Mask of the Deer Woman - by Laurie L Dove (Hardcover)

About the Book

"To find a missing young woman, the new tribal marshal must also find herself. At rock bottom following her daughter's murder, ex-Chicago detective Carrie Starr has nowhere to go but back to her roots. Starr's father never talked much about the reservation that raised him, but they need a new tribal marshal as much as Starr needs a place to call home. In the last decade, too many young women have disappeared from the rez. Some dead, others just... gone. Now, local college student Chenoa Cloud is missing, and Starr falls into an investigation that leaves her drowning in memories of her daughter-the girl she failed to save. Starr feels lost in this place she thought would welcome her. And when she catches a glimpse of a figure from her father's stories, with the body of a woman and the antlers of a deer, Starr can't shake the feeling that the fearsome spirit is watching her, following her. What she doesn't know is whether Deer Woman is here to guide her or to seek vengeance for the lost daughters that Starr can never bring home"--

Book Synopsis

AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

To find a missing young woman, the new tribal marshal must also find herself.

At rock bottom following her daughter's death, ex-Chicago detective Carrie Starr has nowhere to go but back to her roots. Starr's father never talked much about the reservation where he was raised, but the tribe needs a new marshal as much as Starr needs a place to call home.

In the past decade, too many young women have disappeared from the rez. Some have ended up dead, others just...gone. Now local college student Chenoa Cloud is missing, and Starr falls into an investigation that leaves her drowning in memories of her daughter--the girl she failed to save.

Starr feels lost in this place she thought would welcome her. And when she catches a glimpse of a figure from her father's stories, with the body of a woman and the antlers of a deer, Starr can't shake the feeling that the fearsome spirit is watching her, following her.

What she doesn't know is whether Deer Woman is here to guide her or to seek vengeance for the lost daughters that Starr can never bring home.

Review Quotes

"Dove, a reporter and creative writing professor in Kansas, sensitively tackles the systemic crisis that has ripped apart so many Native American communities."
--The New York Times

"Dove skillfully blends suspense with cultural depth, highlighting urgent social issues while delivering a gripping mystery. The vivid depiction of life on the reservation, combined with stark realities and eerie folklore, creates a captivating, layered narrative. With twists, complex characters and emotional weight, Mask of the Deer Woman is a powerful read for fans of dark, riveting reads and those seeking stories rooted in justice and resilience."
--The Seattle Times

"Mask of the Deer Woman is an astonishingly effective thriller, filled with complex characters, urgent suspense, a vivid sense of the land, and genuine mystery."
--BookTrib

"Intense and highly visual, Mask of the Deer Woman is for fans of mysteries, suspense and heartfelt stories with a touch of magical realism."
--Mystery and Suspense Magazine

"Mask of the Deer Woman by Laurie L. Dove is a fantastic, intriguing and unique thriller with so much more! I loved it."
--Heather Graham, New York Times bestselling author of The Reaper Follows

"Mask of the Deer Woman shines an important spotlight on the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis while folding a compelling mystery into a heartfelt journey of grief, identity, and reconnection."
--Vanessa Lillie, USA Today bestselling author of Blood Sisters

"A beautifully written tale about the Indigenous girls who disappear twice, once in life and once in the news. Clever, elegant and utterly compelling, Mask of the Deer Woman is a brilliant exploration of identity and the struggle of being separated from one's culture. Hypnotic and beguiling, I was hooked from the first sentence."
--Christina McDonald, USA Today bestselling author of These Still Black Waters

"A thriller that dreams are made of--thoroughly engrossing, riveting, an absolute pleasure. The work of a rare, singular talent."
--Chris Mooney, #1 New York Times bestselling coauthor of Walk in My Combat Boots

"Spotlighting the real life crisis of Native women and girls who are abducted and murdered at an astonishing rate, Laurie L. Dove presents a vital story of danger, corruption, and a fraying thread of hope in Indian Country. Full of mystery, suspense, and an enthralling dose of Native mythology, Mask of the Deer Woman is both a propulsive thriller and a much-needed call to action."
--Nick Medina, author of Indian Burial Ground

"Laurie Dove masterfully tells a suspenseful story with a complex protagonist who straddles the worlds between the living and the dead and her dual heritages. A compelling read."
--Iris Yamashita, author of City Under One Roof

"Mask of the Deer Woman is a creepy, atmospheric page-turner and a thoughtful exploration of identity and belonging. Dove's detailed descriptions plunge the reader into the world of an Oklahoma reservation and its troubled inhabitants. Above all, this immersive debut is an ode to women's resilience and the powerful bonds between mothers and daughters."
--K.T. Nguyen, author of You Know What You Did

"A compelling and sinister story that brings to life the real, shocking epidemic of violence against native women, led by a complex character divided from her own identity and history."
--Lori Rader-Day, award-winning author of The Death of Us

"Dove seamlessly weaves magical threads into a narrative that reminds us of the forces beyond what is seen, and the importance of protecting and cherishing women."
--Mary Sullivan, author of High

"Mask of the Deer Woman stunningly illuminates the reality of young indigenous women gone missing from the 326 reservations in the U.S., through a mix of mystery and myth, and a cast of suspects including intriguing locals and scheming officials. In creating a flawed, damaged protagonist, author Laurie Dove brings additional gravitas to this tribal mystery."
--Daphne Kalotay, author of The Archivists

"Mask of the Deer Woman is both mystery and character study, and Carrie is both easy to root for and difficult to like. She has hard edges and a wounded heart. This is a novel that will keep you awake at night--reading it, thinking about it, and later dreaming about it."
--William Holinger, author of The Fence-walker

About the Author

Laurie L. Dove is a reporter and editor whose work has appeared in numerous publications and garnered several honors for outstanding journalism. She graduated with a master's degree in Creative Writing and Literature from Harvard University. She is an adjunct professor who currently lives and writes in Kansas. Find her at lauriedove.com.