Native Bones

Zeb Hanks Mystery #5

by Mark Reps

Sheriff Zeb Hanks finds himself in a race against time when two funeral directors, one Apache and one White, are brutally murdered. Determined to bring the culprits to justice, Zeb joins forces with San Carlos Tribal Police Chief Rambler Braing. As they follow leads, the list of potential suspects continues to grow. Prime suspects include evangelic snake handler and Town Talk Diner owner, the current newly elected San Carlos tribal chairman, the tribal chairman's wife, even the brother of the dead Apache mortician.The investigation takes a chilling turn when a mysterious individual, known for collecting historic Apache artifacts, is orchestrating the desecration of Apache graves. Adding to the complexity, Zeb's newest deputy, Devon Dawbyns, appears to have ulterior motives. With Dawbyn's connections to Washington, D.C. and the FBI, Zeb finds himself scrambling to protect his own secrets while unraveling the escalating crimes in his county.Whether you're diving into the series for the first time or reading NATIVE BONES as a standalone, you are promised an exhilarating experience. Join ZEB HANKS as he saddles up and prepares to confront the mounting crimes in Graham County head-on.Wonderfully written - Another great book in the series. The history and cultural aspects add to the backdrop of the area in which the books take place. I look forward to reading more. -- Reader Fans of Longmire and Tony Hillerman will enjoy Zeb Hanks. -- Reader

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 13, 2015

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!

Signup for new releases and free content: http://eepurl.com/b6_7m-/

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

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing, unique plot, great characters, and lots of action.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to read books involving the Native American people. I say this was between a 3 and a 4 star rating. Two people who worked at the funeral home were found murdered and a body of a man was dropped off .People in this town had a habit of just dumping dead bodies off at the funeral home mainly because most Indians couldn't afford to pay for funerals for them. A black man who always wanted to be in the political field was sent there to help find out who this dead man was and why he also disappeared from the funeral home. We have a lot of people through out the story so in the ending it may get hard to keep track of whose who in the story line.

[Avis Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brutal murders of two funeral directors, one Apache and one White, have the tribal police chief and the local sheriff teaming up to solve these crimes quickly. The list of suspects continues to grow with every new lead. With a mysterious collector of historic Apache artifacts, who is hiring people to dig up their graves, along with a coffee shop owner, who is also an evangelical snake handler and the tribal chair and his wife. Even the missing man's brother are all subjects. This story has a lot of twists and turns and keeps you interested that it's hard to put down.
I recommend this book to those who love mysteries!

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Native Bones - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Once more Sheriff Zeb Hanks is involved, as skulduggery is definitely afoot on the Rez, in the Grand Canyon State, in this winner for skilled storyteller Mark Reps.

A new Deputy, Devon Dawbyns is signed on as replacement for the late Delbert, [so tragically killed in an earlier book], on the recommendation of a US Senator. Zeb was saved from a likely jail term in Native Justice, following Zeb's criminal activities in Mexico, infiltrating a drug and people-smuggling Cartel and taking contraband and illegal immigrants across the US border.
Now the Senator wants a favor in return and asks Zeb to find his missing illegitimate son, who goes by the name of Sun Rey, a New-Age guru who wrangles poisonous snakes and performs healings at his revival meetings. Another newcomer to the Rez, is Evangelist Preacher, Reverend Kurker. When bodies turn up - and mysteriously vanish in one case - Zeb, his friends and new colleague must pull together before anyone else bites the dust, in this tale of poisonous hatred and innocence betrayed on many levels, before the truth is finally revealed.

What is being illegally traded on the Rez? Who are the Bingham brothers? Whose body is found and why was the victim there?
Who is the unlikely killer? What was his motive for hiring and then killing his workers? Who were the first two victims murdered - and why?
Whose body disappeared from the undertaker's parlor? Who is Nations? How is this person involved? What happens in the killer's basement?

These fantastic books just keep getting better and better - more please!

[isaBEL ESPINAL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fighting evil, and powerful enemies, trying to seek justice.

I’m really hooked reading your fascinating stories, a fan of Native American Indian culture, lore and magic, their contact with nature. Love how the sheriff zeb Hanks solve the misteries about murders, with the help of his team Jake, Kate,Helen,Josh,Song Bird. Each story in unique.

[Penny Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bones and more

People have been murdered, another missing and no one knows why. Zeb has a new deputy he knows is a plant by a Senator. He has to figure out how to keep the FBI away from his previous trips to Mexico. Find a killer, talk to families and he and Rambler need to keep the town and reservation settled.

[Peggy Tree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one fantastic mystery. It grabbed me from the beginning to the end. I loved the storyline, liked the characters and it's basically a n unputdownable, enjoyable, entertaining read. I loved the ending. This book would make a great movie.

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, very much! The things I learned about the Apache people were ones, I hadn't known before. The plot was good from beginning to end, and the characters were believable. I do highly recommend this book.

[Lydia Main · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing detective story

Interesting story of trouble people trying to make sense of people that make no effort to be empathetic. Thinking only of their own interests and revenge.

[Diane Worthen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Zeb Hanks story

Mark has given us another great episode in the Zeb Hanks story. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Wow!!!

[Dan Warner]

I always enjoy reading the Zen Hanks series.

[Jerry Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent story with great characters.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about the ups & downs of American law involving the American native peoples and their customs. Mr. Reps you have done the research wonderfully. Congrats on a job well done.

[Bill Tyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Read

I always enjoy reading about the native Americans in the American Southwest. Might have given 5 stars if not for the numerous typos.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never guessed this ending!

Well written! This one keeps you wondering the whole book! Zeb and the deputies are back and once again track down the bad guy!

[Govno Nichevo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that overall this was an okay read. Strong in some places but a bit run of the mill in others, and would benefit from another round of editing. An entertaining enough story.

[Peggy Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I really enjoyed this book not only because I didn't figure out the real culprit until it was revealed but because of the great information on the Apache.

[Althea Rogoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great lots of twists and turns in this mystery !

Did not figure out who done it till the very end!

[Teresa Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved mysteries set in the west among the Indian reservations. Maybe it harkens back to my childhood and my love of playing cowboys and Indians. I also love that section of the US with the amazing colors of the desert and the beauty of the surrounding country. So Mark Reps' Zeb Hanks series is right up my alley. Add in some great and interesting characters, plenty of action, and a very interesting mystery and this was a book made for me. Once again I have managed to start right in the middle of a series, but I wasn't lost at all and I can't wait to go back and read about all that has come before. I highly recommend this series and look forward to whatever comes next.

[Michele bookloverforever · Rating 4 out of 5]

glad to see sheriff zeb back. Still mourns his wife's death. blackmailed into taking on a deputy from Washington DC. in v estimating 2 or is it 3 murders...turns into 5...and a serious case of grave robbing native American bones and artifacts. there are one or two mentally ill people loose in . the community, a scheduling politician too. good plot.

[Linda Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot was good

Each book I have read by Mark Reps in the Zen Hanks series has become better and better. However the proof reading needs to be better. Spelling along with words in wrong place are some errors that should have been discovered easily.

[JR · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok mystery

I wanted to like this book and think the author had a great idea for the mystery and several clever twists...but the writing is a little stiff and overall it's a slow read because it just doesn't hold your attention.

[Linette M. Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book

I found this book to be very enjoyable to read. The characters and the location and heritage of the people became real while giving me a taste of the Navajo culture. This is my first of many good readings!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series and the main character, Zeb Hanks. The author does a great job blending a crime to be solved with learning about the Apache culture. Descriptions are rich of the landscape. Always a treat to find a new author that tells a great story.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best of the Zeb books to date!

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Have read several of the books by this author and have found that the books to be a very entertaining read

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a great read. Great idea for a mystery and some clever twists and turns but the author's writing style leaves a lot to be desired.

[mickey ferris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

Excellent reading, good plot. The sheriff's came through a long with his deputies. Devon was a good addition. I enjoyed the story.