Most Native American mysteries combine a number of elements found in historical mysteries: exquisite sense of place, detailed investigation that includes myths, legends, and superstitions, and character-driven writing that defines cultural and religious structures and beliefs. The detective's gender, race, and ethnicity play a major role in how the detective relates to the crime to be solved, as well as the world in general.

The following is a list of authors who fit into this category. It is not a definitive list, and often Native American mysteries travel across other genre lines like the Historical and the Police Procedural mysteries. Either the first in a series is given, or the series by publication date order.

• Bowen, Peter. Coyote Wind: Gabriel Du Pre, Montana Sheriff.
  Specimen Song.
  Wolf, No Wolf.
  Notches.
  Thunder Horse.
  Long Son.
  Stick Game.
  Cruzatte and Maria.
  Ash Child.
  
  
• Coel, Margaret. Eagle Catcher: John O'Malley & Vicky Holden | Arapaho Reservation.
  Ghost Walker
  Dream Stalker
  Story Teller
  Lost Bird
  Spirit Woman
  Thunder Keeper
  Shadow Dancer
  
  
• Doss, James D. Shaman Sings: Charlie Moon | Utes--Colorado.
  Shaman Laughs.
  Shaman's Game.
  Night Visitor.
  Grandmother Spider.
  White Shell Woman.
  
  
• Gray, Ginna. The Witness. Sam Grey Wolf Rawlins, FBI.
  
  
• Hager, Jean. Grandfather Medicine: Mitch Bushyhead, Police Chief | Cherokee--Oklahoma.
  Night Walker.
  Ghostland.
  Fire Carrier.
  Masked Dancers.
  
  Ravenmocker: Molly Bearpaw, Native American League | Cherokee--Oklahoma.
  Redbird's Cry.
  Seven Black Stones.
  Spirit Caller.
  
  
• Hillerman, Tony. The Blessing Way: Joe Leaphorn | Navajo--New Mexico.
  Dance Hall of the Dead.
  Listening Woman.
  People of the Darkness: Jim Chee | Navajo--New Mexico.
  Dark Wind.
  Ghostway.
  Skinwalkers: Leaphorn and Chee | Navajo--New Mexico.
  Thief of Time.
  Talking God.
  Coyote Wails.
  Sacred Clowns.
  Fallen Man.
  First Eagle.
  Hunting Badger.
  Wailing Wind.
  
  
• Johnson, Wayne. Don't Think Twice: Paul Two Persons | Ojibwa--Minnesota.
  Six Crooked Highways
  
  
• Medawar, Mardi Oakley. Death at Rainy Mountain: Tay-Bodal, Kiowa Medicine Man.
  Witch of the Palo Duro.
  Murder at Medicine Lodge.
  Ft. Larned Incident.
  
  
• Mitchell, Kirk. Cry Dance: Emmett Quanah Parker & Anna Turnipseed, Bureau of Indian Affairs Investigators.
  Cry Dance (1999).
  Spirit Sickness (2000).
  Ancient Ones (2001).
  Sky Woman Falling (2003).
  Dance of the Thunder Dogs (2004).
  
  
• Perry, Thomas. Vanishing Act: Jane Whitefield | Seneca--New York.
  Dance for the Dead.
  Shadow Woman.
  Face-Changers.
  Blood Money.
  
  
• Slater, Susan. Pumpkin Seed Massacre: Ben Pecos | Pueblo--Mew Mexico.
  Yellow Lies.
  Thunderbird.
  
  
• Thurlo, Aimee & David. Blackening Song: Ellah Clah | Navajo--New Mexico.
  Death Walker.
  Bad Medicine.
  Enemy Way.
  Shooting Chant.
  Red Mesa.
  Changing Woman.