This is a book I requested free from NetGalley because the author is Native American, and that background is fully explored in ‘Silent Are the Dead’’, the second Mud Sawpole mystery. I loved the humour in this story. I think it would really appeal to readers who enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books. It has that same light banter between people who know each other really well, together with the element of solving a mystery, various quirky characters, including the obligatory outspoken elderly relative. It’s also written in such a way that it matters very little if you haven’t read the previous instalment because quick recaps are given whenever we meet a character.

I particularly enjoyed the glimpses into Kiowa beliefs and culture which were an integral part of the story, with Mud Sawpole urgently called back to the place she grew up by her storyteller grandfather, currently away on a spiritual quest. Coincidentally, when she arrives, a woman screams murder but no body is found. Then the tribe’s precious Jefferson medal goes missing, as well as other significant artefacts. Mud and her cousin Denny work as a team to investigate what’s going on. The plot is full of twists, turns, confusion and slapstick. It’s all a race against the clock because Mud has a deadline back in California where her storytelling agency has a vital presentation to prepare, so her nagging assistant adds another comic touch.

It’s not all comedy, however. There’s a real sense of the importance of the missing objects and of how devastating it would be to Kiowa society if they are stolen and disappear into a private collection. Their land is threatened by fracking, and there are internal fractions about who can consider themselves a member of the tribe. Can someone like Mud whose family history includes white forbears consider themselves Kiowa and inherit the tribal storyteller position her grandfather has appointed her to? And though much of the story is lighthearted, there are real moments of danger involving guns and snakes and villains out to kill anyone who threatens the success of their criminal activity.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Silent Are the Dead’ and would definitely read further instalments of the series. This review reflects my unbiased opinion after reading a free digital copy from NetGalley.

I enjoyed the aspect of Mud’s self-journey and learning about the Kiowa people more than solving the actual mystery. All the details between the fracking and the museum were getting a bit muddied (pun intended).

I had a hard time focusing on Mud and Denny’s suspicions, remembering who was where at what time and what everyone’s motive would be. I couldn’t get into it or try to solve the murder mystery along with them.

I actually had no idea this was a series until I got to the acknowledgments. Since I like Mud as a character I’m interested in reading more books in the series.

3.5 stars

As a mystery, I give it a 2, but as providing interesting cultural stories and histories of the Kiowa, it’s a 4.

My beloved Mud is back! And she's fighting fracking, which is also a cause I feel strongly about. I had a great time in this sequel to Never Name the Dead, and I think it's a pretty seamless continuation of Mud's story. It also picks up the pace and the action pretty quickly, if you're looking for something that will hook you right away! Stolen artifacts, crazy cousins, Kiowa storytellers, and more abound in this entertaining mystery. I don;t think the "whodunit" was overly difficult to guess, but it didn't diminish my enjoyment of the story.

I requested this book because I haven’t read much by Kiowa authors, and this book is centered in Kiowa life.

I’m not sure if this is considered a cozy mystery or not. I’m not much of a mystery fan, so I don’t feel qualified to discuss that. This does seem to hold true to many mystery tropes and will fill that "everything works out in the end" mystery fan’s may like.

This book was fine, but I did struggle to stay engaged. The action felt overcomplicated, the timelines unrealistic, and the foreshadowing was very heavy. There was also a repetitiveness that weighed down the narrative. Which is too bad, because there were elements that I really wanted to like.

Mud Sawpole is stuck. She is stuck between her traditional upbringing on Kiowa tribal lands in Oklahoma and her successful Silicon Valley business. Stuck between managing that business and stepping into an important role in her tribal community. Stuck remembering her relationship with a beautiful woman in that community, while that woman has moved on. Stuck trying to figure out what is going on in that community after she manages to unravel one murder, and gets drawn into solving another. She's also become aware that there is illegal fracking happening on her grandfather's land, and she needs to try and figure that out, with the help of her cousin Denny.

