Search This Blog
April Reviews Link-Up
May Reviews Link-Up
June Reviews Link-Up
July Reviews Link-Up
August Reviews Link-Up
September Reviews Link-Up
October Reviews Link-Up
November Reviews Link-Up
December Reviews Link-Up
2024 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama (1)
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California (3)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (2)
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York (2)
- North Carolina (2)
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah
- Vermont (1)
- Virginia (1)
- Washington (1)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.*
International:
- Australia (1)
- Canada (1)
- England (7)
- France (1)
- Ireland (1)
- Italy (1)
- Scotland (2)
- The Netherlands (1)
2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge
Friday, July 12, 2019
A Lot to Love in Engaging, Atmospheric Native American Mystery Series Debut
9:22 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Fire-Sky tribal member Sandra Deering had everything going for her, including a college degree she was about to receive. Why would she have committed suicide just when she stood on the cusp of getting everything she'd worked so hard for? It doesn't make any sense, especially since Sandra's is the latest in a string of suspicious deaths linked to the Fire-Sky people. Like Sandra, the victims appear to have been murdered by a killer familiar enough with the tribe's beliefs to make sure his/her victims cannot receive proper burials, dooming their spirits to wander the earth forever.
Monique "Nicky" Matthews, a sergeant and special agent working with the Fire-Sky Pueblo Police, is called in to investigate. Along with her partner, a suave newcomer she's not sure she can trust, Nicky begins looking into the odd deaths. Guided by good police work as well as the strange visions that have always been a part of her life, she uncovers some very sinister goings-on on the rez.
Determined to catch a murderer and bring closure and peace to the victims' families, Nicky will stop at nothing to solve the case. With the people she loves being threatened and her own neck on the line, she'll have to risk everything to bring the cold-blooded killer to justice. Can Nicky catch the culprit in time to save lives or will her spirit be the next to join the tortured souls already on eternal walkabout?
In the tradition of Tony Hillerman, Carol Potenza has penned an exciting, well-written mystery steeped in Native American tradition and culture. Although the Fire-Sky people are fictional, their beliefs are based on those of known tribes, giving Hearts of the Missing an authentic feel. The characters in this satisfying debut are well-drawn and complex, the setting is vivid and atmospheric, the plot is taut and twisty, and the prose is skilled and readable. In short, there's a lot to love here. I thoroughly enjoyed this series debut and can't wait to see what the next installment brings.
(Readalikes: I've read very little Hillerman, but Hearts of the Missing definitely reminds me of his novels, as well as the Wind River Reservation mystery series by Margaret Coel.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (two F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, references to illegal drug use, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
4 comments:
Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.
P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)
Reading
Listening
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
-
-
-
First Lines Fridays: April 19, 20242 hours ago
-
Daily Prompt 18 April Thursday4 hours ago
-
-
-
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt12 hours ago
-
Orwell, George "The Road to Wigan Pier"20 hours ago
-
-
-
The Cowgirl Nanny21 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
A Death in Venice by Verity Bright1 day ago
-
42. Before Nightfall2 days ago
-
-
Top Ten Tuesday ~ Come Sail Away2 days ago
-
-
-
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell3 days ago
-
Novel Love Story4 days ago
-
-
Beneath Unknown Skies4 days ago
-
Invisible Woman by Katia Lief1 week ago
-
Reading Recap March 20241 week ago
-
Waiting on Wednesday - Think Twice2 weeks ago
-
-
-
March Monthly Wrap-up2 weeks ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?6 months ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra9 months ago
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ▼ 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
- ► 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)
Sounds like a good series. Gotta love that southwest vibe. :)
ReplyDeleteThis fits in with what I've been reading lately. Thanks for sharing about it and I'll check it out!
ReplyDeleteI love William Kent Krueger series highlighting a northern Native American population, and also the Hillerman books written by his daughter. This one is going onto my wishlist for sure! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about different cultures and with a mystery as well, this sounds like it is right up my alley. Wonderful review Susan, thanks for sharing this one, I had never heard of it before.
ReplyDelete