Witch of the Palo Duro (Tay-Bodal Mystery) [Hardcover]

Mardi Oakley Medawar (Author)

Book Description

Series: Tay-Bodal Mystery | Publication Date: November 1997

In 1867, just when the Rattle Band returns to the Kiowa's traditional winter camp, a powerful healer disappears. Then, two horses are killed, and the herdsmen blame it on a mysterious witch. When a chief's wife dies unexpectedly, the entire camp is thrown into a frenzy of fear. Tay-bodal, sure that no witch was to blame, must uncover the truth before fear destroys the Kiowa Band.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Tay-bodel, an aging Kiowa "practical" doctor last seen in Death at Rainy Mountain (St. Martin's, 1996), offers another of his adventures as a young man in the 1860s. During the tribe's winter retreat to the Palo Dura Canyon in northern Texas, rumors of witchcraft and the Dark Way cause dissension among various Kiowa bands: two horses are killed and a woman is murdered. Known for his healing abilities and observational skills, Tay-bodel is asked to prove the absence of witchcraft. Native American traditions, culture, and intelligence lend the whole a meaty authenticity, tempered by Tay-bodel's pragmatism and overweening compassion. A fine work; strongly recommended.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Tay-bodal isn't much to look at; nobody trusts him with weapons; and he's not even a good tracker. At the rate he's going, though, the Kiowa healer will soon be able to hang out his shingle as a detective. Married now to his sweetheart Crying Wind, he's roused from his mental hibernation in the winter encampment of 1867 by the disappearance of his best friend Skywalker, the slaying of two of his wife's relative The Cheyenne Robber's best horses, and the premature death of He Goes Into Battle First's scheming second wife. It's the work of a witch, insists competing healer Red Bird, an adversary of Tay-bodal's ever since Skywalker vetoed his bid to become an Owl Doctor--and the witch is none other than Crying Wind. But Tay-bodal finds that if you scratch an apparition, you're likely to find underneath a distinctly modern explanation: ``A lot of young people have been slipping around in this camp.'' The writing, which takes a refreshingly matter-of-fact approach to Kiowa mysticism, is a big step forward from Tay- bodal's debut (Death at Rainy Mountain, 1996)--though his creator's continued fondness for numberless subplots (is there anybody in camp who's not slipping around, and on so many unrelated errands?) rather blunts the unmasking of the cleverly hidden killer. -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1st edition (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312170653
• ISBN-13: 978-0312170653
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,724,555 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sheer brilliance, November 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Witch of the Palo Duro (Tay-Bodal Mystery) (Hardcover)

Late in 1866, the Kiowas are starting to prepare their winter camp at Palo Duro Canyon, Texas when trouble besets the tribe. A renowned healer and seer, Skywalker, mysteriously disappears. Several horses are killed and just about everyone claims to have seen a shape-changing witch. However, all hell occurs when the wife of one of the chiefs suddenly, for no apparent reason, dies. Everyone believes the witch killed her. So when Tay-bodal's spouse, Crying Wind, accidentally gives too much medicine to an ailing infant, Red Bird convinces his tribesmen that she is the evil witch.

Tay begins to investigate what is causing the mishaps that are happening to his fellow tribesmen in order to not only save the life of his spouse but to save the tribe from falling apart. Instead of relying on special powers, Tay uses scientific investigative techniques to learn the truth behind the problems that have led to the tribe being on the brink of mass hysteria. However, by his inquiries, Tay has placed himself in danger with the conflicting political sides of the tribe and a dangerous individual who desires the truth to remain hidden. Still, the mischief maker does not understand that Tay loves his wife and nothing will stop him from insuring that the charge of witchcraft is proven false.

WITCH OF THE PALO DURO, the second novel in the historical fiction Tay-bodal series, is a well written book that complements the original novel, DEATH AT RAINY MOUNTAIN. Tay is a unique character, who approaches his investigations using deductive and inductive reasoning while being surrounded by superstitious individuals who seek mystical solutions to problems. The story line is interesting and the secondary characters add to the genuine feeling of a post Civil War nineteenth century tribe. However, this series is all about contrasting Tay with his peers and Mardi Oakley Medawar succeeds in her endeavor.

Harriet Klausner

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good read - and culturally leavel-handed, August 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Witch of the Palo Duro (Paperback)

In short, I am impressed with Ms. Medawar's novel. It is a pleasant read, with reasonably interesting plot twists and a good backdrop. I must admit that when I first began the book, I got the erroneous first impression that it would be another "new age" apology for the long-lost and noble Amerind culture of the Kiowa-Comanche; a point of view that I confess I do not share. I put the book down. I returned to it months later (this weekend) with a mind to read it no matter what, and was most pleased. It provides a fairly accurate (though perhaps a wee-bit sugar coated) depiction of Kiowa-Comanche camp life prior to the Red River War. Also, Ms. Medawar provides what I beleive to be an even-handed portrayal of the Kiowa-Comance ethos and ethic, warts-and-all. Perhaps most importantly, however, is the fact that she spins an enjoyable mystery with a most enjoyable setting and all-too-human characters. I strongly recommend this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Where are you, Ms. Medawar?, June 17, 2005

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This review is from: The Witch of the Palo Duro (Paperback)

I discovered Tay-Bodal quite by accident and I just loved the book I read, which sent me out in search of other Tay-Bodal books. Alas, there are only four, and none currently in print. The stories are well-plotted, the style engrossing and humorous and the characters endearing (except for the villains, naturally). In addition to getting a great mystery, I also got a history lesson in each book and learned a great deal about the Kiowas and their tragic fate over 100 years ago. I also learned about Native American culture, their religion and medical practices. Why aren't there MORE of these books? That's what I want to know. They are just wonderful.