This is the 2nd in DM Rowell's series featuring Mud Sawpole. It continues Mud's journey of uncovering herself while uncovering layers of deceit. This series solidly adds to the Indigenous mystery canon - books that place the reader in a place, both geographically and culturally. If you are a Tony HIllerman or Thomas King fan, this series will work for you. The plus here is having a queer woman navigating this situation, while also trying to balance her place in the outside world. In Ontario, this would be an interesting addition to the NBE "Indigenous Voices" course, as the story is fast-paced, and brings in themes of environmentalism and trafficking in tribal artifacts. It might make a great pairing with Angeline Boulley's Warrior Girl Unearthed.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series, and hopefully finding out more about Mud's mischievous and mysterious brothers, who make an appearance here, obviously as a teaser.
This was a solid 4 star read for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the e-arc.

Silent Are the Dead is book two in the Mud Sawpole Series by D. M. Rowell.
I really enjoyed Never Name the Dead and was happy for the opportunity to read and review book two.
An engaging and intriguing mystery that pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages.
The Kiowa history and culture was very interesting and entertaining.
A thrilling ride through Kiowa country and culture, on the back of an exciting mystery.

Beginning immediately after the first book in the series, Mud continues to try and figure out who is stealing precious artifacts and who is assisting in the fracking of her native lands. But, my issues with the first book continued in this installment. When did anyone sleep? And did Mud miss that big ol' obvious clue because she was so sleep deprived? I think so! Did the reader need to spend so much time reading about Mud and her cousin, Denny, catching rattlesnakes? I think not. Likewise, her California business continues to distract and annoy me. I really thought it irresponsible of her to ditch the presentation preparation to stay at the reservation and investigate. Yes, it was important, but there wasn't an absolute time limit to investigate. Anyway, that is just me. I recognize that it was supposed to symbolize Mud straddling her two worlds, but it wasn't a very positive look at the situation. I want this series to continue and I was to continue reading it. I just hope the author, and Mud, find a better balance.

Medium paced, Mud has returned to their tribe, the Kiowas, after leaving their career. They come home to find scandal, secrets, and danger.

I did not realize that this was a sequel, I would be willing to read the first book and then read again - should've investigated that more! Cat and mouse game as Mud tries to research and uncover the secrets before another murder happens.

Mud's story continues in this second in a series that should be fine as a standalone. Know that this is imbued with the Kiowa culture- I learned a great deal-and that this actually might be more interesting than the mystery. as topical as it is. The issue of fracking and the theft of tribal artifacts see Mud working to identify the villain. This is, as was the last, a bit awkward in spots but the storytelling is good. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Mud is an intriguing character

Plot
Silent are the Dead is book number 2 in the Mud Sawpole series, but it can completely read as a standalone. The introductory chapters gave great details on the context, the characters, the Kiowa tribe and their culture. The murder was a good intrigue and the development of how each character fitted into the situation was done really well.
I did however feel like after fifteen or so chapters though, that there were no new twists or motivations to our main characters to react to.

Characters
The Kiowa culture and practices were deeply entrenched in the narrative that it was clear to me from the start which characters were Kiowa descendants and which characters were taking advantage of the tribe. Unfortunately, because of this I was not surprised when the killer was revealed, nor the brains of the fracking operation.

Narrative
The rattlesnake chapter was SO tense I was gripping my sofa arm the whole way through! However I didn't get the same sense of tension at any other point in the book which was a shame. I did enjoy the sweat round and how this journey was described.

Thank you NetGalley and DM Rowell for an ARC copy of this book

Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the free e_ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved Winter Counts and was hoping that this book would offer something similar. I did not read book #1 in this series and that was not an issue for me. If you pick this one up, just know that its not a griping crime novel. In fact, the crimes addressed were mundane and easy to figure out. I think this book is much more about telling the Kiowa story of its culture, traditions and rituals. Had I know that, I probably would not have requested this one. I found it to be too slow paced for my taste. Give it a read and see what you think.

This title just didn't do it for me. As it takes place on Kiowa land with primarily Kiowa characters, I'd been hoping for one of those reading experiences that combines solid mystery plotting with an opportunity to enter into a community outside my own. And it did offer these things.

For me, the problem was just that dialogue and characters felt oddly incomplete. I don't know how to explain it further. It was a bit like trying to drive with a somewhat fogged windshield.

