Murder at Medicine Lodge

Rating:
Summary: Tay-Bodal makes his third appearance
Review:

In 1867, several Indian tribes, including the Kiowa, travel to Medicine Lodge, Missouri to sign peace treaties with the U.S. government. However, there are many dissidents among the various Indian tribes, who believe that a treaty with the Blue Jackets is a mistake. Tension between the two factions is very high and it would take very little to destroy the fragile peace.

While riding the Plains, White Bear, a Kiowa warrior, finds a military bugle that he decides to return to the soldiers. White Bear expected several gifts for returning the bugle, but instead the Americna miltary arrest him for murdering Buuglah. While the tribe calls for war on the perfidious soldiers, the Kiowa Principal Chief turns to healer Tay-Bodal to investigate what happened before blood flows on the Plains.

MURDER AT MEDICINE LODGE, The third appearance of Tay-Bodal, Indian-sleuth, does not live up to the superior first two novels in this series. The who-done-it is

cleverly designed, but too many minor sub-plots actually subtract from the prime story line. This along with the myriad of secondary and tertiary characters overwhelm the appearances of Tay, who remains a fresh protagonist. Though the historical elements are intriguing, readers should try DEATH AT RAINY MOUNTAIN and WITCH OF THE PALO DURO for a great read that showcases Mardi Oakley Medawar's talent.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Sound the Bugle, This is One Murderously Satisfying Read!
Review: I've never been much for historical murder mysteries, so it is with great surprise that Ms. Medawar's Murder at Medicine Lodge stirred my soul, as well as my intellect, in ways I'm at a loss to explain. The characterizations were exquisitely detailed, vividly drawing out the multifaceted comparisons and contrasts between the main characters and their constituent groups. The notion of the 19th century native american society, a concept very difficult to effectively explain to the Eurocentric view that most of us are prisoner to, is masterfully conveyed without infringing on the integrity of the plot. With respect to plots, the intricacy of the multiple plotlines worked on many different levels, and Ms. Medawar ingeniously weaves them together for a satisfying finale which will keep you guessing until the last page. All the author requires is your full attention and some basic level of intellectual acumen, otherwise the figurative forest becomes too dense! A challenge most of us can rise to. Personally, I could not put this book down; it ranks with the popcorn page-turners of Clancy but is with the sense of satisfaction of disecting a Huxley. Ms. Marple and Mr. Poirot move over, there is a new master sleuth in town and his name is Tay-bodal, and if you are not too careful, you just might learn a thing or two in the process.