Aimee Thurlo was a respected author known for her mystery and romantic suspense novels. Alongside her husband David, she wrote the popular Sister Agatha series and the compelling Ella Clah mysteries, set in the Navajo Nation.
If you enjoy reading books by Aimee Thurlo then you might also like the following authors:
Tony Hillerman is a great choice for readers who enjoy atmospheric mysteries set in the American Southwest. His novels feature Navajo Tribal Police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.
One standout title is Dance Hall of the Dead, a vividly detailed mystery full of cultural insights and engaging characters.
Anne Hillerman continues her father Tony Hillerman's legacy with her own fresh perspective. She highlights Bernadette Manuelito, a strong and relatable protagonist, offering insightful mysteries that delve respectfully into Navajo culture and traditions.
Her novel Spider Woman's Daughter seamlessly extends the original series and provides a suspenseful, satisfying read.
Craig Johnson writes engaging mysteries set in rural Wyoming, featuring Walt Longmire, a witty, determined sheriff with deep personal values. Johnson's writing blends character-driven narratives with humor, nuance, and atmospheric rural settings.
Start with The Cold Dish, the first book in his much-loved series, for an enjoyable and authentic introduction.
William Kent Krueger creates powerful mystery stories set in the northern landscapes of Minnesota. His compelling main character, Cork O'Connor, is a former sheriff of mixed Irish and Ojibwe heritage who confronts complex crimes steeped in family and community secrets.
Readers curious about Krueger should definitely check out Iron Lake, the gripping first entry in this engaging series.
Margaret Coel creates immersive mysteries set around Wyoming's Wind River Reservation. Her novels center around Father John O'Malley and Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden, pairing intricate mysteries with insightful exploration of Arapaho culture and history.
Consider beginning with The Eagle Catcher, a thoughtful mystery featuring well-developed characters and a fascinating setting.
If you enjoy Aimee Thurlo's mystery stories woven with Native American culture, you'll like James D. Doss. His Charlie Moon series mixes mystery, humor, and the rich cultural background of the Ute tribe.
The Shaman Sings introduces readers to Ute detective Charlie Moon, who solves perplexing crimes in the scenic Colorado landscape.
Dana Stabenow creates mysteries that vividly portray Alaska's landscape and cultural heritage. Her protagonist, Kate Shugak, is a determined private investigator navigating challenging cases in Alaska's rugged wilderness.
Try her novel A Cold Day for Murder, which offers suspenseful storytelling layered with sharp insights into local Alaskan traditions and communities.
C. J. Box combines thrilling mysteries with outdoor adventures and authentic depictions of life in the American West.
His Joe Pickett series, particularly the gripping novel Open Season, follows Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett as he faces rugged landscapes, complex cases, and family responsibilities, making him relatable and engaging for readers who enjoy compelling mysteries grounded in rural settings.
Fans of wilderness mysteries will appreciate Nevada Barr's Park Ranger Anna Pigeon series. Barr's novels feature thrilling plots set in different national parks, showcasing both their beauty and isolation.
In Track of the Cat, Barr introduces tough and resourceful ranger Anna Pigeon as she investigates crimes amid the dramatic landscape and solitude of the Guadalupe Mountains.
J.A. Jance creates strong, relatable characters and gripping mysteries set in Southwestern and Western settings, which should resonate with Thurlo readers. Her Joanna Brady series, set in the Arizona desert's vastness, combines suspense and rich characterization.
Start with Desert Heat, featuring Sheriff Joanna Brady as she tries to solve her husband's murder while navigating the gritty realities of law enforcement and small-town politics.
Michael McGarrity writes thoughtful mysteries rich with the Southwest's distinctive atmosphere and culture. Similar to Aimee Thurlo, McGarrity captures New Mexico vividly, setting intriguing mysteries that explore regional traditions, landscapes, and characters.
His novel Tularosa introduces Kevin Kerney, a former cop drawn into investigating a complex case involving family secrets and local history.
Kirk Mitchell crafts absorbing mysteries that often explore the culture and complexities of Native American life, a style readers of Aimee Thurlo will appreciate.
His novel Cry Dance features Bureau of Indian Affairs investigator Emmett Parker, whose cases frequently blend traditional beliefs with contemporary criminal investigations, balancing suspense with genuine cultural insights.
Thomas Perry creates fast-paced mysteries with remarkable attention to detail and clever plotting.
Readers who enjoy the suspense and layered narratives of Aimee Thurlo should try Perry's novel Vanishing Act, which introduces Jane Whitefield, a Native American guide who helps people vanish from their dangerous pasts.
Perry skillfully combines intrigue, action, and Native American themes in compelling ways.
Marcie R. Rendon offers crime fiction enriched by authentic Native American experiences, making her stories feel genuine and emotionally powerful. Fans of Thurlo's cultural depth will connect deeply with Rendon's novel Murder on the Red River.
The book follows Cash Blackbear, a young Ojibwe woman skilled at solving mysteries, who uncovers dangerous truths while navigating prejudice and societal tensions in 1970s Minnesota.
S.J. Rozan creates character-driven mysteries that blend thoughtful storytelling with intriguing plots. Readers who appreciate Thurlo's engaging protagonists and vivid cultural settings may find Rozan equally enjoyable.
In China Trade, Rozan introduces Lydia Chin, a Chinese-American private investigator navigating culturally complex Chinatown cases that ripple with tensions and secrets beneath the surface.