Welcome to Litsy!

I liked this mystery, but I did not like many of the main character's actions.

The author has indigenous heritage, but was adopted and raised by a white family, according to her author's note.

This book explores the too common phenomenon of indigenous women going missing from their communities. And it has at its core a struggling, alcoholic indigenous marshal trying to find one of them. There were moments I zoned out a little and I was bothered how reckless the main character was, but I fundamentally liked this. A low pick for me.

I had high hopes for this one. A mystery involving missing girls from a reservation. Unfortunately, this was a bit boring. The main character, Starr, was very unlikable and I felt no connection with her at all. Most of the supporting characters were not that great too. I was also disappointed in the Deer Woman. I was hoping it would bring a scary supernatural element to the story, but it was underwhelming. This book was ok, but not great for me.

“A powerful debut thriller with Indigenous folklore, following a detective who has suffered the loss of her own daughter and must return to the reservation where her father was raised to help other families avoid a similar fate.”

FULL SPOTLIGHT: https://tinyurl.com/yj6c7kuj

@lauriedoveauthor
@penguinrandomhouse

Indigenous representation is showcased here as a Native former detective turned tribal marshal searches for a missing rez college girl as well as many murdered women in the area. Aiding her is the mythical creature of folklore, the 'Deer Woman', who speaks for marginalized and forgotten. A commentary on the treatment of indigenous victims in this cultural crime thriller.