What do you think?
Rate this book
Zack Tolliver, FBI #1
The Other
A fast paced dialogue driven pulse elevating entertaining but not too weighty mystery novel with a wee touch of the supernatural, the sort of book that drives you to bed early just to read it. The Other evokes just that sort of rapid pace and dramatic imagery. Consider FBI Agent Zack Tolliver, the sun-washed ochre cliffs of Arizona, the body of a little blonde girl found on a remote mesa top apparently killed by a bear, the Navajo guide side-kick, the tracks that change mid-stride from animal to human, the evidence that appears to lead to a local recluse crazed by the tragic death of his wife and child. Then the wild ride from case closed to case wide open again, racing off to the deserts of California, another little blonde girl preyed upon and abandoned, and who’s doing all this, anyway? What sinister force is toying with our FBI agent?
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2012
161 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
R. Lawson Gamble
16 books27 followersR Lawson Gamble lives and writes on California's Central Coast, tasting wines and ales, running trails and telling tales.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
February 13, 2014
Rate my own book? Yes, because my measure is how clearly I managed to extract from my brain the story and characters and scenery that grew there; that is my rating. And it is all there; I can read and reread this book with pleasure because I wrote the story I have always wanted to read somewhere, somehow.
October 12, 2013
Mr. Gamble wrote a good mystery in the vein of Tony Hillerman..Fans of Hillerman's SKINWALKERS won't be disappointed with this book. FBI agent Zack Tolliver and his Navaho police partner, Eagle feather are on the trail of a serial killer who may or may not be a shape shifter. Proper respect is given to the Navaho traditions. The story goes from Arizona down to the Palm Springs area. Those of us who live in these areas will recognize where the bodies are buried, which adds to the creepiness. There is a second book coming, so this is the beginning of another series of murders set with Native Americans.
The characters are well written and the action moves along at a steady pace with a good plot twist here and there to keep your interest.
The characters are well written and the action moves along at a steady pace with a good plot twist here and there to keep your interest.
March 10, 2019
Warning: This mystery has many supernatural elements
If you’re a police procedural fan who can believe that most world religions are filled with supernatural elements, beings, and concepts—goddesses, gods, animism, sacred objects, reincarnation, angels, ancestral spirits, demons, cherubs, etc—I recommend this book without reservations. Native American religions and mythology figure heavily in “The Other,” and the lead characters are Zack Tolliver, an FBI agent, who is beginning to believe the Navajo legends told by his friend, Eagle Feather. I enjoyed reading this police procedural, but I docked a star because of the numerous errors in punctuation, grammar and formatting.
If you’re a police procedural fan who can believe that most world religions are filled with supernatural elements, beings, and concepts—goddesses, gods, animism, sacred objects, reincarnation, angels, ancestral spirits, demons, cherubs, etc—I recommend this book without reservations. Native American religions and mythology figure heavily in “The Other,” and the lead characters are Zack Tolliver, an FBI agent, who is beginning to believe the Navajo legends told by his friend, Eagle Feather. I enjoyed reading this police procedural, but I docked a star because of the numerous errors in punctuation, grammar and formatting.
March 28, 2019
The first half was very good, intriguing story and characters.
SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!
The second part of the book couldn't decided whether it was mystery, horror, suspense or just a story. Murky lines and way too wordy. So many explanations, so many thoughts. I liked the first part of the story but by the end I was skipping pages just to finish it.
SPOILER ALERT!!! SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!
The second part of the book couldn't decided whether it was mystery, horror, suspense or just a story. Murky lines and way too wordy. So many explanations, so many thoughts. I liked the first part of the story but by the end I was skipping pages just to finish it.
September 1, 2013
I thought this book was very good. It gave a little inside information about the Indian reservations and their beliefs. Keep an open mind when reading this book.
April 21, 2024
FBI Agent Zack Tolliver, the sun-washed ochre cliffs of Arizona, the body of a little blonde girl found on a remote mesa top apparently killed by a bear, the Navajo guide side-kick, the tracks that change mid-stride from animal to human, the evidence that appears to lead to a local recluse crazed by the tragic death of his wife and child. Then the wild ride from case closed to case wide open again, racing off to the deserts of California, another little blonde girl preyed upon and abandoned, and who’s doing all this, anyway? What sinister force is toying with our FBI agent?
Interesting story with blend of Native believes and modern criminal investigation. Two men one grounded in here and now and the other a Navajo walking between two worlds trying to teach his friend.
I look forward to more in this series.
Interesting story with blend of Native believes and modern criminal investigation. Two men one grounded in here and now and the other a Navajo walking between two worlds trying to teach his friend.
I look forward to more in this series.
May 19, 2021
What an incredible story and this is just the first book. I was mesmerized and couldn’t put the book down. I already love the characters in this series and can’t wait to read the next book. I am so impressed with this author; really great imagination and attention to detail. The unfolding of the storyline with the intention of allowing the reader inside the sacred knowledge. You don’t have to believe to enjoy the journey.
October 30, 2022
This book was really good! I like Hillerman books, so I wanted to give this book a try. I’m glad I did. The Navajo culture was written well. Eagle Feather was a great character. Zack Tolliver, a white FBI agent, who is assigned as liaison to the Navajo nation, becomes involved with a murder. As the details begin to unfold, Zack begins to understand some of the Navajo beliefs regarding skinwalkers. The unbelievable is soon becoming the believable for Zack. I’m definitely reading this series!!
