Sheriff Zeb Hanks gets a dire warning regarding his own life and that of Deputy Jake Dablo from Olga Mae Hooper Feathers. Olga Mae is an elderly sheep and goat herder in the Galiuro Mountains of Graham County. She is at the core of long-standing Native American mysticism as well as having a personal history that is intertwined with Zeb's family. Olga Mae carries many secrets of the past.
Certain evil men are intent on getting Olga Mae to share those secrets. They are looking for a legendary gold stash for their own gain and will stop at nothing to get their hands on it. Others want to protect not only the gold, but the history of the Indian nation. They become obstacles for the men with gold fever. A high price is paid when the two collide.
This is a tale woven with the threads of family, deceit, desire and the lust for gold. Zeb is deftly aided by his new deputy, Clarissa Kerkhoff, who has deep family ties to the area. She grew up on a ranch near where the crime occurs. Deputy Kerkhoff’s ten-year military career as an MP makes her Zeb’s most able compatriot in solving the crime.
The mystery includes the usual cast of characters, including the highly competent but ever eavesdropping Helen Nazelrod, the somewhat disgruntled Deputy Sawyer Black Bear, the ever present and always sturdy Deputy Jake Dablo and the extremely competent computer expert Shelly Hamlin.
The intriguing tale of past, present and future involves a 100-year-old revenge and is replete with Native American legend, Indian lore, devious bad guys and people with the best of intentions.
Saddle up and enjoy the fast ride in this tale of lust, greed, history, revenge and love. Zeb is back, but what he doesn't know, could kill him.
NATIVE DESTINY is the eighth book in the ZEB HANKS: Small Town Sheriff Big Time Trouble series. Other books in the series include NATIVE BLOOD, HOLES IN THE SKY, ADIOS ANGEL, NATIVE JUSTICE, NATIVE BONES, NATIVE WARRIOR and NATIVE EARTH.
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!
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.
Mark Reps' amazing 8th book Native Destiny, is a Zeb Hanks adventure that takes place in the town of Safford, in the Grand Canyon State. The Sheriff's latest case deals with the spiritual as well as the corporeal, as his lover Echo Skysong prepares to assume an important role in the life of her people, the Apache, after tragic events unfold.
New Deputies Black Bear and Clarissa Kerkhoff, [the latter a temporary substitute for Kate Diamond, the new Mom in Zeb's Team], have family issues to deal with, when Clarissa's educationally challenged brother, Lamar, gets in with the wrong crowd and is led astray by Dram Hooper the ringleader, as is an Apache boy, Cle Feathers. During an investigation Zeb discovers and photographs strange hieroglyphs and cave paintings, which mean nothing to him, but mean everything to his fiancee Echo. After an evil murder takes place hers and Zeb's lives in Graham County will change for ever.
What did Olga Mae Feathers warn Zeb about before she was murdered? Who is hunting for something hidden? Who was the killer? Who are the Keepers of the Knowledge and how are they trained? Who burns down Jake's trailer? What else is set on fire and by what means? Where is the cabin where Cle hides? How is he badly hurt and by whom? Who later kills the arrow-maker? Where is the final shoot-out?
Sheriff Zeb Hanks and his loyal Team unite their various strengths and skills - and knowledge of Apache and White Man's mysteries and characters - to once more overcome those who desecrate the Ancient Places, showing the integrity of Justice and the strength of those who wish to keep the peace for all People.
I’ve been reading the whole series and I’m enjoying how the characters are developing. Zeb is deep into his new relationship with Echo who is a strong character herself. The team is hitting on all cylinders. Shelly the computer expert is also fun and adds more modern technology to the mix. Looking forward to book 9!
Loved the story,the characters were well developed and I am partial to Native American stories. I will now look for the previous 7. I found real people, not just story-conveyances.u
Sheriff Hanks definitely had his hands full with to this one! So much to deal with and so much to take care of his friends and county. Murders, mysteries and crazy people are all involved in this book. Wow! When is the next book coming out???
A interesting read that follows a 13 year old boy's journey to adult hood. Small town sheriff takes the young man under his wing along with his Indian medicine doctor and they get him out of the rut of his poor family. He grows up to be police officer.
Zeb and his deputies (and his girlfriend) get into and out of one problem after another as they search for the men who killed an old apache woman , and are trying to kill Sen and his deputy Jake. Good story. Recommended reading.
Loved this one! This series has out done it's self with this book! I loved that Echo played a big part in it too! Dread when there's no more books in it!