Winter's Child (A Wind River Mystery)

I've read most of Margaret Coel's Wind River Wind River Mysteries, and this one is the usual great read. Ms. Coel is a master of ambience; I felt the cold and challenging winter weather on the high plains and mountain country. As usual, her characters are complex and believable. She is a historian, so she includes some actual history as experienced by an experienced and a novice historian. The plot was fine tool

The Wind River Reservation books have been a favorite since I read the first. The information about the Arapahoe and Shoshone Indian is first-rate. Usually, my emotions are involved and this was no difference. as I had tears for all the in individuals engaged in the affair. Vicky is brought into the case by another lawyer. This lawyer was killed before he could inform Vicky about the case. Five years before the Liilesheilds found a white baby left on their doorstep. They want to adopt the child now. Father John niece is visiting the Mission. Her Ph.D. thesis is about sisters captured in a raid on a wagon train, one was recused she grew up with her family. The other married an Arapahoe and had 5 children. The sisters meet in there late in life. Father John 's niece meets an Arapahoe Indian who was considering the Priesthood. The twists that this story takes will keep you turning the pages. The ending will leave thinking. This is must read for me.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Berkley Publishing Group through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

Margaret Coel’s latest Wind River mystery continues to personify the Arapaho people living on the Wind River Reservation, with reality honed from research and expertise in Arapaho history.

Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden and Father John O’Malley, pastor of the St. Francis Mission on the reservation, are the two recurring characters in this series. Coel next introduces Father John’s niece, Shannon, a 24-year-old graduate student who is visiting and completing research for her thesis. Shannon’s friendly manner endears her to the native people she meets, especially James Two Horses, the young man who helps the priest with mass preparation several times a week. Although he is being tutored by the senior priest there, he remains open to affairs of the heart.

Vicky’s law practice handles miscellaneous tribal matters, from misdemeanors and criminal prosecutions to property litigation and non-criminal proceedings. A fellow attorney asks her to consult with him on a case, an adoption involving an Arapaho couple and a white child, now six years old. When just an infant, she was left on their doorstep on a snowy winter night. They now want to adopt her, being the only parents she has known. Clint Hopkins, the Riverton attorney, has serious questions about the entire circumstances of the case, and meets with Vicky on another snowy night.

Vicky agrees to look over Clint’s written notes, knowing that the majority of his brief remains in his head. She already has been approached at the meeting by its guest speaker, a handsome attorney named Rick Masterson. Visiting with him, she watches Clint carry his briefcase toward his car, parked across a windy, snow-covered street. Screeching tires and the rumble of an accelerating engine crash the otherwise still night. The thundering vehicle crushes Clint against his car, speeds up and races off into the distance, never stopping. Vicky and Rick are the first to rush into the chaos, attempting to revive the dying man without success. She is convinced that the Sheriff’s ruling of a terrible accident is wrong. Murder is her verdict.

Meanwhile, Vicky’s client, an alcoholic Arapaho named Vince White Hawk, has missed a court hearing and gone on the run. Needing rehab more than incarceration, he refuses to turn himself in. With pleading from his mother, Vicky will try to obtain his surrender without a brutal standoff. Furthermore, she dives deeper into the question marks surrounding the adoption case, interviews the would-be parents and finds more loopholes. She shovels through evidence that Clint may have uncovered on a trip to Denver, just days before his death.

At the Mission, Father John reminisces on a past life with Shannon’s mother, who married his own brother when he waffled on their relationship. Shannon reminds him of that past, sharing his passion for history, the world’s ethnic peoples and the paths they trod. His parishioners help set up interviews for Shannon in her research into the life of a white girl captured long ago by two native tribes, ending up with the Arapaho. Lizzie, the white captive girl, had lived a fascinating life as Arapaho wife, mother and grandmother, never wanting to reestablish her white roots when given the chance. Her progeny are anxious to shares stories about her with Shannon and offer gracious welcomes.

Coel fills her pages with legends from the past, retold by younger Arapaho tribal members in glowing voice. As a native, Vicky understands her tribal clients’ needs. Together in friendship with Father John, she becomes unwittingly involved in their personal and spiritual lives. Wide-reaching tentacles of at least three separate problems converge to complicate more than that number of Arapaho families. A conclusion is finally reached, but the package may or may not be tied with a neat bow. Coel leaves room for speculation about the future of Father John’s ministry, his relationship with Vicky and changes that may come to Wind River Reservation.

