I needed this book - I have been reading several other different series, and a chance to get back to Father John and Vicky Holden as they solve today's murder while resolving an 80 year old disappearance and possible murder was a pleasure. Father John has returned to the Wind River Reservation after 6 months in Rome; Vicky is still practicing law, although now it is primarily tribal issues, and she misses dealing with people in need. That is when Vicky gets a phone call from a young man asking for help after telling her that he killed Kiki Wallowingbull in self defense, and can't return to prison for that. At the same time, Father John has been asked by Kiki's grandparents to find out what happened to him after his trip to California where he was seeking answers to his great-grandfather's disappearance. In the end, of course, both Father John and Vicky come together to solve both cases. This book makes me wish Margaret Coel would write more than one book a year. The premise is a 100 yr old murder from the days of the silent movies when Arapahoes and Shoshones played themselves in the first westerns. The author draws on some real history of that time and uses one of her writing techniques of flashback chapters. The mystery unravels slowly when the great grandson of the murdered man seeks justice and is murdered himself. In places the book felt repetitive, and the viewpoint changes from person to person a lot or I would have given it 4 stars.Also the tension of the unfulfilled relationship between the main characters is getting old.
What do You think about The Silent Spirit (2009)?
I love how the author incorporates the culture and history with the present story. Great book!
—flo7084
