If you enjoy reading books by Tony Hillerman then you might also like the following authors:
Craig Johnson is an author who brings readers into the vivid landscapes of Wyoming with his Sheriff Walt Longmire series. In the book “The Cold Dish,” Sheriff Longmire investigates a puzzling murder case set in the rugged Wyoming countryside.
Tensions run high as Longmire uncovers secrets hidden within his small town and faces challenges rooted deep in past injustices.
If you enjoyed Tony Hillerman’s mysteries, Johnson similarly creates authentic settings filled with Native American culture and complex characters, all wrapped up in an engaging mystery that feels true to life.
James Lee Burke is an author known for his atmospheric storytelling and complex characters, especially in novels set around Louisiana or Montana. Fans of Tony Hillerman’s mysteries that explore culture, region, and character depth will appreciate Burke’s style.
A great place to start is “The Neon Rain,” which introduces detective Dave Robicheaux. Set in gritty New Orleans, this book combines murder investigation, Southern culture, and a detective’s personal history.
Burke paints vivid pictures of the city’s streets, bayous, and local people while Robicheaux searches for answers and confronts his past.
The blend of mystery, distinctive settings, and compelling detective makes Burke’s writing a good match for anyone who enjoys Tony Hillerman’s work.
Louise Erdrich is an engaging storyteller whose novels bring readers into the lives of Native American communities, blending suspense with rich cultural depth. Her book “The Round House” explores a haunting crime on a North Dakota reservation.
After his mother survives a traumatic attack, young Joe Coutts becomes frustrated with the slow investigation. He decides to unravel the mystery on his own, stepping into difficult truths about his family and culture.
The narrative skillfully mixes a mystery plot similar to Hillerman’s works with vivid portraits of indigenous life, making Erdrich notable for readers who appreciate stories seamlessly combining investigation with nuanced cultural themes.
Sue Grafton is known for her engaging mystery novels featuring the private detective Kinsey Millhone. Set in the fictional California town of Santa Teresa, her alphabetically titled series starts with “A is for Alibi.”
In this first installment, Kinsey Millhone takes on the case of Nikki Fife, a woman recently released from prison after serving time for her husband’s murder. Nikki insists on her innocence and asks Kinsey to uncover the truth and identify the real killer.
Readers drawn to Tony Hillerman’s insightful portrayal of detective work in vivid settings may find themselves hooked by Grafton’s blend of intriguing cases, strong characters, and authentic California atmosphere.
Books by William Kent Krueger offer mysteries set in vivid and atmospheric landscapes, with intriguing characters and cultural tensions similar to those found in Tony Hillerman’s novels.
In “Iron Lake,” the first book featuring Cork O’Connor, readers follow a former sheriff turned private investigator in a small northern Minnesota town.
When the town judge is found dead, Cork must navigate conflicts between Native American communities and local citizens, uncover secrets about the judge’s past, and face his own personal troubles.
With authentic characters, strong storytelling, and an inviting sense of place, Krueger creates a gripping book for fans of Hillerman’s Southwestern mysteries.
If you enjoy Tony Hillerman’s rich depictions of the rugged Southwest and thoughtful mysteries rooted in rural communities, you might appreciate C.J. Box. Box sets many of his novels against the rugged terrain of Wyoming, capturing the vivid landscape and small-town intrigue.
In his novel “Open Season,” readers meet Joe Pickett, a dedicated Wyoming game warden whose peaceful life dramatically shifts when a local poacher is found dead on his doorstep.
As he investigates, Pickett faces corruption, hidden agendas, and growing danger in his own community. Details about wildlife, wilderness, and small-town politics make the story realistic and captivating.
Like Hillerman, Box weaves suspenseful mysteries around a strong sense of place and compelling characters firmly connected to their surroundings.
Ross Macdonald offers mysteries filled with complex characters, psychological depth, and vivid scenes of Southern California.
Readers who enjoyed Tony Hillerman’s thoughtful detective stories set in rich landscapes may find intriguing parallels in Macdonald’s series featuring private investigator Lew Archer. In “The Galton Case,” Archer investigates the decades-old disappearance of a wealthy heir.
The mystery builds as Archer uncovers dark family secrets, hidden identities, and tangled relationships. Macdonald’s storytelling reveals character motivations layer by layer, creating suspenseful twists until the very end.
Readers who enjoy Tony Hillerman’s mystery novels set in the American Southwest will likely appreciate Anne Hillerman’s continuation of her father’s legacy.
Her novel “Spider Woman’s Daughter” brings back beloved characters like Bernie Manuelito and Jim Chee to solve a case that hits painfully close to home.
