Between Two Fires: The Creek Murders and the Birth of the Oil Capital of the World

JD Colbert, the author, has crafted a taut, historical fiction based on true characters who lived in the early turn of the century, and woven them into the fabric of Tulsa, Oklahoma. The narrative entwines citizens of the Muscogee/Creek Nation with greed, avarice, deception, and even murder. Wealthy oilmen, local politicians and their cronies use the benefit of the Guardianship of the Federal government, the Dawes Commission, and submission to try and accomplish their mission. The use of the language of the Muscogee/Creek adds a different dimension and is imperative in telling the story and provides a genuine and authentic element.The book provides background into the Muscogee/Creek Nation with regard to ceremony and other culture aspects. Reminiscent of a Native American crime/thriller version of Chinatown.If you want a real page turner to keep you engrossed then I certainly highly recommend this book!

If you like the book, Killers of the Flower Moon, you will absolutely love this book. Killers of the Flower Moon was recently turned into a major motion picture set to drop in 2023. It is a documentary of the Osage Murders and the genesis of the FBI in Fairfax, OK. JD's book Between Two Fires shares in the history of Native Americans who were moved to Oklahoma and then murdered for their oil-rich lands.The author JD Colbert is an amazing native history storyteller and he certainly doesn't disappoint with his first book. His amazing ability to use words to paint a story so vivid you can it in your mind is truly next level. In this book, JD combines his incredible knowledge of the history of the Muscogee Creek Nation and blends it into an exciting historical fiction piece. You won't want to put the book down as the story unfolds between the two main characters, their romance, and their conflict. I loved Killers of the Flower Moon, but this book is a whole level better!

Between Two Fires is a creative take on the crimes against American Indians in Indian Territory during the allotment era. The exploits of Sam Davis and Zitkala are a compilation of real people and actual events that took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Native American storyteller and historian, J.D. Colbert does an excellent job of blending the Muscogee culture and language into his book which provides a warm sense of Mvskoke kinship, even in times of conflict. We see the atrocities Sam Davis caused his Creek people unfold in front of him, as a result of his ambition to succeed in the colonized (white mans) world. If you are not familiar with the murders, assaults, land and mineral theft of the Mvskoke people during the early 1900’s, Between Two Fires is a great introduction. Might I mention, within all the conflict…there is a love story😊Indeed a pleasure to read!(Bonus-Sam Davis recites many poems by the great Muscogee Creek poet, Alexander Posey.)

This historical novel tells about the Creek Land allotments and how many were basically stolen. Very interesting since I live so close to where it all happened.

What a pleasant surprise to stumble onto the book “Between Two Fires” by J.D. Colbert. As a life long Tulsan, I was impressed by J.D.’s references to Tulsa landmarks and the early day history of our city. J.D. identified historical sites and events I was not aware of. Between Two Fires is a mix of interesting and sometimes ruthless characters after oil was discovered on the Creek Indian reservation after it was divided into individual allotments. I throughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for anyone interested in our states history and Native American history.Phil GTulsa, Ok

I loved it! This book by J.D. Colbert is a gripping and thought-provoking work of historical fiction that connects history with a smart and compelling narrative. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American life. It is a smart, well-written book that offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by Native Americans in Oklahoma. As a Chickasaw citizen from Oklahoma, it hooked me from the beginning and I couldn't put the book down. Now they need to make a movie about this!

I really liked learning about a turning point in the history of the oil drilling business. The details about the murders are, to say the least, very disturbing.

This novel has everything I love in a good action thriller, plus something different that makes it my favorite book of 2022. It has compelling characters and vivid settings, and a rousing plot that keeps you engaged until the very end. But what sets it apart from your average thriller is the historical truth of its story. Its vivid historical detail gives the story a depth and a lasting significance that lingers in your mind long after you read it. While It’s a story about a man lost between the boundaries of two cultures, it makes you wonder if its title “Between Two Fires” could hold a larger meaning for us all today.