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There are old worlds and new worlds, ancient cultures and new civilizations, young men and old men. They all coincide, clash and collide in rural Arizona as a small town sheriff works at solving the murder of a young Apache girl.
A ritual killing takes the reader through the many layers of relationships between Apache and Anglo cultures. The myth and spiritual fabric of the Apache community pulls a small town sheriff into a personal journey, making the murder not just a crime to solve, but a passage through memory and being.
The dead never leave us, but whisper old ghost stories in our ear and bring the past to the surface. The psychology of the murder is explored in detail as you see the twists and turns of life dissolve into the ultimate act of retribution, the murder of innocence.
Jake Dablo, a drunken, washed up lawman is unable to get beyond the death of his only grandchild. When an Apache girl is murdered, her Medicine Man grandfather calls upon Jake, his lifelong friend for assistance. They join forces with the current sheriff’s team and uncover the corruption and hidden lives in the tribal reservation and the white world. The closer to the truth they get the more surreal their surroundings become as each culture grapples with the secrets of its own past.
Ultimately the intersection of two cultures and four men who are community pillars, opens larger questions about the collision of the old and new west. When the dead are buried and the ghosts finally die, each character is not the same. For they have lived with each day of their life knowing that a murderer and his mark opens as many doors as it closes.

1 pages, Audio CD

First published March 13, 2013

670 people are currently reading
245 people want to read

About the author

Mark Reps

36 books48 followers
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.

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5 stars
347 (38%)
4 stars
301 (33%)
3 stars
170 (18%)
2 stars
58 (6%)
1 star
26 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Robin.
1,977 reviews98 followers
November 1, 2024
Zeb Hanks was a deputy when Sheriff Jake Dalbo's granddaughter was murdered. Now, seven years to the day, Zeb is the new sheriff and there is another young girl dead. This time the victim is the granddaughter of Apache Medicine Man Jimmy Song Bird. Just like the previous murder, the victim had her heart cut out of her body. Even though the Native American's have their own tribal police, they're asking for Zeb's help in finding the killer.

This story started off strong with the murder and the initial investigation. But it veered off into Zeb's dating life. His girlfriend Doreen flirts with everyone, calling them "Sugar Dumpling" in a heavy southern accent. I really didn't understand how she fit into the story (or how he could stand her). The investigation also took a turn when Zeb began having dreams that Jimmy Song Bird interpreted. Why Zeb would be having these dreams, I have no idea. My rating: 3 Stars.
8 reviews
August 16, 2020
This has been amended -- notated by an '*'.

Unsure if I'd like it, especially after reading Margaret Coel (Arapaho mysteries), C.J. Box (Joe Picket series), R. Allen Chappell (Navajo mysteries) and of course, Tony Hillerman. Results? I liked it (* after lying awake all night pondering my review, I decided that it seemed the plot was cobbled together at times. I downgraded my review to two stars from four). Characters are believable (* mostly. His girlfriend in the diner is way over-acted.), lots of Apache culture and spirituality (* mysticism plays too big a part, I think) , and a decent mystery (* except for the things that are either not fully thought out, dead end, or don't make sense in the whole picture). It's fascinating to discover the similarities between the Southwestern Native American Nations as far as culture, customs, superstitions, and religion are concerned.

Some other reviewers complained about weak plot (* They're correct. A few red herrings and a conclusion that came out of the blue -- where was the policework? Too much circumstance and a rabbit-out-of-a-hat conclusion), unrealistic characters (* in retrospect, the characters really are weak), proof-reading and geographical gaffes (wouldn't know -- I'm from Florida). I look at it this way: This is the first in a series. I especially enjoy serialized novels because I can watch the characters AND the author grow over time. I always start at the first novel and read in order.

