Polar
Star,
Havana Bay, and the brilliant Rose, wrote a mystery
surrounding
the laboratory at Los Alamos, New Mexico and its scientists.
The book is Stallion Gate. While lesser known than
his other
mysteries, it is well worth reading.
13
Martha Grimes
Famed American writer of British mysteries, Martha Grimes,
a part-time resident of Santa Fe, has a book, Rainbow's
End, in
which she moves Chief Superintendent, Richard Jury, of
Scotland Yard, from London to Santa Fe to solve a series
of
unexplained deaths in England that are somehow related
to
events in Santa Fe.
14
Harlan Campbell
Monkey On A Chain, a first mystery by Campbell, features
a hero whose image evokes memories of John MacDonald's
Travis McGee and other anti-heroes who take on Paladin
quests. The hero, Rainbow Porter, lives in the mountains
around Albuquerque and is a simpatico rogue.
15
Sarah Lovett
Lovett, also from Santa Fe, has written three novels with her interesting main character, Dr. Sylvia
Strange. The books, Dangerous Attachments,
Acquired Motives, and A Desperate Silence,
Dante's Inferno, and Dark Alchemy..
16
Mari Ulmer
A long time resident of Taos, Mari Ulmer's first mystery, Midnight At The Camposanto, is a rich
blend of Northern New Mexico culture and
a setting of Catholic beliefs surrounding the
puzzling murder of a Penitente Brother. Her second Taos
Festival Mystery is Carreta de la Muerte involving religious
art thefts in Taos.
17
Susan Slater
The Pumpkin Seed Massacre is the first mystery of
a series featuring a Tewa Pueblo Indian,
Ben Pecos, employed by the Indian Health Service. It was
recently reprinted. The subsequent titles are Yellow Lies,
Thunderbird, Flash Flood, and Five O'Clock Shadow.
18
Steven F. Havill
Havill is the author of the Sheriff Bill Gastner mystery series,
set in New Mexico and full of memborable characters. The series
includes Dead Weight, Out of Season, Prolonged
Exposure, Privileged to Kill, Before She Dies,
Twice Buried, Bitter Recoil, and Heartshot.
The latest in the series is Bag Limit. His new protaganist,
Estella, has taken over the Sheriff's Department in Scavengers.
19
Pari Noskin Taichert
Her books are The Clovis Incident and her latest The
Belen Hitch featuring Sasha Solomon, an entertaining, off-beat
protagonist.
20
Vicki Stiefel
Her book The Bone Man (a Tally Whyte mystery) takes place
largely in Chaco Canyon, New Mexico.
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