1. The two protagonists of Tony Hillerman's mysteries both came to detective work by the same route - working as police officers. Which police force did they join? New Mexico State Police Navajo Tribal Police Arizona State Police Hopi Tribal Police

2. The most senior of Hillerman's detectives is Joe Leaphorn, the "Legendary Lieutenant." Readers of the books know that Leaphorn is not comfortable with a variety of his people's traditions and taboos. Why not? Having spent several decades on the East Coast, he believes that adherence to the old ways is crippling his people economically. After careful study in middle age, he decided to reject many traditions as "superstitious. He was educated outside of his culture, at Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding schools. As a teenager, he rejected many of the older generation's beliefs as a way to rebel against his parents.

3. One of the most striking things about Joe Leaphorn is his deep love for his wife. Throughout the early books, he relies on her wit and strength to support his investigations; after her death, his grief for her is tangible and enduring. What is her name? Isabelle Louisa Emma Bernie

4. Jim Chee is the junior detective in Hillerman's novels, introduced when a storyline required a cop who was rather more naive than Joe Leaphorn. Even as Chee grows more experienced, however, fundamental differences remain. What are Chee's feelings towards the culture he was born to? Negative -- in fact, his dream is to see the reservation looking like New York. Varied -- his positions, goals and ideals change from book to book as he struggles to make up his mind. Neutral -- he has no strong feelings one way or the other. His culture just "is." Positive -- in fact, his dream is to become a traditional shaman or spiritual healer.

5. Jim Chee is also notable for his somewhat troubled love life. He has a tendency to fall hard for women who just aren't right for him! By "Skeleton Man" however, he's finally found a good woman to wed; coincidentally, she's a police officer herself. What is her name? Louisa Bourbonette Janet Pete Bernadette Manuelito Mary Landon

6. Every detective has to have a way of getting around and collecting information, whether he walks a beat or hires underlings to do it for him. How do Leaphorn and Chee travel around their jurisdiction? They walk. They drive. They don't! They get eager young officers to do it for them. They ride horses.

7. In the course of their investigations, Leaphorn and Chee must often take into account the traditional beliefs of witnesses, suspects and (potential) victims. Evil and mysterious deeds naturally bring witchcraft to the forefront of many minds. How is the local term for a shape-changing witch translated in Hillerman's novels? Sorceror Skinwalker Cloud-driver Rainstealer

8. Many of the mysteries explore the strained relationship between Leaphorn's and Chee's police force on the one hand and federal agents on the other. Which of these is NOT a continuing source of tension between the local cops and the feds? The federal agents' priorities often conflict with those of the local cops. The federal agents chafe at the restrictions placed on them by the local cops. The bureaucracy of the federal agencies makes dealing with them difficult. Federal agencies control investigations despite their lack of local expertise.

9. Over the years, our heroes have gotten to know a variety of local cops, citizens with long memories, anthropologists, and other useful people. In particular, one police officer from a nearby jurisdiction has played a key role in several books. Who is this Hopi officer, a close friend of Jim Chee? Cowboy Dashee Bernadette Manuelito Janet Pete Robert Jano

10. Tony Hillerman, who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an outsider to the culture he writes so vividly about. Has the reservation government taken any official notice of his work? Yes. In 1986, the reservation government took out a full-page ad in the Albuquerque Journal, denouncing the mysteries. No. A 1988 Gallup Times article quoted an anonymous official as saying the reservation government planned to ignore these works. Yes. In 1987, he was presented with a Special Friends Award by the reservation government. No, although President Peterson Zah (1991-1994) has said repeatedly that he loves the books.