Author of the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito series of Native American crime fiction novels, Anne Hillerman inherited both her passion for writing, and her series' characters, from her late father, legendary writer Tony Hillerman. In this exclusive chat with Cowboys & Indians, Hillerman discusses how and why she took on the world of her father's invention, fans' reactions to her style and works, how she put together the 10th and latest book in her own section of the series, and her thoughts on the AMC television show "Dark Winds," which is based on the Leaphorn, Chee, and Manuelito stories.

C.J. Box, the bestselling author behind the Joe Pickett series, knows Wyoming like the back of his hand, and it shows in his writing. Drawing from years of firsthand experience in the Mountain West, Box brings an authentic perspective to his novels. In this exclusive interview with Cowboys & Indians, he shares how his love for the region influences his storytelling, the lessons he learned from his journalistic background, and his approach to crafting well-rounded, real characters — both male and female — who resonate with readers of all backgrounds. That, and he gives us the details on the latest installment of the Pickett series, Battle Mountain, released just last month from Putnam.