Step into the windswept plains of Wyoming’s Wind River Reservation, where mystery and Arapaho culture intertwine in Margaret Coel’s captivating Wind River series! This New York Times bestselling mystery collection follows Father John O’Malley, a Jesuit priest, and Vicky Holden, an Arapaho attorney, as they unravel crimes steeped in history and heart. With a light touch and rich storytelling, Coel crafts a world that’s as thrilling as it is thought-provoking.
From its debut in 1995, the series has hooked readers with its blend of suspense, cultural depth, and vivid Western landscapes. Whether you’re a mystery buff or curious about Native American stories, Wind River offers a journey you won’t forget.
How Wind River Began
Margaret Coel, a Colorado native and historian, found inspiration for the Wind River series after years of researching the Arapaho people. Her non-fiction work, including a biography on Chief Left Hand, sparked a passion for their stories. Attending a writing conference with Tony Hillerman, whose Navajo mysteries were a hit, Coel thought, “I could write about the Arapahos!” Thus, in 1995, The Eagle Catcher launched the series, introducing Father John and Vicky as unlikely sleuths tackling reservation crimes.
Coel’s annual visits to the Wind River Reservation and interviews with Arapaho elders ensured authenticity. Her journalistic background sharpened her knack for weaving real injustices and oral histories into gripping fiction, making the series a love letter to the West.
The Heart of Wind River
The series, spanning 20 books, kicks off with The Eagle Catcher (1995), where a tribal chairman’s murder in his tepee sets Father John and Vicky on a trail of corruption and historical secrets. In The Spirit Woman (2000), Vicky searches for a missing professor chasing Sacajawea’s grave, uncovering reservation legends. Winter’s Child (2016), the finale, sees Vicky probing a lawyer’s suspicious death tied to an adoption case, blending modern crime with ancient mysteries. The Silent Spirit (2009) connects a young man’s death to Hollywood’s 1920s, showcasing Coel’s knack for linking past and present.
Wind River’s themes dig deep: historical injustices, like forced relocations, echo in modern struggles with poverty and addiction. The reservation’s stark beauty—plains stretching under vast skies—grounds the stories, while Arapaho traditions, from ghost walkers to sacred buffalo, add mystique. Coel’s style is accessible yet layered, balancing fast-paced plots with cultural reverence. Father John, a recovering alcoholic, and Vicky, a fierce advocate, bring heart and tension, their unspoken bond a fan-favorite thread.
The series isn’t just about solving crimes—it’s a window into Arapaho resilience and identity, making each book a cultural journey as much as a mystery.
Why Wind River Resonates
Wind River’s impact lies in its authenticity and heart. Coel’s work has sold over a million copies, earning six Colorado Book Awards and a WILLA Literary Award for The Spirit Woman. Fans, from mystery lovers to those drawn to Native American stories, praise its vivid setting and emotional depth. The Arapaho community embraced Coel, honoring her with a celebration, while tourists visit the reservation to walk in her characters’ footsteps.
By blending history with suspense, Coel elevates the cozy mystery genre, offering readers a chance to learn while they’re entertained. Though the series ended in 2016, its legacy endures, inviting new readers to discover its timeless tales.
About Wind River
- Publication Years: 1995–2016
- Number of Books: 20
- Awards: Six Colorado Book Awards, WILLA Literary Award for The Spirit Woman
- Setting: Wind River Reservation, Wyoming
Ready to unravel mysteries under Wyoming’s big sky? Grab The Eagle Catcher and dive into the Wind River world today!