Gwen Florio

Many thanks to Midnight Ink via NetGalley for the opportunity to read a free Amazon e-book; [b: Reservations: A Lola Wicks Mystery #4] by [a: Gwen Florio|6575113|Gwen Florio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445955443p2/6575113.jpg]. The following is my honest review:

A fictional novel; "Reservations" uses fiction to highlight century long issues Native Tribes face. This book shows some ways European occupation brings toxicity and loss to the health of Native bands and families.

The focus of important topics is woven artistically and with strength throughout "Reservations." The European idea of wealth goes against the Native idea of value and life. This well written novel shows this.

At the end of "Reservations," I did a bit of research on author Gwen Florio. Her resume lists stories gotten from horrific scenes and incidents. Realizing her ilk, it is an honor to read her fiction.

This is the fourth in a series, but stands alone. It is my earnest prayer that she is cover the war going on at Standing Rock, ND. (Oct 2016).

[a: Gwen Florio|6575113|Gwen Florio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445955443p2/6575113.jpg] is a powerful writer who does not sugar coat. She tells both sides of a story with fairness. The ending is not a fairy tale happy-ever-after, but life rarely is.

[a: Gwen Florio|6575113|Gwen Florio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445955443p2/6575113.jpg] has a new constant reader. Thank you.… (more)

Foreign correspondent Lola Wicks arrivies in Montana for some R&R at a friend's cabin. Her friend is nowhere in sight. Anger turns to terror when Lola discovers her friend shot dead. She finds that she can't leave as she's held as a potential witness. Her best hope lies in solving the case herself. She forms a reluctant alliance with a local reporter, succumbs to the romantic attentions of a wealthy rancher, and fences warily with the state's first Indian candidate for governor.

Lola was feisty, prickly and not always likeable but she kept things interesting. Besides clashes with the locals, she had interesting interactions with her friend’s horse and dog as she learned how to take care of them. I guessed part of the ending early on but the story still kept my interest throughout.… (more)

Lola Wicks now works for a small Montana newspaper, and is living with the local sheriff, making it impossible for her to have the crime beat; however, when a local girl "from the rez" freezes to death to escape a menace, Lola decides she needs to investigate. Then she finds out there have been other local girls who mysteriously disappeared as well. Off she goes to see about oil mining in Dakota, with her faithful dog as companion. As Lola starts to poke around, her contacts start dying and as her research begins to yield results, she is KO'd by the bad guys. I would have liked this book better but Lola's rescue was too improbable to be taken seriously.… (more)