After witnessing a shooting, Bernie becomes deeply involved in unraveling a case full of family secrets, hidden rivalries, and Navajo tradition.
Anne Hillerman carefully preserves the vivid sense of place, cultural richness, and thoughtful storytelling that readers loved in Tony Hillerman’s mysteries.
If you enjoy Tony Hillerman’s atmospheric mysteries set in vivid Southwest landscapes, you’ll likely appreciate J.A. Jance. She’s known for her engaging plots and authentic portrayals of Arizona and its cultural backdrop.
A good place to start is her book “Desert Heat,” the first in the Joanna Brady series. After her deputy sheriff husband is found shot and accused of corruption, Joanna Brady must step into danger as she seeks truth in her small desert town.
Jance blends crime-solving with detailed characters and well-drawn settings, giving readers a fresh but similarly satisfying experience.
Readers who enjoy Tony Hillerman’s mysteries set in vividly described locales might appreciate John D. MacDonald’s novels, especially his Travis McGee series. MacDonald’s Florida-based mysteries are known for their atmospheric settings and sharp commentary on society.
In “The Deep Blue Good-by,” we meet Travis McGee, a tough and resourceful “salvage consultant” who recovers lost goods for a fee.
McGee lives aboard his houseboat in Fort Lauderdale and is pulled into action when a woman seeks help recovering stolen valuables from a charismatic but dangerous con artist.
The investigation leads McGee through the darker side of Florida’s sunny paradise, confronting greed, corruption, and violence.
The story has engaging dialogue, colorful characters, and detailed descriptions of coastal settings, similar to Hillerman’s attention to place and character.
Readers who enjoy Tony Hillerman’s mysteries set in vivid landscapes with strong detective characters may find John Sandford equally appealing. Sandford is well-known for his police procedural thrillers featuring detective Lucas Davenport.
In the book “Rules of Prey,” the Twin Cities face terror from a meticulous serial killer who leaves behind cryptic “rules” at every scene. Davenport is smart, persistent, and unorthodox as he hunts down clues through gritty urban settings.
Sandford offers readers tight plotting, a strong sense of place, and complex investigations that unfold layer by layer.
Leslie Marmon Silko is an author whose work explores Native American themes and cultural identity in a powerful way. If you appreciate Tony Hillerman’s mysteries set in the Southwest, you might also like Silko’s novel “Ceremony.”
The story follows Tayo, a Laguna Pueblo veteran who has returned from World War II unable to shake off troubling memories. He turns to the rituals and traditions of his people for healing, but the journey becomes complicated by internal struggles as well as outside pressures.
Silko paints vivid landscapes and complex characters, blending elements of native folklore, personal trauma, and deep spirituality into her narrative. Readers who value authenticity and a strong sense of place should consider exploring Silko’s work.
If you enjoy Tony Hillerman’s mysteries set in the Southwest, you might also appreciate Michael McGarrity’s novels that feature detective Kevin Kerney. McGarrity’s “Tularosa” introduces Kerney, a former police officer forced into retirement after an injury.
When his godson disappears from the White Sands Missile Range, Kerney steps back into action. His search carries him across the striking landscape of southern New Mexico and into the heart of military secrets.
McGarrity creates authentic characters, vivid scenery, and gripping suspense in a setting Hillerman readers will find comfortably familiar yet distinctly fresh.
Books by Andrea Camilleri offer vivid crime stories set in Sicily, flavored with local culture and humor. If you enjoy Tony Hillerman’s mix of detective mysteries and rich cultural landscapes, Camilleri’s Inspector Montalbano novels may resonate with you.
In “The Shape of Water,” Inspector Salvo Montalbano investigates a puzzling death in Vigàta, a small Sicilian town filled with quirky characters, Mediterranean charm, and subtle corruption.
Montalbano’s sense of justice and keen observation reminds readers of Hillerman’s Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn and Officer Jim Chee. The intriguing puzzle, sharp wit, and Sicilian atmosphere make Camilleri’s books an engaging choice for readers exploring new crime fiction.
Colin Dexter was a British author best known for his Inspector Morse detective series set in and around Oxford, England.
Readers who appreciate Tony Hillerman’s detailed investigative approach and rich sense of place may find the book “Last Bus to Woodstock” particularly enjoyable.
In this mystery novel, Inspector Morse investigates the murder of a young woman found dead in a pub car park outside Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Morse carefully examines the subtle clues and hidden motives behind each suspect’s action.
Dexter skillfully creates intricate relationships and intriguing elements of the past that slowly come to light. Inspector Morse’s thoughtful style and the vividly rendered Oxford setting make Dexter’s work a rewarding discovery for fans of thoughtful crime fiction.