Coyote Wind

July 4, 1994
The author of the Yellowstone Kelly mysteries introduces a new regional detective in Montana cattle inspector and sometime sheriff's deputy, Gabriel Du Pre, a Metis, whose ancestors are French and Cree. The 40-year-old widower and father of two daughters wrestles with the mystery of a newly discovered, three-decades old plane wreck with the remains of a rancher, his wife and a third headless, handless corpse. In the process of investigating, Du Pre becomes acquainted with the man whose family bought the ranch where the wreck was later found. He also uncovers the tainted history of his deceased parents and an eccentric aunt who lives in Canada and searches an old gold mining claim once owned by his father to discover the answer that links his family with the rancher's. Distinguished by realistic dialogue, a fluid inclusion of local history and Du Pre's convincing concern with guilt, repentance and tradition, this is a deeply textured tale. As ``Coyote Jack,'' Bowen writes for the ``Forbes FYI'' column.

Montana sheriff's deputy Gabriel Du Pre investigates when a skeleton is found on a ranch in this first novel in a series. The delight of this mystery is not the plot, but the characters and the details of life among the Meti (half-French, half-Native American) people. Christopher Lane shares those details with an intimate voice that drawls but still moves quickly. He gives a thick but clear accent to Du Pre, occasionally blurring the lines between Du Pre's conversations and his thoughts but still creating a rich character. He gives a whiny voice to the alcoholic Bart as the novel weaves itself around those two characters. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine