The first novel in the series, Spider Woman's Daughter (1990), won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author and introduced the main characters of Jim Chee and Sergeant Joe Leaphorn.
In addition to the main characters of Chee and Leaphorn, two other recurring characters are Bernadette Manuelito, a medical examiner and later chief of police, and Manuelito's partner, Officer Cowboy Dashee.
The series is set in the contemporary American Southwest, with many of the stories taking place on or near the Navajo Nation. The novels often explore themes of Navajo culture and history, and Hillerman has been praised for her accurate and sensitive portrayal of the Navajo people.
The Navajo Tribal Police mystery series has been a critical and commercial success. The novels have been translated into more than 20 languages, and have won numerous awards, including the Edgar Award and the Anthony Award.