Arapaho
attorney Vicky Holden is approached by Clint Hopkins, an attorney
who specializes in adoptions, who asks her to be co-counsel
on his current adoption case. They meet at a restaurant where
Clint explains his case is regarding an Arapaho couple, the
Little Shields, who want to adopt Mary Anne, the white baby
that was abandoned on their doorstep and who they raised,
believing they have been made foster parents. Shortly after
Clint hands his notes on the case to Vicky, he is run over
by a truck. Vicky is certain his death was murder. But Vicky
has a difficult time convincing the authorities. Later, she
reads Clint’s notes and begins to investigate the case.
The Little Shields reveal that Father John O’Malley
is aware of their predicament.
This
case parallels the true story of Elizabeth Fletcher, aka Lizzie
Brokenhorn, a white child who was two when she was captured
and subsequently traded to the Arapahos, and lived out her
life on the Arapaho reservation. Father John O’Malley’s
young niece, Shannon O’Malley, is researching the lives
of Elizabeth and her sister, and seeks her uncle’s help
in interviewing Lizzie’s descendants. As she explains,
old books and documents can sometimes be wrong. As Father
John points out, interviewing one of her descendants may lead
to information from others. Soon Shannon falls in love with
an Arapaho herself.
This
was one of the best of Margaret Coel’s releases, though
all of her books in this series are outstanding. I love the
way she brings alive the Arapaho way of life through her vivid
descriptions, the way she interweaves a tight, suspenseful
plot with past history, and draws parallels to enrich her
story and enhance the mystery. The fact that Vicky and Father
John care deeply for each other only adds to the charm of
this exceptional series.
Reviews
of other titles in this series
Wife
of Moon #10
Eye
of the Wolf #11
The
Drowning Man #12
Killing
Custer #17
The
Man Who Fell from the Sky #19
Winter's
Child #20 |