It you like multicultural mysteries, the title is definitely worth a try. You may find strengths in it that I missed.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

This second entry in the Mud Sawpole mysteries picks up almost immediately after the end of book one, in which Mud rushed back from California to her Oklahoma hometown when her grandfather called out of the blue. She discovered there were frackers on her grandfather's land who were threatening him, and someone had been stealing artifacts important to the Kiowa from the tribe museum.

At the opening of this novel, right after the tribal meeting, Eli, an elder, is adamant with Denny and Mud. He wants a family headdress returned that his deadbeat son Buck, stole and sold. Then Georgie, Mud's former girlfriend and Buck's wife, alerts them that a body is in the tribal office. Except, then it vanishes.

Mud and Denny head over to the museum to speak with Gerald, with Georgie unfortunately in tow.

Mud is anxious to return to California and her urgent business concerns, but she is also concerned about the museum thefts and the frackers. Now, the dead body is at the museum, and the headdress is missing, Denny convinces her to help him clear Eli's name before calling the police. Georgie sticks with museum employee and her friend Brenda instead of concerning herself with investigating the situation at the museum.

Denny and Mud travel all over, talking to different people, have a near deadly and terrifying encounter with rattlesnakes, attempt to figure out who would have the clout and connections to be involved in both illegal fracking and theft of artifacts, which leads them to suspecting someone in the tribal office is involved.

Though you don't have to read book one to understand this story, I would strongly urge readers to start there. There is important information imparted by the author about Mud's family relationships and background, and historic and cultural information about the Kiowa that explains the depth of disrespect by the people damaging land through fracking, and the desecration of Kiowa culture by someone attempting to steal, forge and sell items of great family significance.

This book was engaging with never a dull minute. The pace starts fast and only takes one small, vital break while Mud reconnects with herself and her place in her culture, then races off again. The peace with which she approaches matters after a much needed talk with her Aunt Cora helps her slow her thoughts down enough to identify the person(s) behind the fracking and brings her to a realization about her holding on to some things from her past. She also figures out who is the murderer.

The writing is great, and I loved getting a slightly better understanding of Kiowa beliefs (e.g., the importance of owls) and it added wonderfully to the depth of the story.

I listened and read this book, and loved both experiences. Voice actor Katie Anvil Rich ably embodies Mud's inner conflict as she wants to help her Oklahoma family, even as she also wants to put her California-based business on a assured footing. I loved the way Rich handled the banter between Mud and the always impulsive Denny. Georgie is suitably irritating and self-centred, while Mud's Aunt Cora has the weight of her years and the wisdom she's gained shining through her calm voice.

I loved this story, and am eager to read and/or listen to what D.M. Rowell creates next.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books and to Dreamscape Media for the ARCs in exchange for my review.

I read the first novel in this series after being getting this arc as I missed that it was a sequel and I loved it as much as I loved this one. I love being educated on beliefs and traditions of others so I try to read as many books as I can by indigenous authors. The writing of this book is excellent, of a very high quality, it really keeps you entertained and transfixed. The characters were also written well and the story was different to what I expected. I would 100% recommend this book to others.

The second installment of the Mud Sawpole takes place on the same day as Mud and her cousin Denny seek to unravel yet another murder.

The follow-up to D. M. Rowell’s first Mud Sawpole novel Never Name the Dead, Silent Are the Dead opens with Mae/”Mud” Sawpole, an Oklahoma Kiowa tribal member, having been called home to help with an illegal fracking operation polluting a stream flowing through his land and threatening tribal welfare. A tribal meeting of elders, selected families, police, legislators, and the Kiowa chairman/chief is taking place at Kiowa headquarters in Carnegie, Oklahoma, and Mud and her cousin Denny Sawpole are there. The subject is not fracking, however. Someone has been stealing or buying valuable Kiowa regalia and relics at very low prices from tribal members needing money and selling them at many times the cost. The Jefferson Peace Medal, the tribes most prized relic given to the tribal leaders by Lewis and Clark, is back In the museum after having been stolen in Never Name the Dead. The body of the man believed to behind to behind the thefts and purchases/resales is found dead in an outbuilding at the tribal headquarters.

