It was so interesting to read a book set in a context other than the Western mainstream which we see in so many other mysteries. Also interesting to me was the concept of a doula and I was interested to learn more about the ideas and beliefs behind such a role. While I really enjoyed the book, I felt it was left a little bit hanging at the end and a few questions remain unanswered.

The synopsis of this book drew me in - a mystery set in the Navajo Nation reserve
The book is set both in the present and in the past - I don't usually like reading a book written in this
fashion but in this case it worked
I liked the introduction of a white teenage girl into a Native American setting with all its myths
about spirits etc and the pitfalls of trying to live in two worlds , where alcoholism is rife within the community
Where exploitation of the Natives by outsiders has repercussions both in the past and for the future
Marin has been living as an end of life doula - her emotions take a battering with every death - when
she receives an invitation from her long ago friend , an invitation that is not all it seems
What follows is her journey where reliving the past becomes necessary to reach her destination
I did not like the attitude of the Navajo Policeman , an old acquaintance , when she was attacked
and I'm not sure another policeman in the same situation would treat her in the same way and allow
her attacker to walk free , able to follow and attack her again
It's from this point that the story takes an unexpected turn , one I found hard to believe , one I found
rushed to an ending where so many questions remained unanswered
I presume this leaves an opening for a future book

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This was a great book. The mystery in the thriller both so palpable and it kept me on the edge of my seat. This was a quick read, because I wanted to get to the ending and find out what happens. It had a lot of twists and turns out it was really good.

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

This was a strong start to the Marin Sinclair series, it had that opening chapter that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall story going on. The characters had that element that I was looking for and was glad it was so well done. I’m excited to read more in this series and loved the way this was written.

Marin spent part of her youth on the Navajo reservation while her father taught at the school. Now she is headed back to the reservation after receiving a card from her former best friend, letting her know she is needed. From the time she enters the reservation, Marin encounters one danger after another. Two men are chasing her car, trying to kidnap her, and she has no idea what is going on or who to trust. The story switches between the present day and her past and you learn of her traumas and pain. There is some Dineh culture in the book, but mainly there is the difficulty in straddling the Dineh world and the white world. Payne captures the look and feel of the land very well.
I enjoyed the story and the mystery of why she was being pursued. The novel is full of angst, but pulls you into the story.
Thank you to Rabbit Hole LLC and NetGalley for the ARC.