Lu Clifton

Lutricia “Lu” Clifton writes mystery novels and award-winning books for young readers set in the landscapes and communities of southeastern Oklahoma. Drawing inspiration from her mother’s Choctaw heritage, her stories often weave Native American traditions and folklore into character-driven narratives.

She is best known for the Sam Chitto mystery series, featuring a Choctaw Tribal Police investigator whose cases unfold against the cultural backdrop of rural Oklahoma. Lu is also the author of the novels Seeking Grace in Beulah Land and Liquid Grace, and the award-winning middle-grade book Freaky Fast Frankie Joe.

Her work has received recognition from the Oklahoma Book Awards and the Friends of American Writers Award for Juvenile Fiction.