Vicky moved to Denver to work at a big law firm. She's finishing up a case involving gas rights on a Navajo reservation. Father John's new assistant priest is called on the carpet for sexual harrassment, and Father John hears a confession by a man who was an accessory to murder. Father John tries to find out who is missing. He and Vicky both learn about the death police conclude must be suicide, but they know no Arapaho would do such a thing in a sacred place. They begin working different aspects of the case, arriving at their conclusions about the same time, and both in danger at the same time in different states. I've enjoyed the audiobooks of this series while commuting or traveling until this installment. The audiobook was not available at my library so I had to read the print version of this one. I'm glad I finally did so I can get on with the series. It was a great installment. ( )

Father John and Vicky end up working on a homicide together again but from different angles...trying to maintain distance....but, eventually have to work together. There's a side plot with the assistant pastor who gets sued for sexual harassment. This series goes through more assistants than there are historical road signs in Texas.:-) Fun book, good read! ( )

Duncan Grover dies in Bear Lake Valley while on a vision quest that is officially ruled a suicide. Father John and Vicky Holden are not buying it. Why would an Arapaho go on on such a journey only to end up taking his own life? I liked this book. ( )

This is an involving series of mysteries that will appeal to many fans of Tony Hillerman set among the Arapaho and the Wind River Indian Reservation. The two main characters are John O'Malley, a Jesuit priest who runs the St. Francis Mission, and Vicky Holden, known among the Arapaho as Woman Alone, ever since she divorced her abusive husband and became a lawyer.

O'Malley has originally wanted to become a history professor, but was derailed by his alcoholism. St. Francis was one of the few places willing to take him, under those circumstances, but he has remained sober and become devoted to the Mission and the Arapaho.

I cannot say how accurate Coel's portrayal of the Arapaho is, but it is a very vivid picture of a people trying to adjust to modern life, and indeed, in some ways, seeking it, while trying to retain a sense of themselves and their heritage. Vicky and Father John are good friends, and work well together; there is always the temptation for something more, both are dedicated to a moral life, and Father John is dedicated to his priesthood.

I have so far enjoyed the six stories that I have read. The mysteries are varied, and touch upon many real social and personal issues. I always become involved with the people. It is always a trifle awkward trying to find a good reason why amateurs should keep involving themselves in police matters, but Coel handles it pretty well, and I accept it as a feature of the amateur detective series. ( )