January 1, 2024
What a fabulous police procedural mixed with a supernatural twist. I love the FBI agent and Native American friend trying to pin down what was happening and who or what was responsible. I was on the edge of my seat wondering if it would all be explained or would truly be a supernatural cause. Excellent story and great characters. I will gladly tag along with Zack and Eagle Feather on their next adventure.
February 4, 2019
I enjoyed the 1st story in the series and much as I have the others. This introduction to Zack was quite well done and the story kept my interest all of the way through. The way that the theme was laid out kept you guessing to the very end.
Once you have read this story you will look forward to reading the conuation of the series.
Well done.
Once you have read this story you will look forward to reading the conuation of the series.
Well done.
May 26, 2022
I enjoy mysteries that are set in the Southwest. I also enjoy mysteries that involve the Navaho culture. This book did both to varying extents. Zack Tolliver the main charter I found appealing as was the supportive character. A great many twists and turns and plenty of forensics for my science side. Great summer read. I will read the next book in the series.
September 15, 2018
Intriguing story line
I absolutely loved where this story took place. And I also love reading about native American folklore. Hope you take the time to immerse yourself in this well written book.
I absolutely loved where this story took place. And I also love reading about native American folklore. Hope you take the time to immerse yourself in this well written book.
October 9, 2019
A page turner
I like anything to do with Native American mysteries, but I particularly enjoyed this one because there was almost none of the usual anger and infighting with the agents. Just good work.
I like anything to do with Native American mysteries, but I particularly enjoyed this one because there was almost none of the usual anger and infighting with the agents. Just good work.
November 26, 2020
A very interesting book.......
This is a very mystic book. A lot of Navajo beliefs and mysticism is the core base of the story. You will learn a lot in the reading of it. Highly recommended.
This is a very mystic book. A lot of Navajo beliefs and mysticism is the core base of the story. You will learn a lot in the reading of it. Highly recommended.
May 20, 2021
Skinwalker
I really enjoyed the characters in this story. I read Cat first and
then this book, so, out of order. This author is great, kept me tied to these books. The only thing that kept jumping out at me was misspelled reins. Not reigns.
I really enjoyed the characters in this story. I read Cat first and
then this book, so, out of order. This author is great, kept me tied to these books. The only thing that kept jumping out at me was misspelled reins. Not reigns.
November 19, 2022
I really enjoyed not only the story, but the interplay of all of the characters, particularly between Zack and his friend, Eagle Feather. Learning more about the Navaho culture was a plus and I definitely plan to read more of this series.
January 15, 2023
Wow ! many twists
I chose this book because of the setting - Indian territory and characters. My expectations are met. Great story. I enjoyed feeling as if I was there. I’m planning to read book 2.
I chose this book because of the setting - Indian territory and characters. My expectations are met. Great story. I enjoyed feeling as if I was there. I’m planning to read book 2.
May 2, 2023
Buy the series!
This is a fantastic book/ captivating plot, fascinating well developed characters that have you pulling for them from the start. The touch of spiritualism with the suspense is a winner. Thank God it is a series!! Buy he series!
This is a fantastic book/ captivating plot, fascinating well developed characters that have you pulling for them from the start. The touch of spiritualism with the suspense is a winner. Thank God it is a series!! Buy he series!
September 2, 2023
Riveting story!!!
What a great story! The descriptions are so rich, so real that I feel like I'm really there in the heat in the desert. Just pulls you into that world. All the characters are well drawn.
What a great story! The descriptions are so rich, so real that I feel like I'm really there in the heat in the desert. Just pulls you into that world. All the characters are well drawn.
June 14, 2017
Excellent
Awesome suspense read keeping me on the edge of my seat and enjoying it at the same time. Recommend to anyone who wants a great read.
Tammymcinally@pyahoo.com
Awesome suspense read keeping me on the edge of my seat and enjoying it at the same time. Recommend to anyone who wants a great read.
Tammymcinally@pyahoo.com
March 4, 2018
Good story line
I enjoyed the pace of the writing. For the most part the story was interesting. But the proof reading was terrible.
I enjoyed the pace of the writing. For the most part the story was interesting. But the proof reading was terrible.
November 10, 2018
Page turner
At times I had figured the next turn but could not put down. I recommend this author. Read on I enjoyed it.
At times I had figured the next turn but could not put down. I recommend this author. Read on I enjoyed it.
November 29, 2018
Interesting read especially because of the native aspect. How Zach will survive without the Navajo support if it comes to it I don’t know, maybe he will learn the language ........
May 24, 2020
This was interesting and readable but slowly until near the end. FBI agent follows a killer, possible shape changer, who buries little girls.
July 10, 2020
Everything may not be what it seems. Be aware of different cultures & legends.
August 5, 2020
A captivating read.
Start to finish almost unable to put it down. Looking forward to reading more of Gamble's work. Give it a try.
Start to finish almost unable to put it down. Looking forward to reading more of Gamble's work. Give it a try.
August 29, 2020
Enjoyed the native cultures aspect of the book.
August 25, 2021
When shadows call
A very good read .I love Indian mysteries and this one was exceptional.plenty of action to hold your interest all the way to the end.
A very good read .I love Indian mysteries and this one was exceptional.plenty of action to hold your interest all the way to the end.
September 6, 2021
Another Good One
A most enjoyable read . Lots of insight into Native American culture in all of Gamble's writings. Keep it up.
Eagle Feather is terrific.
A most enjoyable read . Lots of insight into Native American culture in all of Gamble's writings. Keep it up.
Eagle Feather is terrific.
September 26, 2023
Great read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Editing errors let it down a bit. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews