Lu Clifton Books In Order

Publication Order of Sam Chitto Mystery Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

About Lu Clifton
The American author Lu Clifton is well known for her compelling and intriguing mystery novels that really grab the attention of her readers. An active member of the literary community at large, she has an interesting and unique take on the genre that is quite unlike any other. Setting herself apart, she has a lot to offer, creating fascinating characters, such as her mystery series following the Lieutenant Sam Chitto. This has proven to be hugely successful for her, allowing her to make a name and brand for herself all over the world.

Putting a lot of herself into her writing, she’s established a very personal approach to her stories, taking inspiration from her own life and experiences. Interested in folklore, she’s put this knowledge back into her Sam Chitto series, with a lot of it based around the mythology of the Choctaw Nation. Creating engaging novels that really inflame the imagination, she’s allowed these myths to inspire her and her work, making for something quite different. This knowledge and understanding has also lent itself well to the authenticity and realism of her books, making for a world that’s highly immersive.

She is also well known for writing children’s literature too, some of which have gone on to win awards themselves. This has led to her having a highly diverse writing career, crafting idiosyncratic characters inhabiting well established worlds. Reaching readers from all over, regardless of where they’re from, her stories have a universal appeal that’s helped to ensure their success. With a lot more to come, she’s definitely a writer with plenty more to say, as her writing career grows from strength-to-strength.

Early and Personal Life:
Born in Oklahoma, Lu Clifton would spend her early years in the south-eastern area of the American state, an area which would come to feature heavily in her work. Moving around from a young age, she’d move through four different states, before settling down in Texas with her mother. It was in Texas that she’d also go on to gain an associate degree, before attending Colorado State University, where she’d receive a BA and MA in English.

Known as Lutricia Lois-Clifton in full, she goes by the name of Lu Clifton when it comes to writing, having created her own personal brand. Prior to writing novels, she also write for magazines and newspapers, whilst also working for companies such as Hyundai and Hewlett Packard. Currently living in Illinois, she still writes to this very day, whilst also working as an active member of the literary community.

Writing Career:
Starting the ‘Sam Chitto’ mystery series in 2016, Lu Clifton would begin her literary career with the novel ‘Scalp Dance’. This would also introduce her leading protagonist of Investigator Sam Chitto for the first time too, as he solved various different cases for the Oklahoma Choctaw Tribal Police unit. Working in and around the Choctaw culture, Lieutenant Sam Chitto would also provide a fascinating window into an otherwise unseen world.

In 2019 she would also write the novel ‘Seeking Grace in Beulah Land’, which was a stand-alone title that’s also set in a small Oklahoma community. Winning numerous different awards for her work, Lu Clifton has received a number of different nominations over the years. Creating children’s literature too, she’s got lots more planned, as she continues writing, on into the foreseeable future.

The Horned Owl
Originally brought out through the ‘Two Shadows’ publishing outlet, this would first be released in 2018 on the 12th of March. Working as the third book in the ongoing ‘Sam Chitto Mystery’ series, this would provide another case-file for the ever intrepid investigator to solve. Following on from the previous book, it is its own story, with a self-contained mystery, whilst also developing the world and the characters.

With the character of Sam Chitto already being firmly established, this takes the many ideas and themes from before and builds upon them. In many respects improving many aspects of the world, Clifton really develops what came before, taking it in a bold and interesting direction. Understand what work with the series and character, she really works to push the story to its full potential, it what is a satisfying and compelling mystery.

Looking to prove a teenage boy’s innocence, Detective Sam Chitto hopes to defend him in a court of law, as the prosecution seeks to prove his guilt in a case of mutilation and murder using some graphic novels he made. Working at the request of two Choctaw tribal council members, the boy is said to be guilty due to being near the body after being told by Ishkitini, the Choctaw deity, that a violent murder would take place. Also known as ‘The Horned Owl’, this deity sighting doesn’t prove to hold up in court, so it’s up to Chitto to investigate further, as he looks into ancient Caddoan civilization rites, along with modern forensics. Does the fact that ten years prior, Chitto’s father was murdered there too hold any meaning? Can Chitto find what really happened? What really happened during the vision of the Horned Owl?

Seeking Grace in Beulah Land
Once again released through the ‘Two Shadow’ publishing label, this would be a stand-alone title from Lu Clifton. Not being a part of any series as such, it would come out on the 1st of April in 2019, providing another side to the ever versatile author. It would also feature another mystery too, building upon her gift for suspense and tension, taking her ideas to another level.

Set in Oklahoma, in a rural Pittsburg County in the aftermath of World War Two, residents are mystified over the sudden disappearance of a mother of two daughters Grace Barlow. Her husband, Grover Cleveland Barlow, did not file a report, and would carry on for the next sixty years as if nothing happened, leaving the rest of the community to believe she left him, due to her ambitious nature. With him coming towards the end of his life though, it seems there was more to this case than first meets the eye, as secrets rise up, leaving his grandson, Mack Barlow, to return to help with his grandfather’s end-of-life requests. Can he find out what actually happened though? Did Grace really leave on her own volition? What truths will come to light as they find themselves seeking Grace in Beulah Land?

One Response to “Lu Clifton”

1. Judith Hoefling: 1 year ago

   I enjoy reading the Chitto mysteries. I believe that i have purchased most of them via Kindle. But i do want to see the books in order. Thanks

   Reply