Book Review: The Spirit Woman

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

[5 stars]

The Spirit Woman Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Margaret Coel
Class/Genre: Mystery Ethnic Religious Non-Fiction
Series: Wind River Reservation Mysteries # 6
Berkley, Sep 2000, $21.95, 272 pp.

Ancient enemies, the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes peacefully live and work together on the Wind River Reservation in the Southwest. The tribes trust Jesuit priest Father John O’Malley. Vicky Holden of the Arapaho grew up on the reservation but left her people and her abusive spouse to become a Denver lawyer. Now she is back trying to make things work with her former husband and to regain acceptance by her people.

Vicky’s friend Laura has come to the reservation seeking to finish the definitive biography on Sacjawca, a Shoshone who was a guide on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Charlotte Austin started the memoirs, but vanished while hiking in the mountains decades ago. Her mother wants Laura to finish the work as a memorial to her daughter. Laura turns to Touissaint to attain the memoirs, but she disappears before she can gain Laura’s work. Vicky and John wonder if this mysterious Touissaint did something to Laura and begin an investigation to learn the truth.

Fans of Hillerman and the Thurlos will find this Native American mystery compelling, exciting, and informative. THE SPIRIT WOMAN is a well-drawn tale that uses the legends of the Shoshone as a backdrop to the main story line. John and Vicky are unique charcaters struggling to keep from giving in to their feelings for each other. Margaret Cole changes the direction of the series so that there is an added freshness that doesn’t lose the essence of the Wind River mysteries. Margaret Coel provides rich detail about reservation life, assimilation into the Anglo world, and preservation of the Indian heritage inside an exhilarating plot.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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