Step into the rugged, soulful world of Gabriel Du Pré, where the wide-open plains of Montana meet the sharp edge of mystery! Peter Bowen’s Gabriel Du Pré series is a hidden gem in the mystery genre, blending gritty crime-solving with the rich cultural tapestry of the Métis people. Our hero, a fiddle-playing cattle brand inspector with a knack for unraveling secrets, navigates the fictional town of Toussaint with intuition, humor, and a deep connection to his roots.
With 15 novels spanning from 1994 to 2018, this series captures the heart of rural Montana, tackling everything from historical injustices to modern-day dilemmas. If you love mysteries with a strong sense of place and a touch of irreverence, Gabriel Du Pré is your next obsession.
How Gabriel Du Pré Began
Peter Bowen, a Montana native who wore many hats—cowboy, folksinger, poet—created Gabriel Du Pré in 1994 with Coyote Wind. Inspired by his childhood encounters with old cowboys in Bozeman and his fascination with Métis culture, Bowen crafted a protagonist who embodied the spirit of the American West. His goal? To shine a light on the Métis, a vibrant yet often overlooked community of French, Native American, and other ancestries, while spinning gripping tales of crime.
Bowen’s own experiences as a hunting guide and storyteller shaped the series’ authentic voice. He described his books as “potboilers” with literary depth, a nod to their fast-paced plots and evocative prose. The result is a series that feels like a fireside chat with a wise, whiskey-sipping friend.
The Heart of Gabriel Du Pré
The series kicks off with Coyote Wind, where Du Pré investigates a decades-old plane crash with a skeleton sporting a bullet hole. In Notches (1997), he hunts a serial killer leaving gruesome clues across Montana’s Hi-Line, a chilling tale that showcases Bowen’s cinematic flair. Badlands (2003) pits Du Pré against a suspicious cult threatening wild horses, while Nails (2006) weaves social commentary on war and fundamentalism into a taut mystery.
Bowen’s mysteries are more than whodunits—they’re love letters to Montana’s stark beauty and complex history. Themes of cultural identity, environmental stewardship, and justice for marginalized communities run deep, often guided by Du Pré’s enigmatic mentor, Benetsee, a shaman who blends mysticism with sharp wit. The series’ minimalist prose and cowboy vernacular create a vivid sense of place, making Toussaint feel as real as your hometown saloon.
Du Pré himself is the series’ beating heart: a Métis fiddler who drives fast, drinks hard, and solves crimes with a blend of local knowledge and gut instinct. His relationships—with his fierce lover Madeline, his wild granddaughter, and FBI pals like Harvey “Weasel Fat” Wallace—add humor and warmth to the dark crimes he tackles.
Why Gabriel Du Pré Resonates
The Gabriel Du Pré series has carved a niche among mystery fans for its authentic portrayal of Métis culture and rural life. Critics, like those at Booklist, praise its intelligent storytelling and comparison to Tony Hillerman’s Navajo mysteries. Readers on Goodreads rave about Du Pré’s eccentric charm and the series’ ability to make Montana’s landscapes a character in their own right.
Though Bowen passed away in 2020, his work endures as a testament to the West’s fading traditions and resilient spirit. The series’ blend of humor, heart, and hard-hitting themes keeps it fresh, inviting new readers to discover Toussaint’s dusty roads and Du Pré’s soulful fiddle tunes.
- Publication Span: 1994–2018
- Number of Books: 15
- Setting: Toussaint, Montana
- Notable Praise: Compared to Tony Hillerman by Midwest Book Review
Grab Coyote Wind and dive into Gabriel Du Pré’s wild, soulful Montana mysteries—you’ll be hooked by the first fiddle note!