The Eagle Catcher (A Wind River Reservation Myste) [Mass Market Paperback]

Margaret Coel (Author)

Book Description

Series: A Wind River Reservation Myste | Publication Date: August 3, 2004

A sacred Ethete ceremony of the Arapahos is disrupted when tribal chairman Harvey Castle is found murdered, and when the victim's nephew is accused, missionary pastor John O'Malley attempts to prove his innocence.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Murder is only one element in this debut mystery, which also takes on interracial romance, the exploitation of Indian lands and the political ambitions of a former county commissioner who's also a gubernatorial candidate. Father John O'Malley has been banished from Boston to the dirt-poor mission at Wyoming's Wind River Reservation to recover from his alcoholism. When the tribal chairman is killed, an obnoxious FBI agent arrests the chairman's nephew. In an effort to help, Father John joins forces with Vicky Holden, a feisty, 40-something Arapaho attorney for whom he stoically suffers an unpriestly attraction. Into this modestly suspenseful tale, Coel (Chief Lefthand) weaves often insightful commentary about Arapaho culture, bigotry and the widespread alcoholism among Western tribes. Likable, well-drawn characters and a lively pace mark this novel?which appears poised for a sequel?for Hillerman fans.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Coel explores the dual nature of the modern Native American experience, progress vs. tradition, in this murder mystery narrated proficiently by Stephanie Brush. Arapahoe tribal chair Harvey Castle is found murdered just before an important powwow. Father John O'Malley, a recovering alcoholic exiled to the Wyoming reservation, teams up with tribal attorney Vicky Holden. In their search for the murderer and the truth, they uncover the unsavory side of tribal oil and land deals. Rich characters and a twisting, turning plot make this performance a lively story and well worth purchasing. Recommended for most collections.ADenise A. Garofalo, Mid-Hudson Lib. System, Poughkeepsie, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (August 3, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425154637
• ISBN-13: 978-0425154632
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Margaret Coel is the author of four nonfiction books and many articles on the people and places of the American West. Her work has won national and regional awards. Her first John O'Malley mystery, The Eagle Catcher, was a national bestseller, garnering excellent reviews from the Denver Post, Tony Hillerman, Jean Hager, Loren D. Estleman, Stephen White, Earlene Fowler, Ann Ripley and other top writers in the field. A native of Colorado, she resides in Boulder.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Unusual Mystery..., May 10, 2000

By 

Mark Valentine (Port Angeles, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Eagle Catcher (A Wind River Reservation Myste) (Mass Market Paperback)

An unlikely couple of sleuths team up in this mystery to uncover murder and theft. Father John O'Malley, a Jesuit priest at the Wind River Indian Reservation, gets "his nose into other people's business" and so begins a caper that already has three sequels. His alter-ego help comes from Vicky, the Arapaho Lawyer, surnamed Woman Alone. Their disparent skills become all that is needed in finding out the murderer and the one responsible for the great land theft against the Arapaho Nation.

But what makes this unusual novel so likeable is its rich respect for two faiths and cultures: the Native-Americans and the Jesuit priests. Coel provides a synthesis of faith in the midst of an entertaining mystery and that is talent. And it makes the reading of the tale a multi-level experience of pleasure.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pacing, atmoshere and characters, March 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Eagle Catcher (A Wind River Reservation Myste) (Mass Market Paperback)

The novel captures the dual nature of modern Native American life: tradition vs progress. What makes the story wonderful is the realistic characterizations, the descriptions of Wyoming countryside and the crisp pacing. Add to all this a story with as many twists and turns as a dark country road, and "The Eagle Catcher" becomes one of the best stories to be published in the last few years.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good start to series of mystery stories..., September 4, 2003

By 

Michael Valdivielso (Alexandria, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Eagle Catcher (A Wind River Reservation Myste) (Mass Market Paperback)

My mom gave me six Margaret Coel novels, all about Father John O'Malley and Vicky Holden. Let me say, that at the time of this review I have already started the second book and it is even better than this one.
First off, the characters are realistic, painfully so. Real problems and real life issues insert themselves through-out the story. Yes, there is a murder on the reservation but Father John O'Malley has to worry about everything from a new assistant to his fight against the bottle.
The detailed pages within these books allow me to feel the wind off the plain, smell the food at the powwow and see the colors of the sky. A mixture of Rex Stout and Zane Grey!