WINTER’S CHILD entertains and educates. Shannon’s research, Vicky’s legal complexities, at least three murders and miscellaneous crimes combine for attention. Vicky and Father John merit outstanding places in future Wind River mystery sagas.

Reviewed by Judy Gigstad

Other reviewers have given an excellent summary of Ms. Coel's latest (and last) release in the series, so I won't reiterate their comments. I will say, however, that this was one of the best of Margaret Coel’s releases, though all of her books in this series are outstanding. I love the way she brings alive the Arapaho way of life through her vivid descriptions, the way she interweaves a tight, suspenseful plot with past history, and drawing parallels to enrich her story and enhance the mystery. The fact that Vicky and Father John care deeply for each other only adds to the charm of this exceptional series. The special angle of parallel lives in time added a wonderful dimension to my enjoyment.

I have read that this is the last release in the Wind River Mystery series. If so, it is a series I will surely miss.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to grant it a favorable review. My full review can be found at MyShelf.com.

Originally posted on Smitten by Books Review site and blog

Lander, Wyoming attorney Vicky Holden is asked by Clint Hopkins, an attorney specializing in adoptions, to consult on a complicated case involving a couple living on the Arapaho reservation and wanting to adopt a white child. Clint gives Vicky a file with cryptic notes, but before he can make good on the promised meeting with Vicky to explain the details of the case, he is struck by a car and killed. The authorities think it's an accident, but Vicky thinks it's deliberate and tied to the adoption case. Meanwhile, Jesuit priest Father John O'Malley is helping his niece Shannon make contacts on the Wind River Arapaho reservation to help with her college dissertation about two sisters captured by the Cheyenne's in the 19th century. This long ago event has surprising parallels to recent events and though they have recently put some distance in their friendship, Vicky and Father John end up working together again on the adoption as well as a robbery case.

Winter’s Child is part of the long-running Wind River mysteries. I've read only a few of them and have never had a problem following the backstories of the main characters. Those books I have read are always well researched and eloquently written, and Winter's Child is no exception. The author excels at combining history, tradition, and modern events. It is amazing how the author is able to connect the life of Lizzie Brokenhorn, who was abducted at age two and came to marry an Arapaho and also think of herself as an Arapaho, to a current case on the Wind River Reservation.

Vicky and Father John are also working on a case involving a missing alcoholic Arapaho wanted for robbery and again it's amazing how the author is able to tie this to the adoption case in an unexpected way. This book has a very bittersweet tone. Both of the cases are heartbreaking and Vicky and Father John's wonderful friendship is filled with anguish as well. The story the author tells is dramatic but without pat, happy endings, which makes it more realistic.

The character of Father John's niece, Shannon, slowly grows on me and her unexpected love story is among the lighter moments of the book. I can see Shannon turning up in a future book, which would be good since I enjoyed the scenes with her and her uncle. This also gives the reader the chance to learn about the Arapaho people and their traditions along with Shannon. The fate of the St. Francis mission where Father John is assigned is uncertain, so it will be interesting to see what happens next in this unique series.

~ Christine

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

The Wind River Reservation series is another of my favorite cozies that blends history and mystery, past and present, so it was with sadness that I learned ‘Winter’s Child’ would be the last in this series. The pages in this novel turned way too quickly for my happiness! ‘Winter’s Child’ captivated me from the very beginning through to the final page.

Clint Hopkins, the best adoption attorney in the area, asked Vicky was asked to work as co-counsel with him on a case. She met him at an attorney’s dinner where he would share his brief notes, then they would discuss them in the morning. Except that Clint didn’t see the next morning. Vicky and another attorney witnessed him being run down as he crossed the street after the meeting, and the vehicle didn’t stop. Vicky believed the truck was waiting for him and deliberately ran him down, while other witnesses felt that the driver of the truck simply didn’t see him through the heavy falling snow and may not have even know that he/ she had hit someone.

The case was regarding a husband and wife who, five years earlier, had lost their infant girl and the wife, Myra was grieving terribly. Only weeks later, early on a snowy morning an infant girl was left in a box on their doorstep; while they heard someone outside and went to find the child, they only saw a woman with long black hair running into a truck they couldn’t identify through the snow as it sped away. They never contacted the police on the rez and now, as the girl was five, they learned that they should legally adopt her. What made the case unusual is that Arapahoes usually wouldn’t be adopting a caucasian child.

