The Spider's Web

Father John O'Malley and Arapaho lawyer Vicky Holden are the crime-solvers in Coel's mystery series, which takes place on Wyoming's sprawling Wind River Reservation. Henry Strozier's deep, gruff voice draws the listener into the simple plot. His intense tone portrays the terror felt by Roseanne Birdwoman, the former girlfriend of murder victim Ned Windsong. Having returned to the reservation to participate in a rebirth ritual, she's soon on the run from the murder suspects, a couple of thugs who think she knows about their burglary ring. Strozier believably depicts the tribe's sorrow over Ned's death and their suspicion of outsiders, in particular Marcy Morrison, the white woman who was Ned's fiancée. Strozier's narration, combined with Coel's knowledge of Indian country, makes this production a worthy listen. K.P. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

July 19, 2010
The romantic tension between Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden and Fr. John O'Malley remains strong but muted in Coel's solid 15th Wind River mystery (after 2009's The Silent Spirit). The murder of Ned Windsong, a troubled young man trying to get his life straight, leaves a trail of confusion and suspicion surrounding his jilted girlfriend, Roseanne Birdwoman; his white fiancée, Marcy Morrison; and thuggish friends Lionel Lookingglass and Dwayne Hawk on the Wind River (Wyoming) reservation. Father John provides refuge for Marcy and finds a hiding place for Roseanne, but he also has doubts about Marcy that anger Vicky, who thinks Marcy is targeted simply because she's an outsider. Meanwhile, Marcy's televangelist father hires Vicky to protect his daughter's interests. Coel concentrates on the lives and traditions of the Arapaho in a tale that breaks no new ground but should satisfy series fans.