About

R.M. Lowery is the author of the Jakob Larsen Mysteries: "The Gentle Slope," "We Kill Our Own," and "Time Fades Away." His short fiction has appeared in Black Cat Mystery Magazine, Workers Write: Tales from the Key of C, and others. Learn more at rmlowery.com.

Lowery is also an award-winning independent journalist whose work has been published by the Associated Press, Los Angeles Times, Source New Mexico, Albuquerque Journal, Santa Fe New Mexican, and many others.

He was awarded the 2020 William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, and the 2021 Sunshine Award from the New Mexico Press Association for his reporting that highlighted lack of transparency from multiple government agencies.

Featured Work

The Gentle Slope

2024
Cover of The Gentle Slope

Someone murdered sixteen-year-old Grace Sutherland and dumped her body along the riverbank.

The news shocks most in the Midwest town of Stonebridge, but for reporter Jakob Larsen, her death dredges up particularly bad memories. Two years ago, his father was murdered, and police have yet to make an arrest.

Knowing the pain the girl’s family feels, Jakob is determined to find answers for them. Answers his family still doesn’t have. But as Jakob hunts for the truth, he uncovers details that could rip the Sutherland family apart.

Other Works

Awards and Recognition

  • 2024 Top of the Rockies award for short-form features writing from the Colorado SPJ.
  • 2024 Best Ongoing/Continuing Coverage from the New Mexico Press Association.
  • 2024 Best News Writing from the New Mexico Press Association.
  • 2023 Best News Writing from the New Mexico Press Association.
  • 2023 Best Education Writing from the New Mexico Press Association.
  • 2022 Best Investigative/Enterprise Reporting from the Colorado SPJ.
  • 2022 Best News Writing from the New Mexico Press Association.
  • 2021 Best Continuing News Coverage from the New Mexico Press Association.
  • 2021 Sunshine Award from the New Mexico Press Association. The award recognizes the best example of covering issues of transparency in New Mexico.
  • 2021 Best Solutions Journalism award from the Colorado SPJ for a four-part series on addiction.
  • 2020 William S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government. The Dixon award is presented annually to citizens and organizations in New Mexico who champion transparency and defend the people’s right to know the affairs of government.
  • 2020 Best News Series from the New Mexico Press Association for a series of stories on drug and alcohol addiction in New Mexico, exploring the roots of addiction, what’s being done about it, and how other communities are addressing addiction.

Press and Media Mentions