Kindred Spirits [Paperback]

Marilyn Meredith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 22, 2008

Tempe Crabtree is the resident deputy of Bear Creek, a small mountain community in the southern Sierra. Her continuing interest in the spiritual side of her heritage often causes unrest in her marriage to her minister husband. Kindred Spirits is about a troubled marriage, a "perfect" murder, a murder victim whose spirit won't rest until the murderer's identity is revealed, the genocide of the Tolowa nation, and two dangerous trips for Deputy Tempe Crabtree as she searches for answers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 212 pages
• Publisher: Mundania Press LLC (August 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1594267359
• ISBN-13: 978-1594267352
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,365,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mystery abounds, October 22, 2008

By 

T. Gleichner "http://reviewfromhere.com" (Fox Cities, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kindred Spirits (Paperback)

Kindred Spirits is part of the Tempe Crabtree Series. Tempe is a female deputy for Bear Creek, and not only does she face discrimination because she is a female, but also because she is part Native American. The story begins with a huge forest fire. Tempe is doing her job and making sure that the people are being evacuated from their homes. By the time she reaches the home of Vanessa Ainsworth it is too dangerous and the fire department stops her. If only she had made it there sooner, the tragedy that unfolds may not have happened.

Tempe heads back to town to check on her husband, Hutch Hutchinson, who is the minister of the local church. He is operating a temporary shelter for the people who have lost their homes, and Tempe is searching for Vanessa. She is called back to Vanessa's house, which has been consumed by the fire. They find a body and the body of a dog. They are both identified - it is Vanessa, and while it seems as though she has died in the fire, the medical examiner confirms that she and her dog were both shot before the fire reached the house.

The rest of the story focuses on Tempe, and her search for the truth...what really happened to Vanessa, and who was responsible for her death? Was it her ex-boyfriend, he did have a restraining order against him? Or was it her ex-husband? He does have an airtight alibi, but maybe something was missed. Or was it Lanny Hargrove, a boy turned man who stalked Vanessa for years and maybe hasn't given up. There are twists and turns right up until the end.

Tempe is a loveable character, and this book can easily be read on it's own even though it is part of a series. I have a friend who is an Oneida Indian and am always fascinated by their beliefs, and the history of their people. This was one of the things I found very enjoyable about this book. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a good mystery that is easy to read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Solid mystery in the Tempe Crabtree series, October 17, 2008

By 

BermudaOnion (South Carolina) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Kindred Spirits (Paperback)

Tempe Crabtree is a deputy sheriff in Bear Creek, a small town at the base of the Sierra Mountains, and she's married to Hutch Hutchinson, the local preacher. After a forest fire ravaged through their small community, Vanessa Ainsworth, a local artist, and her dog are discovered dead. The coroner informs Tempe that they were shot before the fire. Since no one in Bear Creek knows much about Vanessa, the investigation goes nowhere. Tempe is visited by Vanessa's spirit, who warns her of danger. Being the only woman in the Sheriff's Department and Native American, too, Tempe is sent to Crescent City to investigate Vanessa's past. She contacts Vanessa's cousin and close friend and they tell her all about Vanessa and teach her some Indian lore, too. While she's in Crescent City, Tempe is followed, leading her to believe she's on the right track. The trail leads Tempe and Hutch to Santa Barbara and an exciting climax to the mystery.

Kindred Spirits is the eighth book in Marilyn Meredith's Tempe Crabtree mystery series. It is not necessary to read any of the other books in the series to enjoy this one. It is a solid, entertaining, and somewhat predictable mystery with some Native American facts woven into the story. I'm sorry to admit that I don't know much about Native American history; this book made me want to rectify that.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an exciting police procedural, February 6, 2010

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kindred Spirits (Paperback)

The wildfire is spreading rapidly down the Sierras threatening communities like Bear Creek. Resident Deputy Tempe Crabtree tries to insure everyone has been evacuated from the nearby foothills to the shelter run by her spouse Pastor Hutch Hutchison. However, firefighters prevent her from continuing near the home of half Tolowa Native American artist Vanessa Ainsworth.

Soon afterward, Tempe learns that a woman and dog died in the inferno near Vanessa's home. However, bullets killed both of them. Detectives Richards and Morrison lead the investigation that is going nowhere as Vanessa's former husband has an air tight alibi so the victim's ex boyfriend remains the top suspect. The cops scornfully send Tempe to Vanessa's hometown of Crescent City where her cousin lives because they assume an Indian to Indian chat will get them information as Tempe is part Yanduchi. Though on a personal level the trip proves fruitful; on an investigative level it goes nowhere though she picks up two stalkers along the way. However, ever since CALLING THE DEAD awakened her skills, Vanessa's spirit visits her. Tempe accompanied by Hutch continues to help the lead detectives, but her second trip is not well received as this the killer stalks her.

This is an exciting police procedural enhanced by a profound look at the historical atrocities towards Native Americans and the current bias of the lead detectives whose overt attitude makes it lucid that they need consideration of others training. The story line is fast-paced as Tempe works the case encouraged by the spirit of Vanessa, learns more about her heritage, and struggles with her relationship with Hutch.

Harriet Klausner