Dive into the windswept plains of Wyoming, where the Wind River Reservation series by Margaret Coel spins gripping mysteries wrapped in Arapaho culture. This 20-book saga pairs Jesuit missionary Father John O’Malley with Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden to unravel crimes that echo the reservation’s rich history. Ready for a thrilling ride through a world where past and present collide?
Coel’s masterful blend of fact and fiction invites readers to explore the stark beauty of the Wind River Reservation, a 2.2-million-acre expanse shared by the Arapaho and Shoshone tribes. With a light touch and a knack for suspense, this series hooks mystery lovers and cultural explorers alike.
How Wind River Reservation Began
Margaret Coel, a Colorado native and historian, stumbled into fiction with her 1995 debut, The Eagle Catcher, initially meant as a standalone novel. Inspired by her research on the Arapaho and visits to the Wind River Reservation since the 1970s, Coel wove real-life crimes and oral histories into her stories. Her agent’s three-book deal sparked a series that grew to 20 novels, earning praise from Tony Hillerman, who called her a “master.” Coel’s deep connection to the Arapaho, forged through friendships and cultural immersion, grounds the series in authenticity.
The Heart of Wind River Reservation
The series kicks off with The Eagle Catcher, where Father John and Vicky probe the murder of the Arapaho tribal chairman, uncovering fraud in oil and land deals. In The Ghost Walker, a vanishing corpse ties to Arapaho legends of tormented spirits, blending mystery with cultural depth. The Spirit Woman explores Sacajawea’s legacy as the duo searches for a missing professor, while The Story Teller delves into a stolen ledger tied to the Sand Creek Massacre. Each book stands alone, but together they paint a vivid tapestry of the reservation’s challenges and traditions.
Coel’s themes—identity, justice, and cultural preservation—shine through her vivid Wyoming setting, where stark plains meet rugged mountains. Father John, a recovering alcoholic, and Vicky, reconnecting with her Arapaho roots, navigate personal struggles alongside crimes rooted in history. The series’ style, often compared to Hillerman’s Navajo mysteries, balances fast-paced plots with respectful portrayals of Arapaho life, from sun dances to oral storytelling. Readers feel the chill of winter winds and the weight of historical wounds.
Why Wind River Reservation Resonates
The Wind River Reservation series has sold over a million copies, landing Coel on The New York Times bestseller list and earning six Colorado Book Awards. Its impact lies in its bridge between cultures, drawing tourists to the reservation and fostering appreciation for Arapaho heritage. Fans cherish the slow-burn tension between Father John and Vicky, whose unspoken bond adds emotional depth. By tackling issues like poverty and historical trauma, Coel crafts stories that linger, blending entertainment with education.
Coel’s 2016 finale, Winter’s Child, left readers imagining the duo’s future, cementing the series’ legacy as a love letter to the Arapaho and Wyoming’s wild heart. Its niche appeal endures for those craving mysteries with soul.
- First published: 1995 (The Eagle Catcher)
- Total books: 20
- Awards: Six Colorado Book Awards, Willa Cather Award for The Spirit Woman
- Setting: Wind River Reservation, Wyoming
Grab The Eagle Catcher and step into the Wind River Reservation’s spellbinding world of mystery and culture!