Cover Image: Never Name the Dead

Never Name the Dead

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Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Never name the Dead is the story of Mud, Kiowa nations person who had moved away from the reserve and started a business in California. Her grandfather calls her home as he believes he is in danger and needs her help.

The aspect of the story regarding the drama going on in California while Mud is on the reserve in Oklahoma seemed to be an after thought it was weak and just seemed to take away from the main story unnecessarily.

I really did enjoy the portrayal of First Nations people in this book. I am not First Nations and I felt like I got to learn a little bit about customs, traditions and the way First Nations life on a reserve is in modern day times - at least this specific one, I know everyone’s experience is different. I enjoyed the mystery on Mud finding her grandfather and piecing together what happened but I still don’t understand why a respected elder ran away and even once Mud found him, why he didn’t return to help set the record straight. He’s highly respected in the community and has the same amount of proof as Mud did but with his reputation on his side, which Mud did not have - that really seemed silly to me.

I think the story-telling of family values was well done. And overall I did enjoy the book but do think it could use some work.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very interesting story. I loved the use of Kiowa culture and history within the story because it really added depth. The history and culture were the best parts of this book. This was a quick paced and interesting read.

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I love this so much I could actually explode. It was beautiful and I learned a lot. I really appreciate the author making it a point to explain her language and customs. She shouldn't have to but she does. I plan to reccomend the book to everyone. It was so wonderful. I can't wait to read everything the author writes. I actually feel warm all over after this listen, despite the fact that it is freezing, and someone was murdered in the story.
That is true talent.
The narrator was perfection as well. I could listen to her all day everyday.

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From Goodreads..
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I liked learning about the Kiowa culture. I feel like in some spots the Kiowa background/history wasn’t segued in nicely and made the story feel choppy. I also always love seeing queer representation in books. The ending felt a little rushed, but I am intrigued about what happens next so if the author intends for this to be a series, I would definitely read the sequel.

As I saw someone else mention, the audio quality on the NetGalley app isn't the best (it was a little echo-y at times) and it seems like that's a NetGalley app thing and not the actual narration..?

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Not perfect, but really well done and super-interesting, especially the cultural insights.


Review copy provided by publisher.

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This was a fast paced mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Mae, or Mud as she is called by her people, has been called home by her grandfather. It is not a good time for her to be away from her business in Silicon Valley where her team is constantly calling her because of a project and her business partner is going off the rails. However, Mae has come when her grandfather called but he is not at the airport when she lands. What she finds is her people forced to sell of artifacts to survive, fracking ruining the land, and a dead body in her grandfather's home. When she and her cousin, Denny, set off to find their grandfather who has been accused of stealing one of the peace metals, she is forced to travel into the mountains where the vision quests are held. This all takes place over a short period of time, just a day or two so it is fast paced so hang on.

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Book Title: Never Name the Dead
Author: D.M. Rowell
Audiobook Narrator: Katie Anvil Rich
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Genre: Native American, Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: November 8, 202
My Rating: 🌝🌝🌝.4 Stars

This is debut novel by D.M. Rowell.

Mae (Mud) Sawpole receives an urgent message from her grandfather, James Sawpole, a Kiowa Tribal Elder, to come back home. There's no explanation. She drops everything including finalizing a major account in order to be with her grandfather. She currently is working in Silicon Valley, CA.
However, when Mae arrives at the small airport in Lawton, Oklahoma, her grandfather James is not there to meet her. In fact, no one knows exactly where he is.

Mae meets up with her cousin, Denny, and the two of them begin the search for her grandfather. Soon discover that fracking is destroying tribal land.

Needless to say, you will be cheering for Mud.
Narrator Katie Anvil Rich does a great job in performing the characters.

It appears this this story is inspired by the author’s own experience.


Want to thank NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 8, 2022.

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