Murder at Medicine Lodge [Hardcover]

Mardi Oakley Medawar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1999

In 1867, the Kiowa traveled to Medicine Lodge, Kansas, along with the Comanche, Arapaho, Apache, and Cheyenne to meet with representatives of the U.S. government and to sign peace treaties. But not all of the Kiowa agree that the peace treaty is a good thing, and tensions between them and the U.S. Army ("The Blue Jackets") are running high. So, when the army bugler disappears and White Bear, chief of the Rattle Band, finds his bugle out on the plains, the army command assumes that White Bear has killed the man to steal it. To make matters worse, the bugler's body is later found--murdered--out on the plains.

With the army set to try White Bear for murder, and the Kiowa set to declare war if he is not found innocent, Tay-bodal--a healer amongst the Kiowa--is charged by the Principal Chief to investigate and clear White Bear's name. With very little time before the army tribunal is to be held, Tay-bodal must find out the truth about the bugler--a man he doesn't know--and what might have actually happened out there on the plains.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

While attending a peace conference with federal government officials at Medicine Lodge, Okla., the Kiowa representative, White Bear, is accused of murdering a U.S. Army bugler. Though 19th-century Kiowa healer Tay-bodal and his tribesmen quickly prove White Bear's innocence, the "Blue Jackets" need a scapegoat, and they choose a likable young black soldier known as Little Jonas. Enraged at the injustice, Chief Lone Wolf orders Tay-bodal to find evidence clearing Little JonasAor else the Kiowa will boycott the peace conference. Tay-bodal's persistent questioning uncovers blackmail and a connection between the bugler's murder and the recently ended Civil War. Medawar (Witch of the Palo Duro, etc.) works hard to describe the events and Indian-soldier tensions through the eyes of a gentle brave, but the strained narration and the surfeit of charactersAsome too thinly sketchedAmake this story slow going.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Narrator Tay-bodal, the self-effacing Kiowa healer with a laughable reputation as a warrior (Witch of the Palo Duro, LJ 11/1/97), journeys with his tribe to Medicine Lodge, KS, in 1867 for the signing of a peace treaty. Once there, however, the murder of a soldier, apparently by Tay-bodal's chief, jeopardizes the treaty. Tay-bodal once again uses his observational and healing skills to unmask the real murderer. Awareness of nature (including human), attention to Indian lore and custom, and Tay-bodal's ruthless and sometimes humorous honesty place this near the top of the "essential" list.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 262 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (March 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312199252
• ISBN-13: 978-0312199258
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,411,327 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sound the Bugle, This is One Murderously Satisfying Read!, February 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder at Medicine Lodge (Hardcover)

I've never been much for historical murder mysteries, so it is with great surprise that Ms. Medawar's Murder at Medicine Lodge stirred my soul, as well as my intellect, in ways I'm at a loss to explain. The characterizations were exquisitely detailed, vividly drawing out the multifaceted comparisons and contrasts between the main characters and their constituent groups. The notion of the 19th century native american society, a concept very difficult to effectively explain to the Eurocentric view that most of us are prisoner to, is masterfully conveyed without infringing on the integrity of the plot. With respect to plots, the intricacy of the multiple plotlines worked on many different levels, and Ms. Medawar ingeniously weaves them together for a satisfying finale which will keep you guessing until the last page. All the author requires is your full attention and some basic level of intellectual acumen, otherwise the figurative forest becomes too dense! A challenge most of us can rise to. Personally, I could not put this book down; it ranks with the popcorn page-turners of Clancy but is with the sense of satisfaction of disecting a Huxley. Ms. Marple and Mr. Poirot move over, there is a new master sleuth in town and his name is Tay-bodal, and if you are not too careful, you just might learn a thing or two in the process.

3.0 out of 5 stars Tay-Bodal makes his third appearance, February 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder at Medicine Lodge (Hardcover)

In 1867, several Indian tribes, including the Kiowa, travel to Medicine Lodge, Missouri to sign peace treaties with the U.S. government. However, there are many dissidents among the various Indian tribes, who believe that a treaty with the Blue Jackets is a mistake. Tension between the two factions is very high and it would take very little to destroy the fragile peace.

While riding the Plains, White Bear, a Kiowa warrior, finds a military bugle that he decides to return to the soldiers. White Bear expected several gifts for returning the bugle, but instead the Americna miltary arrest him for murdering Buuglah. While the tribe calls for war on the perfidious soldiers, the Kiowa Principal Chief turns to healer Tay-Bodal to investigate what happened before blood flows on the Plains.

MURDER AT MEDICINE LODGE, The third appearance of Tay-Bodal, Indian-sleuth, does not live up to the superior first two novels in this series. The who-done-it is

cleverly designed, but too many minor sub-plots actually subtract from the prime story line. This along with the myriad of secondary and tertiary characters overwhelm the appearances of Tay, who remains a fresh protagonist. Though the historical elements are intriguing, readers should try DEATH AT RAINY MOUNTAIN and WITCH OF THE PALO DURO for a great read that showcases Mardi Oakley Medawar's talent.

Harriet Klausner