Mud now has two problems to solve, and worse yet, she has little time to accomplish her tasks. By the following afternoon, she must be back in Silicon Valley for an event that could bring fame and wealth to the start-up company she heads.

There are two murder suspects, one a tribal elder whose grandson sold the family’s priceless heirloom eagle feather headdress and the other a young Kiowa man who also sold artifacts but is believed to be in cahoots with the dead man. Mud and Denny are determined to clear the tribal elder, whom they know would never commit murder. The other suspect is now the husband of someone Mud has known since their Oklahoma childhood. This is only the beginning. The suspect list grows as does the danger to the investigating cousins.

Racing from place to place, town to town, across Southern Oklahoma, Mud and Denny are desperate to solve both the fracking and murder cases within the few hours Mud has. Worked into the story, traditional beliefs and ceremonies add local color and depth.

As an Oklahoman for the past forty years, I’m familiar with the places such as Lawton, Medicine Park, Mount Scott sacred to the Kiowas, and Carnegie--home to the tribal museum, casino, and government--all of which figure into Rowell’s novel to varying degrees.

Because I had difficulty keeping the many characters straight in the first few pages, I suggest jotting down brief identifications for reference as needed. The rapid-paced plot will quickly draw readers in, and the rattlesnakes in the fracking office and Mud’s traditional sweat lodge experience will most likely stay with everyone for some time after finishing the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for an advance reader egalley of this highly recommended new novel. I will watch for #3 in D. M. Rowell’s Mud Sawpole series.

I uploaded my review to Goodreads. I will upload it to Amazon on release day.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and DM Rowell for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Silent are the Dead coming out November 19, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I didn’t realize it was the second book, so I need to read the first one. I really love Native American stories and mysteries, so I was excited to check this out. I’m not super familiar with Kiowa, so I loved learning more about them and glossary to Kiowa words at the end of the book was really helpful. I really loved Mud and Denny’s characters. The plot was really interesting and I loved the idea of two worlds, trying to live in society and stay true to your heritage. The writing was wonderful.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Native American mysteries.

Silent Are the Dead by D. M. Rowell is the embodiment of the perfect sequel to an amazing book, carrying the reader along at a breakneck pace as the loose threads from the first book move toward solution.
Exquisitely written, with an insight into the culture of Kiowas, an indigenous North American tribe, the storytelling rings true as it sweeps the reader through a fascinating mystery. The fast pace is only temporarily relieved by the relative calm of the main character Mud's next step in her quest to merge the two worlds in which she stands, one foot in each. The change in pace is drastic, which is no doubt the point; one must take time to centre oneself, to connect with what is important, to be effective in ones goals. Then the speed returns, taking the reader on another amazing ride to the end of the book.
The author doesn't preach, demonstrating the true strength of a skillful storyteller as the characters navigate clues of deceit, duplicity, and danger to solve the mysteries facing them. The suspense and tension is palpable in Rowell's hands, making the book difficult to put down.
I look forward to the next instalment of Mud's storyline.
Thank you for the incredible ARC of #SilentaretheDead from #NetGalley.

“Silent Are the Dead” by D.M. Rowell is a captivating sequel in the Mud Sawpole series, where cultural heritage meets modern threats in a high-stakes mystery. Mud Sawpole, a former Silicon Valley professional who has returned to her Kiowa roots, faces her toughest challenge yet as she navigates illegal fracking operations and the betrayal of tribal members who steal sacred artifacts.

The novel beautifully blends Kiowa traditions with modern dilemmas, making it more than just a mystery—it’s an exploration of identity, belonging, and the significance of cultural preservation. Mud’s struggle between her professional obligations and her commitment to the tribe adds depth to her character, while the vivid descriptions of Kiowa ceremonies and landscapes immerse the reader in the setting.

Rowell’s narrative keeps the tension high as Mud and her cousin Denny race against time to solve a murder and recover the stolen relics. The complex web of deceit and danger is further enriched by the portrayal of the tribe’s internal politics and the external threats from corporate interests. While the book can be enjoyed as a standalone, it’s clear that Mud’s journey is far from over. “Silent Are the Dead” is a compelling and culturally rich mystery that fans of Indigenous fiction will appreciate. Highly recommended!