Book Review – Mask of the Deer Woman

My heart is still pounding after finishing MASK OF THE DEER WOMAN by Laurie L. Dove. As someone who devours mysteries and thrillers like they’re chocolate (and trust me, I know my chocolate!), I knew I needed to get my hands on this book as soon as I read the synopsis. Indigenous representation in thrillers? A complex female detective? Supernatural elements? Sign me up!

The story follows Carrie Starr, an ex-Chicago detective who takes a position as tribal marshal on an Oklahoma reservation after the devastating loss of her daughter. Right away, she’s thrust into investigating the disappearance of Chenoa Cloud, a college student researching endangered insects on reservation land. But this isn’t just one isolated case – other Indigenous women have vanished without a trace, their cases gathering dust while law enforcement looks the other way.

The atmosphere in this book is absolutely incredible. Every scene feels charged with tension, like the air before a storm. I found myself pulling my blanket tighter around my shoulders while reading late into the night, jumping at every little sound in my apartment. Dove’s writing style reminds me a bit of Jane Harper’s – that same ability to make the setting feel like another character, threatening and alive. The harsh Oklahoma winter, with its biting winds and driving rain, mirrors the cold reality these missing women face.

What really sets this book apart is how it handles the devastating crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women. This isn’t just a thriller using a serious issue as window dressing – it’s a powerful spotlight on a reality that desperately needs more attention. The way Dove weaves in details about reservation life, from the poverty to the exploitation of resources, feels authentic and necessary to the story rather than preachy.

I particularly loved the supernatural elements involving the Deer Woman from Indigenous folklore. Having grown up devouring books about mythology and folklore (I used to check out every single mythology book from my school library, much to the librarian’s amusement), I was fascinated by how Dove incorporated these elements. The appearances of the Deer Woman add an extra layer of eeriness to the story while raising questions about whether she’s there to help or harm.

Carrie Starr is exactly the kind of complex female protagonist I love reading about. She’s deeply flawed, struggling with grief and guilt over her daughter’s death, often finding solace at the bottom of a whiskey bottle. But she’s also fierce and determined, refusing to let another girl disappear without a fight. Her journey to reconnect with her Indigenous heritage while solving these cases adds another compelling layer to her character.

The pacing is absolutely perfect – I literally could not put this book down. I ended up staying awake until 3 AM to finish it (sorry, morning meetings!), because I HAD to know how it would end. Dove masterfully plants red herrings throughout the story, making everyone look suspicious. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist would make me question everything.

I will say that some scenes were difficult to read. The book doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities faced by Indigenous communities, and there are moments that will make your heart ache. But these elements never feel exploitative – they’re handled with sensitivity and serve the larger purpose of the story.

The secondary characters are well-developed and add depth to the narrative. I particularly appreciated how Dove portrayed the reservation community – not as stereotypes, but as complex individuals with their own hopes, fears, and motivations. The corruption among town leaders feels believable rather than cartoonish, which makes it all the more chilling.

This book reminded me why I love thrillers that tackle important social issues. Like Celeste Ng’s “Everything I Never Told You” or Attica Locke’s “Bluebird, Bluebird,” MASK OF THE DEER WOMAN uses the mystery genre to shine a light on systemic injustices while still delivering a gripping story that keeps you guessing until the end.

I’m already looking forward to more from Laurie L. Dove. If this is her debut novel, I can’t wait to see what she writes next. MASK OF THE DEER WOMAN is perfect for readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers with a social conscience, fans of Nevada Barr’s Anna Pigeon series, or anyone looking for a mystery that will keep them up way past their bedtime (you’ve been warned!).

This isn’t just a great thriller – it’s an important book that deserves to be widely read. The next time someone asks me for a book recommendation, this will definitely be at the top of my list. Just make sure you clear your schedule before starting it – you won’t want to put it down!