Margaret Coel

Margaret Coel is an American author best known for her Wind River Mystery series featuring Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden and Father John O'Malley. She has written seventeen books in this series, set on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. Before focusing on fiction, Coel worked as an historian and investigative journalist, publishing several non-fiction works about Native American history and the American West. Her 1981 book "Chief Left Hand" is considered a definitive biography of the Southern Arapaho chief. The Wind River mysteries draw heavily from Coel's extensive research into Arapaho culture and her long relationship with the Wind River Reservation community. Her portrayal of contemporary Native American life and issues has earned recognition from both literary circles and Native American organizations. Beyond the Wind River series, Coel has authored the Catherine McLeod mystery series about an investigative reporter in Denver, as well as several standalone novels. She continues to be recognized as a significant voice in both Western and Native American literature.

Readers praise Coel's accurate depictions of Arapaho culture and life on the Wind River Reservation. Many note her ability to balance mystery plots with authentic Native American perspectives. Reviews highlight the complex relationship between main characters Vicky Holden and Father John O'Malley. What readers liked: - Detailed research and historical accuracy - Strong sense of place and Wyoming setting - Character development across the series - Educational insights into Arapaho traditions What readers disliked: - Some find the plots formulaic after several books - A few readers note slow pacing - Later books in series seen as repetitive - Some say romantic subplot becomes tedious Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: Average 3.9/5 across all books - Amazon: 4.4/5 average for Wind River series - LibraryThing: 3.8/5 overall author rating One reader noted: "Coel brings the reservation to life without romanticizing or stereotyping." Another commented: "The mysteries themselves are solid, but it's the cultural details that keep me coming back."

The Eagle Catcher - A Jesuit priest and an Arapaho lawyer investigate a tribal chairman's murder on the Wind River Reservation.

The Ghost Walker - Father John O'Malley and Vicky Holden pursue answers when a sacred petroglyphs site becomes linked to mysterious deaths.

The Dream Stalker - A controversial wind-farm project leads to murder on the reservation.

The Story Teller - An investigation into a museum curator's death connects to a 1923 film about Arapahos.

The Lost Bird - A young adoptee's search for her birth mother intersects with murder on the reservation.

The Spirit Woman - The disappearance of two women decades apart reveals connections to Sacajawea's history.

The Thunder Keeper - A mining company's interests on reservation land lead to violence and murder.

The Shadow Dancer - A deadly flu epidemic and a murder investigation reveal links to ancient tribal ceremonies.

Killing Raven - A dead body at a new reservation casino triggers an investigation into organized crime.

Wife of Moon - A modern murder connects to a photographer's death in 1907 and the Arapaho Ghost Dance.

Eye of the Wolf - A film crew's arrival coincides with protests and murder during the Arapaho Sun Dance.

The Drowning Man - An ancient petroglyph's theft leads to murder and endangers a young Arapaho man.

The Girl with Braided Hair - A 35-year-old corpse discovery reveals connections to 1970s American Indian Movement activism.

Silent Spirit - A murder investigation connects to the history of Arapahos in Hollywood silent films.

The Spider's Web - A basketball star's murder investigation reveals tensions between reservation and nearby town residents.

Buffalo Bill's Dead Now - Historic regalia returned to the tribe leads to murder and theft.

Killing Custer - A reenactment of Custer's Last Stand becomes the scene of a real murder.

Night of the White Buffalo - The birth of a sacred white buffalo calf coincides with a rancher's murder.

Chief Left Hand - A biography of the Arapaho chief who sought peace during the 1864 Sand Creek Massacre period.

Goin' Railroading - A history of two generations of railroad workers in Wyoming.

Tony Hillerman writes mysteries set in Navajo territory featuring Native American detectives Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn. His books incorporate authentic details about tribal culture, customs and modern life on the reservation.

Nevada Barr creates mysteries focused on National Park Service ranger Anna Pigeon who solves crimes in various U.S. national parks. Her plots incorporate wilderness settings and environmental issues while providing insights into park operations and history.

William Kent Krueger writes about Cork O'Connor, a part-Ojibwe former sheriff solving crimes in Minnesota's remote lake country. His mysteries explore tensions between Native and white communities while incorporating Ojibwe spiritual traditions and culture.

Craig Johnson focuses on Sheriff Walt Longmire solving crimes in present-day Wyoming, often involving both reservation and non-reservation communities. His books feature detailed portrayals of modern Western life and relationships between law enforcement and tribal authorities.

Anne Hillerman continues her father Tony Hillerman's series featuring Navajo police officers, with enhanced focus on female officer Bernadette Manuelito. Her mysteries maintain the original series' emphasis on Navajo culture while exploring contemporary reservation issues.