Anyway, a good read (* an ok read) and I will try one more to see if they're worth following. I'm disappointed that I found so many things out of place after re-analyzing the book during my restless sleep.
Profile Image for Melissa Stevens.
Author 121 books511 followers
September 21, 2016
Good story, and I have high hopes for the following books, but there were a few issues. Mostly formatting but there were also geographical inconsistencies. Having spent more than 20 years in the area, I may be a little sensitive about it though.
Profile Image for Bonnye Reed.
4,696 reviews110 followers
February 15, 2025
Kindle Unlimited
In the Zep Hanks Mystery Series we are with the native American Apache Tribe in Arizona, a little town called Safford between Tucson and the border of New Mexico. Zeb is Sherriff in Grants County, which butts up to the reservation and Zeb has close lifelong ties with the folks who live on the nearby San Carlos Indian Reservation. Zeb is a big man - six foot three, 230 pounds, and was a detective for several years before his childhood mentor Sheriff Jake Dablo decided to retire and Zeb ran for and won his place at the helm.
Native Blood is the first in this series, but is preceded by #0.5, Native Roots, which sets us up nicely for this story. I received this prequel from the author, and the series is also available on Kindle Unlimited.
In this first of the series, we have the heinous murder of a 14-year-old native girl, Amanda Song Bird, the granddaughter of tribal medicine man Jimmy Song Bird. The crime is a carbon-copy of the murder of then-sheriff Jake Dablo's grandaughter Angel Bright exactly 7 years before. Occurring on the same day these communities were already mourning Angel - the 18th of October. No doubt in anyone's mind, these crimes were committed by the same person. But who? And for God's sake, WHY? Who in their small community could internally justify the murder of innocent, beloved young girls? And how could they remain unrecognized and hidden, in plain sight of them all?
This author brings into your mind pictures of the beauty that is the desert southwest, and so well defines his protagonists that they feel like friends and family. His mystery is well concealed but ultimately obvious, essentially the perfect tale for a winter's night. I can highly recommend him to friends and family. This is a series I am thoroughly enjoying.
REVIEWED on February 15, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
Profile Image for Kris McCracken.
1,886 reviews62 followers
July 5, 2025
“Native Blood” kicks off with a gutting premise: a 14-year-old Native girl, Amanda Song Bird, is murdered in exactly the same way, on exactly the same date, as the former sheriff’s granddaughter seven years earlier. Same day, same horror, same question: who could do this, and how are they still walking free?

It should’ve been devastating. Instead, it sort of wanders.

The plot limps along with too many red herrings, not nearly enough actual policework, and a final reveal that just drops out of the sky. There’s no build, no earned twist, just a shrug disguised as a climax. I wanted grit, not guesswork.

That said, the sense of place is strong. Reps clearly knows Arizona and has genuine affection for the community he's writing about. There are some smart undercurrents too: the uneasy overlap of old and new, tribal and settler, history and silence. It’s all there, trying to get out.

But the characters? Wobbly. Zep’s fine - big, broody, half-haunted - but the younger tribal leader is a total cardboard cut-out. If you’re going to write across cultures, give your characters interiority, not just dignity and a few wise lines.

And the sudden detour into Zep’s sex life? Mate. Read the room. It’s not the time for scented candles.
Profile Image for Mandi Scott.
512 reviews14 followers
September 21, 2025
“Native Blood” is the first book in the Zeb Hanks series by Mark Reps. Billed as a cross between Tony Hillerman and Craig Johnson, the novels are set in southeastern Arizona near an Apache Indian Reservation. Zeb is the local sheriff for the town of Safford. The plot of this first installment is extremely gruesome. The dialogue is terrible. And at least in this first installment, Reps is no Hillerman or Johnson. But hey, the audiobook was temporarily offered for free on Amazon’s Audible app, so I gave it a try. Someone must like the series because to date there are 16 books featuring Zeb.
6 reviews
January 31, 2021
Gross.Trash.Despicable. Don’t bother if you want a decent book.