Vicky had a very pressing case ongoing for a young man, an alcoholic. She tried to get a deal from the prosecutor that if he turned himself in, they would reduce his charges and his time served would be in the rehab they would take him to. His mother was happy, until he didn’t turn himself in. When Vicky finally located him, he had a gun, a wad of money, enough booze for a day or two…and he wouldn’t go. His mother refused to give up on him; Vicky quickly tried to learn what Clint had that could cause him to seek co-counsel. He left very little in the way of notes on this or any case – his valuable notes were in his head, and he took them to the grave.

Vicky contacted Father John O’Malley about the pending adoption to see what he knew of the family. Neither could foresee the terrible secrets that would come to light through the case.

Father John’s niece Shannon was writing her dissertation on a pair of sisters from the 1800’s who had been kidnapped by Cheyenne; one sister was able to get away from her captors, but her baby sister was traded with Arapahoe. The younger sister, Lizzie, always thought of herself as Arapahoe in spite of her obvious difference in appearance. She married, had children, and died on the rez in the early 20th century. Shannon hoped to find Lizzie’s real history, the stuff that the history books omit. It is in hearing about Lizzie and Shannon’s finding that Vicky begins to understand a bit about the mystery of the adoption.

The characters are as well-developed as necessary for each of their roles. I think that I could meet either Father John or Vicky and be able to converse with them based on how they have been described, their actions and conversations. I admire an author who presents any person in a position of authority or with a successful career who is an alcoholic; Father John was not long out of rehab when he was sent by the Jesuits to the mission. Also a delight is the elderly, retired Bishop, Harry, who also resides there. The poignancy is not lost of a man who had been so active during his decades in varying capacities with the Jesuits who is now trying to be useful. In contrast is Shannon, with her brilliance and youthful energy, someone who will be a delight to Father John and the Bishop, and is probably the most open- book person in the novel. The author’s care for each person she writes about is obvious when reading about each person.

The plot is amazing! I love the multiple mysteries; the twists and turns change the reader’s view of them. Just when I thought I knew what the answers were, and couldn’t understand why Vicky wasn’t seeing them, she surprised me with some answers I hadn’t thought of. Two of the scenes were so filled with suspense that I couldn’t stop reading even though I was afraid to see what would occur! It was with mixed emotions that I finished the novel; while the ending was overall satisfying, I could feel hope for several of the characters and sadness for a couple others. I highly recommend ‘Winter’s Child’ to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries served with a side of history and the savory seasoning of a rural setting on a Native American reservation. I also look forward to this wonderful author’s next writing endeavor!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*

This twentieth book in the Wind River Reservation series includes several parallel story lines, causing the reader to think deeply about the nature of family and identity. As the book opens, Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden is called in to help the lawyer working with a native couple attempting to formalize the adoption of a white girl they have raised from infancy. At the same time, Father John O'Malley's (Vicky's friend and informal partner) entertains a visit from his niece, Shannon, who is writing her dissertation about a white woman who lived her entire life as an Arapaho after being abducted while still a young child. The juxtaposition of the two stories of cultural displacement enriches the reader's understanding of the motives behind the mystery of how Mary Anne Little Shield, the five-year-old living on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, came to be living as an Arapaho.

Shannon, upon arrival at Father O'Malley's church, meets James, a young man who believes he has a calling to the priesthood. As she searches for clues about the life of Lizzie Brokenhorn in the 1800s, Shannon also struggles to come to grips with her abandonment by her partner. She leans heavily upon James, for whom his developing relationship with Shannon brings doubts about the path his life will take. Vicky and Father John skirt around the issue of their deep friendship at the same time, with both reflecting upon the life choices they have made.

At the same time that Vicky is deeply involved in the adoption case, she is also attempting to help a young alcoholic Arapaho avoid serious prison time for a robbery, although the young man seems to find it nearly impossible to escape his addiction. As one might expect, the tightly connected Arapaho community means that the two cases are not altogether separate.

