Devils Lake: A Zeb Hanks Mystery

by Mark Reps

Sheriff Zeb Hanks dives head first into trouble at Devils Lake. When his former Deputy, and current Chief of the San Carlos Reservation Police, Rambler Braing, cryptically contacts him for help, their actions skirt the law which they have been sworn to uphold. A pair of dead bodies linked to the country's most powerful Native American crime syndicate quickly lead Zeb, Rambler and everyone around them into dark and dangerous territory.

Jealousy, hatred and envy are all motivations when a psychopathic criminal rages against not only those who cross him but his own family. Zeb and Rambler must not only join forces to solve the crime but need to justify their own misdeeds or suffer the consequences of operating outside the law.

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2025

About the author

Mark Reps has been a writer and storyteller his whole life. Born in small town southeastern Minnesota, he trained as a mathematician and chiropractor but never lost his love of telling or writing a good story. As an avid desert wilderness hiker Mark spends a great deal of time roaming the desert and other terrains of southeastern Arizona from December to May. A chance meeting with an old time colorful sheriff led him to develop the Zeb Hanks character and the world that surrounds him. Mark returns often to SE Arizona for inspiration, information and to maintain the general feel of the area, learn its history and understand the local residents.

When Mark started writing he became pen pals with Tony Hillerman who offered up tips, criticism and ideas on some of his early novels. His books are often compared with the Longmire television series and books by Craig Johnson.

Mark’s most recent project is the eighth installment of the ZEB HANKS series, NATIVE DESTINY which launched in the spring of 2018. He is working on a Zeb Hanks Novella which will be distributed free to subscribers. Books nine and ten (and likely beyond) are planned at a pace of one per year through 2020. Welcome to the series!

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Find out more at:
facebook.com/ZebHanks
www.markreps.com
@markreps1

Many thanks to the many wonderful, loyal readers out there! Feedback is always welcome and Mark tries to respond to every request and question. If you read and enjoy the books, please review them on Amazon and Goodreads.

Reviews

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil's Lake - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Mark Reps keeps us on the edge of our seats in his latest murder-mystery, Devil's Lake, as Sheriff Zeb Hanks, Chief Rambler Braing and their deputies join to hunt down a ruthless crime family that destroys all who defy its leaders.
Medicine man Song Bird, Zeb's wife Echo and other familiar characters form the core of an action-packed mission, that ends in a curious twist. 

Read the wonderful Devil's Lake soon...copies are guaranteed to go fast!

[John Little · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're familiar with the series, you will recognize old friends and enjoy a couple of new characters that may appear in future stories...I hope that Mark keeps this series going but it may have run its course. I have read the first of his latest ventures. Zeb Hanks stories are more solid, but that may be the effect of being on continuing series.

Anyway, this is a good, fast-paced SW adventure. I liked it!