Judith Van Gieson is a distinguished American author, renowned for her mystery novels. She has written a number of successful books that span across various genres, including children's books, short stories, and poetry. However, it is her mystery and thriller novels that have brought her the most acclaim.
Gieson's first mystery series features Neil Hamel, a female attorney and sleuth based in Albuquerque. This series consists of eight books, all published by HarperCollins. Hamel's investigations often intertwine with environmental issues, such as wildfires and endangered species. The series has been well-received, with books published in several countries including Japan, Germany, and England. One of the books, 'The Lies That Bind', was even a finalist for the Shamus Award for the best detective novel of the year.
In addition to the Neil Hamel series, Gieson has written another series featuring Claire Reynier, a rare book expert. This series, consisting of five books, has been published in paperback by Signet, in hardcover by University of New Mexico Press, and in a large print edition by Thorndike. Reynier's work as an archivist and librarian at the Center for Southwest Research at UNM often leads her to encounter rare artifacts and New Mexico history, which form the crux of her adventures. This series has also been critically acclaimed, with 'The Stolen Blue' being a finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award, and 'The Shadow of Venus' winning the Zia Award given by New Mexico Press Women for Best Work of Fiction by a New Mexico woman.