The Mutes

Sheriff Lansing Mystery #5

by Micah S. Hackler

Author of Legend of the Dead, Coyote Returns, The Shadow Catcher, and The Dark Canyon

A Speaking Volumes Original Publication

Strange lights spotted over the high desert of northern New Mexico, unmarked helicopters flying to and from Archuleta Mesa on the Apache Reservation, the death of a ranch foreman, and, after nearly a decade, livestock being killed and mutilated, again. Deputy Cliff Lansing is running for his first term as Sheriff. In the midst of his campaign the one-time rancher has to deal with divorce, the loss of a friend, and the gaggle of UFO enthusiasts who have descended on San Phillipe County.

Lansing joins forces with Ned Koteen, the newly appointed Apache Reservation Police Chief, to investigate government cover-ups, conspiracies, and murder. While Koteen struggles with tribal secrets, Lansing has to fight his own family’s demons.

Genres: Mystery

258 pages, Paperback

Published March 25, 2019

Reviews

[Dave Weller · Rating 4 out of 5]

UFO's, mutilated cattle and large animals, UFO chasers, an alleged government cover up, and the nearby Jicarilla Reservation merge in this southwestern thriller. A close friend of Sheriff Lansing died in a suspicious automobile accident and that event is followed by the death of one of the UFO chasers, Lindsay Watt. This episode from the Sheriff Lansing series pre-dates the first four books, so it is interesting to learn about Lansing's early career. The plot contained a number of threads, and some never really get resolved, but the whole UFO and alien mutilation theme served as a nice backdrop and very appropriate for the New Mexico area of the country. There is a lot to unpack in this novel, but Hackler does a reasonable job, although I felt like there was a lack of closure on some things. I will look forward to book 6.

[J.J. Rusz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of the six Sheriff Lansing mysteries I’ve read, “The Mutes” (Book 5) is my least favorite. The tale develops slowly, its characters (Cliff Lansing aside) are lackluster, and the resolution flat. Once revealed, the motive for murder seems implausible too. “The Mutes” does provide some backstory for the Lansing mysteries, but there might not be a series if the earlier books were like this one. Fortunately, they’re not. And Book 6 “The Owl and the Raven” is much stronger.

[Tracey S Choat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 5

I've enjoyed this series. Southwest culture and Just enough mystical or unexplained phenomena to make it interesting but not bizarre.

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to have the series and these characters back in a new story.

[Dianne P. Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just plain GOOD!!

Not quite as good as the previous four, mainly because Cement Head didn't appear, just whined one time. But still a good read.

[John Little]

Hackler tells a good story. I enjoy the way he incorporates the Native American beliefs into his modern world mysteries.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is great. It combines mystery with Indian ways and mystics. Sheriff Lansing is a great character. And I love the reader. I have been listening all of the books so far.

[Deborah Mansfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoying this Series

I am enjoying this book series. Love the description of the small towns and the western scenery and the relationships between the different cultures.