researchers seek memoirs of Sakajawa

Mystery wrapped around Sacajawea historical fiction. Coel does an excellent job weaving the challenges and issues of the Native Americans. However, the theme primarily is about violence towards women...including Vicki Holden, one of the main characters. It's also about belonging somewhere, in this case on the Wind River Reservation, as Fr John is threatened with an assignment to Milwaukee. You know that he doesn't go there because there are eight more books in this series that can't be done from Milwaukee :-) ( )

Father John's time on the reservation draws to a close as the provincial orders him to complete his doctorate back East so he can teach.The new priest arrives on a motorcycle and shows interest in Arapaho oral stories. Vicky is back with her abusive former spouse, but she's already beginning to see it will not work. Father John finds a body. Vicky's friend, a white woman historian, comes to the reservation to locate an alleged manuscript containing valuable information on Sacajawea. An Arapaho graduate student is also interested in the work. Vicky's friend disappears after her ex-boyfriend shows up and threatens her. Father John discovers the memoir which led Vicky's friend to the reservation in the mission's archives and gets it into the FBI agent's hands. Father John receives a call about the discovery of the woman's body and calls Vicky. Gradually the two of them realize what is going on. Good installment in the series with a lot of interesting historical elements. ( )

Spousal abuse from Sacajawea to the present is exposed in this story of beginnings and endings. The historic background of this intrepid woman provides the rationale and framework for this Wind River mystery ( )

Great historical fiction of the famous Sacajawea. Good mystery. ( )