Answers to Go with Susan Smith
Q. My favorite novels are mysteries with Native American characters. Tony Hillerman’s Navajo series is the best I’ve read. Can you suggest other authors I might like?
A . We often use the NoveList subscription database to answer this type of question.
Let’s begin with what NoveList has to say about these mysteries: “Tony Hillerman's popular series of contemporary mysteries is set on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico and Arizona, focusing on Navajo Tribal Policemen Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee and their contrasting skills and styles.
“Extensively researched details of the life of Native Americans, past and present, in the isolated rural Southwest, and the exploration of Native American customs and rituals, attract readers to the novels.
“Hillerman's mysteries feature complex characters and a carefully plotted investigation with little outright violence. He has also written some nonfiction and a standalone thriller. Start with “A Thief of Time.”
Readers who’d like to give Hillerman a try, might want to start with “Shape Shifter.” It’s the book NoveList identifies as the most popular in the series.
For the reader who asked the question, a good match would be NoveList recommended author Margaret Coel: “Tensions between tradition and modern Native American life figure prominently in Margaret Coel's compelling and richly-detailed mysteries. Her Wind River Reservation series, set on a Wyoming Arapaho Indian reservation, provides fast-paced, character-driven tales featuring John O'Malley, a recovering alcoholic priest from Boston, and Vicky Holden, an Arapaho attorney. Coel uses suspense and a strong sense of place as vehicles for exploring thought-provoking themes from petroleum rights to petroglyphs. Her other series features Catherine McLeod, an investigative reporter from Denver. Coel also writes Native American history and biography.”
Other recommendations include the following series: Peter Bowen’s Gabriel Du Pre books; James D. Doss’ Charlie Moon mysteries, Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak mysteries; Aimee Thurlo’s Ella Clah series, and Kathleen Gear’s Anasazi mysteries.
Our reference librarians all enjoy talking about favorite books with customers.
We are also happy to show you how to use the NoveList component that is built into our online catalog. If you use the Quick Keyword Search option in our catalog, click on a book title and then click on Related and Similar Titles. The NoveList book suggestions will appear.
