Good historical fiction is hard to find and this is pretty nearly flawless. The research is invisibly woven into a what-might-have been story about a horrific forgotten race crime in Hells Canyon, and the tie-ins with modern issues, like US-Chinese relations and racism in general could not be more relevant. Characters persuasive, action thrilling, setting a powerful ingredient. This would be an excellent TV miniseries, like The Hatfields and McCoys. Really, really good. Love the ghost story at its core. An unusually well written novel. (Reminded me of Stegner, in fact.) It was easy to identify with all the characters, whether Chinese, Nez Perce or Anglo. The authors have a definite gift for conveying feeling in an intense yet economical way, just as the quest after justice is nicely scary but also satisfies emotionally. Bad guys are extremely bad, but the real killers were probably very like they way they are portrayed here. I know this part of the country pretty well, and the Snake River massacre could happen again tomorrow. Bigotry lives out there, no question, and I'm not sure a Joe Vincent is available to save the day.
What do You think about Deep Creek (2010)?
Loved the story itself, but hated the writing.
—Deb
