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Quick answer: If you like Tony Hillerman, read The Blessing Way and Skinwalkers if you haven't, then Craig Johnson's The Cold Dish, C. J. Box's Open Season, Nevada Barr's Track of the Cat and William Kent Krueger's Iron Lake. All are mysteries rooted in landscape and culture, with sparing detectives and big skies.
Tony Hillerman (1925-2008) wrote the Leaphorn and Chee mysteries, set on the Navajo Nation in the American Southwest, in which two tribal police officers solve crimes while navigating cultural traditions. His books are known for their sense of place and respect for Navajo culture. The books below offer similar regional mysteries.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Blessing Way | Tony Hillerman | Adult | the Leaphorn start |
| Skinwalkers | Tony Hillerman | Adult | Leaphorn and Chee together |
| Dance Hall of the Dead | Tony Hillerman | Adult | Edgar Award winner |
| The Shaman Sings | James D. Doss | Adult | Ute Mountain mystery |
| Murder on the Iditarod Trail | Sue Henry | Adult | Alaska mystery |
| The Eagle Catcher | Margaret Coel | Adult | Arapaho country |
| The Cold Dish | Craig Johnson | Adult | modern Western mystery |
| Open Season | C. J. Box | Adult | Wyoming game warden |
| Track of the Cat | Nevada Barr | Adult | national park mystery |
| Iron Lake | William Kent Krueger | Adult | Minnesota winter |
| Still Life | Louise Penny | Adult | cosy Canadian crime |
| Raven Black | Ann Cleeves | Adult | readers who like remote settings |
| The Dry | Jane Harper | Adult | outback mystery |
| Winter's Bone | Daniel Woodrell | Adult | Ozarks noir |
| Bluebird, Bluebird | Attica Locke | Adult | Texas mystery |
1. The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman
Lieutenant Leaphorn investigates a death on the Navajo reservation. Atmospheric and clear.
Best for: the Leaphorn start.
2. Skinwalkers by Tony Hillerman
Chee and Leaphorn team up to solve murders. A favourite among fans.
Best for: Leaphorn and Chee together.
3. Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman
Leaphorn investigates a murder involving a Zuni boy. Tense and humane.
Best for: Edgar Award winner.
4. The Shaman Sings by James D. Doss
Charlie Moon investigates in Colorado. Quirky and warm.
Best for: Ute Mountain mystery.
5. Murder on the Iditarod Trail by Sue Henry
A sled-dog race is shadowed by murder. Atmospheric.
Best for: Alaska mystery.
6. The Eagle Catcher by Margaret Coel
A priest and a lawyer investigate a murder on the Wind River reservation. Steady and rich.
Best for: Arapaho country.
7. The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson
Sheriff Walt Longmire investigates a murder in Wyoming. Dry-witted and atmospheric.
Best for: modern Western mystery.
8. Open Season by C. J. Box
Joe Pickett finds a body in the woods. Atmospheric and humane.
Best for: Wyoming game warden.
9. Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr
Park ranger Anna Pigeon investigates a death in Guadalupe Mountains. Sharp and atmospheric.
Best for: national park mystery.
10. Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger
A former sheriff investigates a death in the north woods. Moody.
Best for: Minnesota winter.
11. Still Life by Louise Penny
Inspector Gamache looks into a death in a Quebec village. Warm and thoughtful.
Best for: cosy Canadian crime.
12. Raven Black by Ann Cleeves
Inspector Jimmy Perez investigates a death in the Shetland Islands. The first of the Shetland series.
Best for: readers who like remote settings.
13. The Dry by Jane Harper
Federal agent Aaron Falk returns to a drought-stricken town for a funeral. Tense and vivid.
Best for: outback mystery.
14. Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell
A teenage girl searches for her father in the Ozarks. Spare, tough and beautiful.
Best for: Ozarks noir.
15. Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
A Black Texas Ranger investigates two murders in East Texas. Atmospheric and thoughtful.
Best for: Texas mystery.
How to Choose
For more Hillerman begin with The Blessing Way and Skinwalkers. For other landscape-driven mysteries choose Craig Johnson, C. J. Box or Nevada Barr. For cold-weather settings pick Iron Lake or Murder on the Iditarod Trail. For international equivalents read Raven Black or The Dry. Hillerman is calm and clear, so these picks suit readers who love place as much as plot. Hillerman's daughter, Anne Hillerman, has continued the series, so readers who finish his books can keep going. Hillerman received an honour from the Navajo Nation for his portrayal of their culture.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tony Hillerman?
An American mystery writer who set a series of novels on the Navajo Nation.
Where should I start?
With The Blessing Way or Skinwalkers.
Who are Leaphorn and Chee?
Two Navajo Tribal Police officers who solve crimes.
Did he write standalone books?
Yes, a few, but the Leaphorn and Chee series is the heart.
Are the books accurate about Navajo culture?
Hillerman researched widely, and the Navajo Nation honoured him, though some readers note he was an outsider.
Is there a TV series?
Dark Winds, a series based on his characters, is available. Check current listings.
Is the series continued?
Yes, by Anne Hillerman.
What should I read next?
Try The Cold Dish or Skinwalkers.
Which book here is best for Ute Mountain mystery?
Try The Shaman Sings by James D. Doss, which suits readers looking for Ute Mountain mystery.
Which book here is best for modern Western mystery?
Try The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson, which suits readers looking for modern Western mystery.
Which book here is best for Minnesota winter?
Try Iron Lake by William Kent Krueger, which suits readers looking for Minnesota winter.
Which book here is best for outback mystery?
Try The Dry by Jane Harper, which suits readers looking for outback mystery.