Author Visit: D.M. Rowell, The Mud Sawpole Mysteries

Join us for an unforgettable evening with D.M. Rowell, acclaimed author of the Mud Sawpole Mysteries, including the titles Never Name the Dead and Silent Are the Dead. A Silicon Valley professional turned mystery novelist, Rowell brings her unique perspective as a member of the Kiowa Tribe and a lifelong storyteller rooted in Plains Indian oral tradition.

In this captivating author talk, Rowell will share her journey from tech executive to mystery writer, and how her heritage and upbringing on the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache reservation in Oklahoma deeply influence her writing. She’ll explore themes of identity, culture, and place as reflected in her novels, which follow a protagonist returning to her childhood home to solve chilling mysteries steeped in tribal history.

Through family photos, original Kiowa artwork, and Kiowa Winter Count calendars, Rowell brings the spirit and rhythm of her storytelling tradition to life. 

📖 Never Name the Dead was a finalist for the 2023 Mary Higgins Clark Award, and her follow-up novel continues to earn praise for its elegant weaving of tribal detail with fast-paced suspense.

This program is part of the Santa Clara County Library District’s Native American Heritage Month.

For accessibility accommodations (ex. ASL), please fill out the online form at sccld.org/accessibility 7+days prior to the event. If you need assistance with the form, speak with a staff member at your local library, call (408) 540-3945, or email us at ask@lib.sccgov.org.