This author is too much of a racist for me. First of all you have no right to use the word Indian EVER when referring to any of us indigenous peoples. Second of all your disgustingly and openly racist and narrow minded main character can go to the deepest corner of the world and be forgotten. Referring to ANP as drunks and thieves. Sounding real “all lives matter”-ish and the thinking that all minorities wanting equality and peace are “liberal radicals”. Don’t waste you time if you’re here as a suggestion based on Sam Chitto, Navajo Nation Mysteries or John Treehorn books. If I could give no stars I would.
Profile Image for Randy Daugherty.
1,156 reviews43 followers
January 24, 2024
There are old worlds and new worlds, ancient cultures and new civilizations, young men and old men. They all coincide, clash and collide in rural Arizona as a small town sheriff works at solving the murder of a young Apache girl.
A ritual killing takes the reader through the many layers of relationships between Apache and Anglo cultures. The myth and spiritual fabric of the Apache community pulls a small town sheriff into a personal journey, making the murder not just a crime to solve, but a passage through memory and being.
The dead never leave us, but whisper old ghost stories in our ear and bring the past to the surface. The psychology of the murder is explored in detail as you see the twists and turns of life dissolve into the ultimate act of retribution, the murder of innocence.
Jake Dablo, a drunken, washed up lawman is unable to get beyond the death of his only grandchild. When an Apache girl is murdered, her Medicine Man grandfather calls upon Jake, his lifelong friend for assistance. They join forces with the current sheriff’s team and uncover the corruption and hidden lives in the tribal reservation and the white world. The closer to the truth they get the more surreal their surroundings become as each culture grapples with the secrets of its own past.
Ultimately the intersection of two cultures and four men who are community pillars, opens larger questions about the collision of the old and new west. When the dead are buried and the ghosts finally die, each character is not the same. For they have lived with each day of their life knowing that a murderer and his mark opens as many doors as it closes.I enjoyed this, the characters were mostly believable though could use a little more filling out.
Zeb is serious about solving this and a past murder, but in seeking answers finds more questions. Zeb comes to having to decide between the law and justice. I would read others in this series to see how it develops.
Profile Image for Rosemary.
3,859 reviews68 followers
May 28, 2018
Native Blood - a review by Rosemary Kenny

Two young teenage girls one Mormon and one Native Indian - are kidnapped seven years apart and horribly brutalized and murdered, before their advancement ceremonies can take place. Both similarly ritualistic murders were of the granddaughters of then Sheriff, Jake Dablo and Tribal Elder and Medicine Man, Jimmy Song Bird, who are both long-time friends of the new Sheriff, the eponymous Zeb Hanks, set in the Grand Canyon State.

Who else is missing? What dream do Zeb and another person share about the recently dead girl? Who interprets this dream?
Who is Angeline Rigella Bright? What was special about the way candles were used in the killings? Who is Zeb dating now - and years before?

The shocking truth behind gruesome killings will surprise and horrify you and definitely make you glad the killer is brought to justice and the law 'wins' for the People.
Profile Image for Bruce Mendelson.
154 reviews2 followers
August 20, 2024
This is a very good opening book for the Zeb Hanks series. I enjoyed the writing style, the character development and the frequent references to Apache culture. This isn't in the same league as Tony Hillerman. But, it is an entertaining book that also gives one a look into Apache culture. This book revolves around two gruesome murders; one victim was the granddaughter of an Apache medicine man, and her murder closely resembled a long-unsolved murder of the daughter of a former sheriff. Both crimes were committed in a ritualistic manner. The murders were committed on the same day of the month although years apart, both involved young girls on the eve of womanhood and both victims were from respected families. Solving the mystery occurs in a somewhat predictable pattern. But I enjoyed the introduction of Zeb Hanks, the main character, and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
931 reviews
January 10, 2021
Though a bit unpolished at times and in need of editing, Native Blood is a good thriller. When the body of a Native American girl is discovered on tribal lands, the police request the aid of Sheriff Zeb Hanks and his police force to solve this crime….one that is very similar to a brutal murder that took place a few years earlier. It was interesting to read this murder mystery and learn a little about Native American customs. I will be reading the next in the series.
Profile Image for Vickie.
162 reviews9 followers
December 6, 2025
Took me a little while

It took me a little while to get into this book. Of course, I love it when good trumps evil. I enjoyed the indigenous spiritual aspect of the story. I do plan to read another book before I decide if I enjoy this series. I believe the storyline could have had more depth to it. But then i am not the author of this series so we will see. After all this was the first book in the series.
Profile Image for Claudia.
2,986 reviews38 followers
January 28, 2019
I love this book. The story is gripping, the cultural background fascinating, and the writing superb, with a very surprising ending.

