Evil Dead Center: A Mystery [Paperback]

Carole laFavor (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Fans of lesbian mysteries who have been looking for diverse characters will be happy to see Evil Dead Center, the second in a series featuring Ojibwa sleuth Renee LaRoche. When the white coroner near Red Earth reservation dismisses the death of a Native American woman as death by alcohol and exposure, Renee and her former lover, American Indian Movement activist Cal Beltrain, investigate. While navigating the detritus of their relationship, "Runner" and Cal discover a case that involves the abuse of Ojibwa kids placed in white foster homes. In addition to being a mystery, Evil Dead Center shows the different lives that Renee leads on and off the reservation, and how she negotiates her life as a two-spirit Native American queer person in a largely white, straight world.

Review

Renee LaRouche, an Ojibwa Indian, puts her talent for tracking foul play to use off the rez. -- Publisher's Weekly - Starred Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 221 pages
• Publisher: Firebrand Books (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563410885
• ISBN-13: 978-1563410888
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,985,173 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars AN UGLY TRUTH, August 20, 2000

By 

Bonita L. Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evil Dead Center: A Mystery (Paperback)

An Ojibwa woman's body is found dead on the outskirts of the reservation. Ruled as a suicided by the coroner, Renee LaRoche is told otherwise. A surprise call from an ex-lover, Cal,reveals the possibility of a murder. Never one to sit still, Renee jumps at the attempt to unravel this murder mystery which becomes more complex as layer after layer is peeled revealing an ugly truth on the reservation.

You are immediately swept into the drama of Renee's past life and the issue of interracial adoptions/foster care, the connectednessand sacredness of nature for the Ojibwa people, and the ugliness of child pornography. In this second novel we learn how Sam, Renee's partner, comes to grips with her own insecurities regarding Renee's love and ex-lover. Renee does her own self evaluation as she reminises about her days in the movement and why her relationship with Cal fizzled. Finally we are confronted with the sordid personality of a "respected" pedophile who has unleashed his venom on Native American children and whose racism is allowed to flourish. Join with Renee as she attempts to uncover a pornography ring which threatens to tear away the fabric of Ojibwa society and culture. This adventure will arise anger in you and make you sick at a system that destroys children. Yet there is hope. This is an outstanding novel of Carole LaFavor which deserves our attention.