The Wind River Reservation and the area around Riverton are vividly portrayed, and the history is well integrated into the plot. But what raises this book above the average mystery is the depth of characterization and introspection. The plot is compelling, but it is enhanced by the questions the book raises about the role of culture vs. the role of genetics in making us who we are. I've read elsewhere that this might be the last in the series, but I certainly hope that is not the case.

This review first appeared at reviewingtheevidence.com.

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

The Wind River Reservation series is another of my favorite cozies that blends history and mystery, past and present, so it was with sadness that I learned ‘Winter’s Child’ would be the last in this series. The pages in this novel turned way too quickly for my happiness! ‘Winter’s Child’ captivated me from the very beginning through to the final page.

Clint Hopkins, the best adoption attorney in the area, asked Vicky was asked to work as co-counsel with him on a case. She met him at an attorney’s dinner where he would share his brief notes, then they would discuss them in the morning. Except that Clint didn’t see the next morning. Vicky and another attorney witnessed him being run down as he crossed the street after the meeting, and the vehicle didn’t stop. Vicky believed the truck was waiting for him and deliberately ran him down, while other witnesses felt that the driver of the truck simply didn’t see him through the heavy falling snow and may not have even know that he/ she had hit someone.

The case was regarding a husband and wife who, five years earlier, had lost their infant girl and the wife, Myra was grieving terribly. Only weeks later, early on a snowy morning an infant girl was left in a box on their doorstep; while they heard someone outside and went to find the child, they only saw a woman with long black hair running into a truck they couldn’t identify through the snow as it sped away. They never contacted the police on the rez and now, as the girl was five, they learned that they should legally adopt her. What made the case unusual is that Arapahoes usually wouldn’t be adopting a caucasian child.

Vicky had a very pressing case ongoing for a young man, an alcoholic. She tried to get a deal from the prosecutor that if he turned himself in, they would reduce his charges and his time served would be in the rehab they would take him to. His mother was happy, until he didn’t turn himself in. When Vicky finally located him, he had a gun, a wad of money, enough booze for a day or two…and he wouldn’t go. His mother refused to give up on him; Vicky quickly tried to learn what Clint had that could cause him to seek co-counsel. He left very little in the way of notes on this or any case – his valuable notes were in his head, and he took them to the grave.

Vicky contacted Father John O’Malley about the pending adoption to see what he knew of the family. Neither could foresee the terrible secrets that would come to light through the case.

Father John’s niece Shannon was writing her dissertation on a pair of sisters from the 1800’s who had been kidnapped by Cheyenne; one sister was able to get away from her captors, but her baby sister was traded with Arapahoe. The younger sister, Lizzie, always thought of herself as Arapahoe in spite of her obvious difference in appearance. She married, had children, and died on the rez in the early 20th century. Shannon hoped to find Lizzie’s real history, the stuff that the history books omit. It is in hearing about Lizzie and Shannon’s finding that Vicky begins to understand a bit about the mystery of the adoption.

The characters are as well-developed as necessary for each of their roles. I think that I could meet either Father John or Vicky and be able to converse with them based on how they have been described, their actions and conversations. I admire an author who presents any person in a position of authority or with a successful career who is an alcoholic; Father John was not long out of rehab when he was sent by the Jesuits to the mission. Also a delight is the elderly, retired Bishop, Harry, who also resides there. The poignancy is not lost of a man who had been so active during his decades in varying capacities with the Jesuits who is now trying to be useful. In contrast is Shannon, with her brilliance and youthful energy, someone who will be a delight to Father John and the Bishop, and is probably the most open- book person in the novel. The author’s care for each person she writes about is obvious when reading about each person.

The plot is amazing! I love the multiple mysteries; the twists and turns change the reader’s view of them. Just when I thought I knew what the answers were, and couldn’t understand why Vicky wasn’t seeing them, she surprised me with some answers I hadn’t thought of. Two of the scenes were so filled with suspense that I couldn’t stop reading even though I was afraid to see what would occur! It was with mixed emotions that I finished the novel; while the ending was overall satisfying, I could feel hope for several of the characters and sadness for a couple others. I highly recommend ‘Winter’s Child’ to those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries served with a side of history and the savory seasoning of a rural setting on a Native American reservation. I also look forward to this wonderful author’s next writing endeavor!

