Best Mystery Series Indian (2026): 5 Series Compared

A reader who finished the last Tony Hillerman and wants another mystery rooted in Native American country is who the best mystery series indian picks are for. We compared five listings by series length, entry point and edition, and added three more options.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Indian Posse by Miller	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Incident at Big Pine by Darrow	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Missing by Darrow	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Shadow Dancer by Miller	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Horse Hunts by George	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Indian Posse by Miller

Dinah Miller·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 4 of the 19-book John Treehorn series, a 505-page FBI mystery on the Navajo Nation.

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Pros

• 505 pages, the longest volume here
• Book 4 of 19, a long-running series
• June 21, 2019 edition stated

Cons

• The listing warns of graphic violence and adult content
• Book 4, so new readers start mid-series
• No reading age or grade level stated

2

Incident at Big Pine by Darrow

Michael Darrow·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of the Mike Taylor series, a 269-page mystery set near the Lakota reservation.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 3, the natural entry point
• 269 pages, March 9, 2023 edition
• Lakota setting with tribal police cooperation

Cons

• The description centers on murder and prejudice
• Only 3 books in the series so far
• No reading age or grade level stated

3

Missing by Darrow

Michael Darrow·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 2 of the Mike Taylor series, a 259-page mystery about missing Lakota women.

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Pros

• 259 pages, July 31, 2024 edition
• Continues the Mike Taylor series
• Deals with the MMIW movement

Cons

• The description deals with missing and murdered women
• Book 2 of 3, so start with Incident at Big Pine
• No reading age or grade level stated

4

Shadow Dancer by Miller

Dinah Miller·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 1 of the 19-book John Treehorn series, a 147-page FBI mystery on the Navajo Nation.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 19, the series entry point
• 147 pages, a quick read
• January 2, 2018 edition stated

Cons

• The listing warns it is for mature audiences with graphic violence
• 147 pages, the shortest volume here
• No reading age or grade level stated

5

Horse Hunts by George

Gary J. George·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Book 2 of the Smoke Tree series, a desert police procedural with a Native American guide.

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Pros

• Book 2 of 13, a long-running series
• April 8, 2014 edition stated
• Desert procedural with a Native American character

Cons

• No page count stated
• Book 2, so new readers start mid-series
• No reading age or grade level stated

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More picks to compare

• The Mystery of the Cupboard by BanksFourth book in the Indian in the Cupboard saga, ages 8 to 12.Check on Amazon
• Ms. Mia Murder Mysteries by BranchCozy mystery series starter, book 1 of 8, July 2025.Check on Amazon
• The Indian Mummy Mystery by NesbitKids mystery, 280 pages, ages 8 to 12.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. None of the five picks list a reading age or grade level; all are written for adults. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best mystery series indian

Start at book 1

Shadow Dancer and Incident at Big Pine are each book 1 of their series, so they are the natural entry points. Indian Posse is book 4 of 19 and Missing is book 2 of 3, so a new reader should know the story continues before and after. Horse Hunts is book 2 of 13 in the Smoke Tree series.

Match the tone

The Treehorn books warn of graphic violence and adult content for mature audiences; the Indian Country books deal with murder and, in Missing, with missing and murdered women. The Smoke Tree novella is a desert police procedural with a lighter touch. Check the description before gifting.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date: Incident at Big Pine is the March 9, 2023 edition.
• Check which book of the series comes first: start Treehorn at Shadow Dancer, Taylor at Incident at Big Pine.
• Check the format: some listings describe Kindle editions with file sizes, not print.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I start the John Treehorn series?

The listing states Shadow Dancer is book 1 of 19 in the John Treehorn Mystery series.

Where do I start the Mike Taylor series?

The listing states Incident at Big Pine is book 1 of 3 in the Indian Country: The Mike Taylor Mysteries series.

Are these books for adults?

The Treehorn listings warn they are for mature audiences; none of the five lists a reading age or grade level.

Still deciding? Our top pickIndian Posse by Miller

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