Wild Sorrow [Hardcover]

Sandi Ault (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 2009

"With a flair for the outdoors,"(Rocky Mountain News) the Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author returns with BLM agent Jamaica Wild.

Tracking a wounded mountain lion, Jamaica comes across an old Indian School, where children were "Americanized" after being taken from their homes. As a snowstorm sweeps the canyon, Jamaica must take refuge in the abandoned school.

Exploring, Jamaica discovers the desecrated body of an elderly Anglo woman, frozen on the floor. This discovery, combined with the troubled history of the abandoned school, haunts Jamaica throughout the night with the howling wind.

When the FBI takes over the murder investigation she continues searching for the wounded she-lion and her cubs. As the dead of winter settles, arctic temperatures threaten the survival of the mountain lions-and Jamaica herself, as she is stalked by an unidentified killer...

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Fans of the late Tony Hillerman will embrace Ault's outstanding third mystery to feature Jamaica Wild, a resource agent for the Bureau of Land Management in Taos, N.M. (after 2008's Wild Inferno). When Jamaica seeks shelter during a blizzard in Pueblo Peña at the abandoned San Pedro de Arbués Indian School for her injured horse, Rooster, and her wolf companion, Mountain, she stumbles on a terrifying sight—the frozen corpse of Cassie Morgan, a strangled Anglo woman from whose neck hangs a sign in red crayon that reads I am not an Indian. Though Jamaica is horrified to learn that Cassie was a former school matron remembered for depriving, humiliating, and beating the Indian children, she continues to help the FBI investigation into what is deemed a hate crime. Outraged by Jamaica's interference, the twisted killer targets both Jamaica and Mountain. Ault's wildlife expertise and knowledge of Tanoah culture enhance a poignant plot. (Mar.)
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Review

Fans of the late Tony Hillerman will embrace Ault's outstanding third mystery to feature Jamaica Wild, a resource agent for the Bureau of Land Management in Taos, N.M. (after 2008's Wild Inferno). When Jamaica seeks shelter during a blizzard in Pueblo Peña at the abandoned San Pedro de Arbués Indian School for her injured horse, Rooster, and her wolf companion, Mountain, she stumbles on a terrifying sight-the frozen corpse of Cassie Morgan, a strangled Anglo woman from whose neck hangs a sign in red crayon that reads "I am not an Indian." Though Jamaica is horrified to learn that Cassie was a former school matron "remembered for depriving, humiliating, and beating the Indian children," she continues to help the FBI investigation into what is deemed a hate crime. Outraged by Jamaica's interference, the twisted killer targets both Jamaica and Mountain. Ault's wildlife expertise and knowledge of Tanoah culture enhance a poignant plot.
-Publisher's Weekly (starred review)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Hardcover (March 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425225836
• ISBN-13: 978-0425225837
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #496,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sandi Ault is the critically-acclaimed, award-winning author of The WILD Mystery Series. Her first in the series, WILD INDIGO, won the Mary Higgins Clark Award, the first time a debut novel has ever been nominated for that award. Her second, WILD INFERNO was named a Colorado Book Award finalist and won a WILLA Finalist Award from Women Writing the West. Both WILD INDIGO and WILD INFERNO received two starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. And WILD INFERNO was the only book of any kind to appear on both of these publications' Best Books of 2008 Lists. WILD SORROW, the third in the series, was featured in NEW MEXICO Magazine and COWBOYS & INDIANS Magazine and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly along with raves from the critics. The fourth in the WILD Mystery Series is WILD PENANCE. It releases in early 2010.
Sandi Ault lives and writes in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado along with loving companions: a husband, a wolf, and a Missouri wildcat. Visit Sandi Ault on the web at www.SandiAult.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WILD AT HEART, March 31, 2009

By 

G. R. Miller "Writer" (Estes Park, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wild Sorrow (Hardcover)

Any writer who deals with either a novel or short story series (or both) knows that their primary characters speak to them--live with them, day and night! After reading WILD SORROW, the third in Sandi Ault's WILD series, it's clear she suffers (marvelously) with this affliction. Aptly named, her protagonist, BLM Agent Jamaica Wild, expresses both a laid back beauty inspired by that Caribbean isle, plus a tempestuous side equal to the untamed wilderness she patrols.
In WILD SORROW, Sandi crafts a heartfelt tale as she and Jamaica escort readers from the fast-paced action of their last adventure, Wild Inferno, back to the Tanoah Pueblo, with its unique cast of characters and culture the two gals have obviously come to love. It's Christmas, and the Pueblo is alive with festivities, both public and private; a time for body and soul cleansing celebration. But for Jamaica Wild--as the book title implies--it's also a time of sorrows; three that track throughout the novel: Jamaica's efforts to rescue a wounded mountain lion and her kittens faced with certain death if the BLM agent can't save them; Jamaica's haunting discovery and enigmatic journey into a bi-cultural past that humbles and humiliates both Indians and whites; and Jamaica's struggle with her beloved pet, and constant companion, Mountain, now an adult wolf, too often expressing his naturally wild tendencies. Entwine these conflicts within a murder mystery that pits Jamaica's tenacity to know the truth against a vengeful assailant who desperately wants to include her on the victim list and you've got one heck of a good read, a page-turner whodunit packed with put-you-in-the-scene description of the high-dry New Mexican landscape and the people who call it home. Ah-h-h, it's good to be back. Wonder what the gals have in store for their next adventure? Whatever it is, you know it'll be WILD!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another hit for Ault, September 12, 2009

By 

B. J. England "vettech" (SouthCentral Ky) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wild Sorrow (Hardcover)

This is the 3rd book in the "Wild" series. Written with a real knowledge of the Pueblos, and their customs, gives a real insight for their cultures. One book a year is just not enough. Keep up the great writing Sandi!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A riveting thriller recommended for any mystery library, August 20, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wild Sorrow (Hardcover)

WILD SORROW deserves ongoing mention as an impressive third addition to her 'Wild' mystery series. Jamaica and her wolf track a wounded mountain lion into a canyon and come across an old Indian school which houses the body of an elderly white woman. Her discovery leads to a murder investigation that will lead to Jamaica being stalked by the killer herself in this riveting thriller recommended for any mystery library, especially those with prior popular picks in the series.