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*

This twentieth book in the Wind River Reservation series includes several parallel story lines, causing the reader to think deeply about the nature of family and identity. As the book opens, Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden is called in to help the lawyer working with a native couple attempting to formalize the adoption of a white girl they have raised from infancy. At the same time, Father John O'Malley's (Vicky's friend and informal partner) entertains a visit from his niece, Shannon, who is writing her dissertation about a white woman who lived her entire life as an Arapaho after being abducted while still a young child. The juxtaposition of the two stories of cultural displacement enriches the reader's understanding of the motives behind the mystery of how Mary Anne Little Shield, the five-year-old living on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, came to be living as an Arapaho.

Shannon, upon arrival at Father O'Malley's church, meets James, a young man who believes he has a calling to the priesthood. As she searches for clues about the life of Lizzie Brokenhorn in the 1800s, Shannon also struggles to come to grips with her abandonment by her partner. She leans heavily upon James, for whom his developing relationship with Shannon brings doubts about the path his life will take. Vicky and Father John skirt around the issue of their deep friendship at the same time, with both reflecting upon the life choices they have made.

At the same time that Vicky is deeply involved in the adoption case, she is also attempting to help a young alcoholic Arapaho avoid serious prison time for a robbery, although the young man seems to find it nearly impossible to escape his addiction. As one might expect, the tightly connected Arapaho community means that the two cases are not altogether separate.

The Wind River Reservation and the area around Riverton are vividly portrayed, and the history is well integrated into the plot. But what raises this book above the average mystery is the depth of characterization and introspection. The plot is compelling, but it is enhanced by the questions the book raises about the role of culture vs. the role of genetics in making us who we are. I've read elsewhere that this might be the last in the series, but I certainly hope that is not the case.

This review first appeared at reviewingtheevidence.com.

I received this book for free from Berkley Prime Crime in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I loved how part of the story dealt with a real person in history. I hadn’t heard of Lizzie Brokenhorn before reading this book, but now I want to go look her up. I also liked how that story tied into the mystery of the abandoned child.

I was pretty sure who was to blame for the child appearing, early on in the book. But I had no idea how it had happened or why. I also had no idea who the killer was, but it made perfect sense once all was revealed. I really liked Father John, I think he was my favorite character in the story. I liked Vicky as well, but something about Father John clicked with me. I liked his niece Shannon too.

It was neat learning all the little tidbits of Arapaho history, and how they see people. A lot of the anecdotes and memories about Lizzie were made up for the book, but like the author states in the note at the end, just because the history books didn’t state it happened, doesn’t mean it didn’t.

The story is told from two view points, Father John and Vicky. I liked getting to know the area and people, and it was nice that each of the two characters focused on different things in the books. Even though they weren’t always following the same events and people, it really flowed well and fit together. It never felt like one storyline was being neglected for the other.

If you like history mixed with your mysteries, as well as Native American culture, you need to try this book.

(cross-posted to my blog

I must say that this book exceeded my expectations, operating on so many levels that it took much thought and realization to understand both the context of the historical story within as well as how it mirrored the present day mystery.

So many heartbreaking and surprising things became clear as the conspiracy unraveled on the pages, painting villains and heroes with unimaginable behavior. Who would do such a thing? And where does a child belong, in the loving home they’ve always known? Or restored to their true family, even if the family is strangers?

A little girl was found on a doorstep five years ago. Now her foster parents want to adopt her. Clint Hopkins, the attorney working for them, asks Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden to help. Before he can meet with her to discuss the case, Clint’s killed in a hit and run that Vicky witnesses. Why would a small town attorney be such a threat? As Vicky takes over the case as well as tries to determine the cause of Clint’s death, she’s drawn into a tragic triangle of desperation, crime, and opportunity.

A compelling read that left me with more questions than answers. The chilling environment only mirrored the cold truth within the mystery. Solved, yes. Resolved? Never.

Thanks!