The little asides from the killer's POV are a good choice and the narration by Malcolm Hillgartner is really good.

Zeb is a great character, although I could have done without the romance, but then, that maybe be just me :P

I will keep reading this series :D
1,727 reviews13 followers
February 19, 2019
Native Blood is a continuation in the series. This story relates to solving a murder, but by doing so it clears up questions from the past. The characters are well written and the flow of the story keeps the reader interested.

The ending clears up a lot of mysteries related to events which happened earlier..I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Katherine A. McClure.
49 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2017
A captivating book!

I give Native Blood a five star rating. The story line is easy to follow and the characters are interesting and very human. I loved the surprise ending. I'll be reading more books in this Mark Reps series.
791 reviews6 followers
March 22, 2019
I enjoyed the book and was impressed by the description of the local area in which the plot was written. Some humor and small town sheriff thoughts but still a good read and I would consider reading other stories in the series.
2,506 reviews6 followers
April 1, 2019
This is a murder mystery about an evil man who kills young girls and the small town sheriff who hunts him. It’s a good mystery but perfused with angst. Interesting characters, believable dialogue, reasonable resolution — yet the ending is rather unsatisfying...
Profile Image for Jeannine.
798 reviews7 followers
August 22, 2020
This seemed like something I would like considering my fondness for similar books, however, it did not hold up to the others. The writing seemed stilted and contrived. Full of cliches and fabricated emotion. As much as I tried, I could not get into the characters or the plot.
Profile Image for Cynthia  Scott.
697 reviews6 followers
June 30, 2021
I couldn’t stand to finish this book. Story would have been okay. Interesting background of Apache culture. But the writing was so overblown, like a bodice ripper. So many adjectives in every sentence. Too bad he didn’t have a better editor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
182 reviews1 follower
February 23, 2022
Ritualistic and Gruesome

How does a "White Man" investigate the death of an Apache child on tribal land without disrespecting the customs and rituals of the Apache Tribe? Great insight between two different systems of justice.
3,583 reviews16 followers
March 12, 2022
A very good story!

Loved this book! You have to fall for Zeb Hanks, A grown man who still blushes! Loved the way the four came together to solve the mystery of who the killer was. Perfect justice!
Profile Image for Claire Grace.
172 reviews
November 3, 2022
Taking Care of Trouble

I liked this modern western drama....a sheriff, several murders committed in a world where the guy expressed his hate by murdering innocent Native women. He served justice in the end. Can't wait to read Reps' book in this series.
Profile Image for Judith Barretta.
11 reviews
July 12, 2023
This was a pleasant quick read book. The characters were believable. and many very likable others despicable. I thought that I knew who the bad guy was, but was very wrong. Loved the contrast that played out in the story of not only the landscape but the different cultures.. I would recommend to those who like a good mystery.
137 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2024
Native Blood was an enjoyable and interesting book. I enjoyed Mark Reps manner in laying out the various Apache customs and the relation to white man's customs. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Kathy Seymour.
54 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2018
Great book it touches the soul of the two old friends. It's a hard book to put down.
1 review
March 18, 2018
An easy read, but not much of a mystery as to "who did it". Mediocre, especially if you have read books of C.J.Box or the Longmire books.
1 review
December 1, 2018
Good mystery.

Gripping story well written and researched.
Looking forward to reading another.
The characters were brought to life in a skill fully written way.
Profile Image for Bruce.
157 reviews1 follower
April 4, 2019
Looks like a great start to the series. Looking forward to reading the rest.
Profile Image for Phil Matthews.
509 reviews2 followers
July 13, 2019
Okay

Interesting plot with some typical twists. Too long and drawn out for my taste. The gruesome details are not to my liking.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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