Customer Reviews

Blood Memory (A Catherine McLeod Mystery)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Even the smallest inaccuracies in a novel really bother me. I find myself concentrating on the irritating error and losing the book's thread. Another thing that bothers me are silly women characters. Most women are not fools.

The first few pages provided by amazon's look inside feature were a big turn off. Anyone who owns a dog knows that a stranger doesn't sneak up on you and your dog--especially in the dark. And if, to quote the author, "a half man, half monster" chased you into your house, would you call 911 right away? Of course. Not this gal. She runs to the kitchen and pours herself a couple fingers of Wild Turkey and skulks around for a while before calling a lawyer.

In fictional novels, sometimes you just have to think, it's best to just get this woman out of the potential gene pool quickly.

I have tried reading this book 3 times and have made it to page 89 before putting it down totally bored and disgusted. I have been a big fan of Coel's Father John and Vicky Holden series and am disappointed in this new novel. However after reading the other reviews I will try again. Maybe it will improve. The premise for the novel - that someone wants to kill this reporter because of a news story in the past - is good but I think the author just has not yet decided how to develop this character at this point in the novel. Up till now the heroine has spent all her time lamenting that her hard won "new life" is being taken from her. Instead of trying to solve the mystery, she whines a lot, ignores the threat, does stupid things, and in the process continually endangers herself and others. Apparently the reporter has some hidden American Indian ancestry which may develop as the story unfolds and there is a hint that the mystery may include some story on the Rez. So the basics for a good story are there. I just wish Coel would get it together a little earlier in the novel or go back to Father John and Vicky.

I like Margaret Coel's books, but not this one. Oh Dear,I've concluded, she's going in another direction, the wrong one, and dragging her faithful reader with her! When I find myself speed reading to get through obvious descritpions of beautiful sunsets, etc, and plodding through the protagonist's fears moment by moment, sensing that I've been through this before in previous pages, well, I know that this is going to be one headache-producing read. Mary Higgins Clark knows suspense; it's not here! Sorry Margaret.

Denver Journal investigative reporter Catherine McLeod assumes the sniper's failed assassination attempt of her in her home is tied to one of her stories, past or present. She eliminated a random drive by, and a visit by Arapaho elder Norman Whitehorse affirms her theory. He informs her she is Arapaho; having been adopted his revelation about her roots is awesome and frightening.

Her former husband demands Catherine flee the big city for the relative safety of his mountain ranch, but she refuses. Instead the intrepid journalist continues her investigation into what she believes is the story that has made her a target; Catherine reports the efforts of her "people" and that of the Cheyenne to regain over twenty million acres of land deeded by treaties but stolen during the 1864 Indian massacre at Sand Creek. However, Catherine is stunned by the violence of her unknown murderous stalker on the innocent and that her inquiry leads to DC.

With Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden taking a breather though she makes an appearance in BLOOD MEMORY, Margaret Coel introduces her fans to a new heroine Catherine. She is terrific as she begins to learn about her heritage while also working an investigation into the land debate. The story line is action-packed with a fresh outlook and an incredible plausible but unexpected climax. Hopefully Ms. Coel's two brave women find a common cause in a future tale (sort of like Philip R. Craig and William G. Tapply did with Brady Coyne and J. W. Jackson); if not readers will still have two strong Arapaho heroines to count on for excellent thrillers.

Harriet Klausner

I have all of Margaret Coel's books and love all of them. This book was not my style at all. I didn't like the heroine at all, she was drab and dreary and even though she was a woman who was capable of taking care of herself (something I usually like), this woman was boring beyond belief.

The story line was okay, something that was predictable and not interesting. Too many books are written with this type of theme and I expected more from Margaret Coel.

I like Margaret Coel and can only hope she will return to what her fans like. However, there are some that may like this and I commend them.

I couldn't even take the time to finish the book it was so drab and boring.

I am a long-time fan of the Windy River Reservation mystery series, and I was a bit disappointed when I got this book to see that it's about a different heroine. But Coel can write, and she sprinkles such fascinating native and Arapaho history in her books, so I decided to read it. I enjoyed the book, but it didn't grip me like Father John. Catherine McLeod, I think, will grow into an interesting heroine, but I missed the heart-stopping suspense of Coel's well-known series. I missed the practicalness of Father John. Catherine is not that, not by a long shot. She's very impulsive, and does things without much thought. That is a bit off-putting when she is supposedly running for her life as she is in this book. Not sure yet whether I will read more of her or not, but I can assure you that I will devour the next Father John mystery that comes out.

This novel read like a bad term paper. Coel switches between totally unbelievable police work to historical facts.

There is nothing that can justify this mismash of styles but it is fun to try to determine what she means by sentences such as her description of a family butler: " . . . He had been with the Stern family when Elizabeth had married into the family. He was probably older than she was, almost like a member of the family, Catherine thought, or one of the polished newels that she gripped as she made her way up the staircase curving into the floor above."

Not even if you are trapped on an airplane with nothing to read but the in-flight magazine should you open this book.

This book was a gift. I'd never read Margaret Coel. Well, the author is writing for a specific type of female and it's not me. The main character, Catherine, is definitely not what anyone would call a "role model".
She's actually quite annoying with her bordering-on-pathetic and rather stupid thinking and actions. She comes across as a person who just hasn't learned how to think yet. Absolutely, the type of female I don't wish to emulate or we'd want our daughter(s) to emulate! . I would never purchase a Margaret Coel book.

Catherine McLeod works for The Journal in Denver. She is covering a story about the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes filing to reclaim their 27 million acres of land. Someone doesn't want her to know the details of this deal because she becomes the target of an assassin. She has narrowly escaped his attacks as she continues to uncover many secrets about a conspiracy that leads way back into the past and the founding of Denver itself. She also learns about her own heritage.

My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this book very much not only for the current mystery but the immense amount of Native American history contained in this story. At times it was a little hard to follow, but after reading this book I did a little research into the treaty and it can be very hard to understand on its own. Coel's ability to wrap a entire story around it is masterful. The author is a historian and said to be an expert in the Arapaho Indians and it shines through clearly in her work. I am sure that is why her other series is so successful as well.

I have read all of Margaret Coel's Wind River Reservation Series and enjoyed them all. This seemed like it wasn't ever written by her. I'd recommend looking into that series over this book.