Author Margaret Coel gives readers a good blend of how Native Americans and the Caucasian world relate to one another in her Wind River Mystery series. She takes readers deep into the lives of Native Americans and their way of life as she shows the white man’s world around them.
A portion of WINTER’S CHILD has a basis in real events making the story even more plausible. The reader is drawn into a number of storylines that intersect several times before coming together in an electrifying conclusion. Coel artfully moves between past and present to make a well-balanced tale.
The characters are realistic, likable and well-developed. The story moves at a quick pace holding your attention with twists and unexpected surprises. The Wind River Reservation and surrounding area are brought to life through Coel’s vivid descriptions and rich details.
Filled with suspense and intrigue, this story can be read on its own. Mystery buffs will enjoy the doubt Coel weaves into her story along with a good dose of loyalty, friendship and a touch of romance.
FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

The first 1/2 of the story seems disjointed with several sub-plots. At one point I was ready to quit; however, by the end all the sub-plots come together and the story makes sense, and is another wonderful story written by Coel. I didn't purchase this from the store as I borrowed my copy from the library

The book centers around several people living on a reservation in Wyoming. Every time I read a book written by Margaret Coal I feel as though I am driving down the lanes of the reservation. She has a special gift for allowing the reader to feel, smell and hear life from another's perspective. There is mystery, thriller, murder, love, and history all wrapped into one neat package.

I didn't enjoy the ending, but am hoping she revisits this issue in future books. If you enjoy reading about life on an Indian reservation with stories about real people and understanding their "ways," you can't go wrong with her books.

I have read all of Coels' books and have never been disappointed.

I love the way Margaret Coel mixes the past and the present in her Wind River series. In this case, a 100+-year-old mystery of a young white girl captured and raised by Arapahos is connected to Vicky's latest case. In Vicky's case a white baby girl was left on the doorstep of an Arapaho couple. The girl is 5 years old now, and the family is trying to adopt her. But Vicky is finding a whole series of secrets, lies, past crimes and new bodies along the way while she takes on this case. With the help of Father John O'Malley, they unravel the tangled past and determine what happened with little Mary Anne Little Shields. How did this infant wind up on the doorstep in the Wind River reservaton on a blizzardy cold night? Vicky and Father John are in top form in this latest addition to one of my favourite series.

Not as good as previous books by Coel. The relationship between Vicky and Father John is boring. In real life, they would have made something happen by now - or completely dissolved the relationship. Too painful to keep going on the way they are. I found it hard to care about Vince, but Vicky cared waaaaayyy too much. She's his attorney, not a social worker. The story of the adoption was just sad.

Hit and Run, murder, adoption problems, robbery, baby
Snatching and deceit all mixed into one exciting,
suspenseful plot.
The story is unique and fresh. It contains just the right
combination of action, mystery, thrills, chills with some
humor.
The past and present blend effortlessly in presenting
well-defined and well-developed cast of characters.
Full of twists and turns this book keeps you reading from
the first to the last page at one sitting.
Very interesting story with historical aspects throughout
the novel.
This is book #20 in A Wind River Mystery series. It can
be read as a stand alone.
Thank you to Penguin First To Read for this eBook. My
opinion is my own.

Vicky is an Arapaho attorney and she is asked by an adoption lawyer to look into the case of an Arapaho wanting to adopt an white baby left on their doorstep 5 years ago.The adoption lawyer is killed in front of her so she really wants to find out who did it. She asks Father O'Malley to help her. He is busy with his visiting niece who is writing a story on two white sisters who were taken by the native americans in the late 1800's. Vicky is also trying to get a man into rehab and keep him from jail. The author does a nice job of tying all the pieces together.

Blue eyes and fair hair among the Arapahoes; how it happened is the historical basis for this fine addition to this excellent series. Why was the lawyer who specisalized in adoptions run down, deliberately, before he and Vicky can confer? Father John's niece adds a present day harmonic to the mystery from the past as she examines life on the Wind River.

nicely done latest installment from a reliable writer with a great sense of not just plot but also characters. I really liked the dual stories of Lizzie and Mary Anne and how they blend (pay attention to that name!) I want Vicky on my side if I'm ever in trouble. You could easily and greatly enjoy this without reading any of the earlier books. Thumbs up!

Margaret Coel is a wonderful writer and I look forward to each new novel in the Wind River mystery series. She never takes the easy way with her characters and this I appreciate since if she did this would have been a two book series! I like the complexity of the relationship of Father John and Lawyer Vicky and the reality of the difficulties they encounter in their role as servants of the people. I am always amazed at how I anticipate the "next" and think through the "last" of her novels.

Her books make me impatient for the next episode of what is going on with my friends. Coel's book are just right for an easy but never boring read. Please start with Book #1so you will feel like family and not a stranger at the party.