Sandi Ault

This mystery, set in the pueblos of New Mexico and filled with magical realism and Native American mysticism, is a departure from the cozy mysteries reviewed so far in the my #atozmysterytour – and that departure makes for a satisfying read. Take the deep dive, and travel with Jamaica Wild, agent for the Bureau of Land Management, as her journey weaves in and out of the lives of the Tiwa Puebloans who populate the fictional Tanoah Pueblo.

When Jerome Santana dies by apparent suicide in show more Jamaica’s presence during the Quiet Time when outsiders are not allowed in the Pueblo, Jamaica falls under suspicion and must rely on the teaching and protection of Momma Anna Santana, her medicine teacher, and Esperanza (also known as Telacote), a curandera. And always, the wolf cub Mountain is Jamaica’s companion.

Sandi Ault’s prose is lyrical; you won’t want to skim her depictions of the wild country of the Pueblos. There are two important pieces of information at the beginning of the book: a disclaimer stating that the author purposely combined disparate facts of her Native American research to ensure that this book’s mythology remain fictional, and a dedication to the real-life wolf cub Mountain.

Although the reader may wonder why Jamaica feels entitled to insert herself into Pueblo life over the objections of some, this is the first series in the A to Z Mystery Tour to stand out as an example of a deeper mystery. Five stars. show less

I love finding a new to me mystery series, especially the ones set close to home. The book creates a draw that makes me want to visit the area at the soonest.
Sandi Ault has either lived this life or does a helluva fab job of researching all aspects of Pueblo life, herbal and witchcraft lore, federal agency bureaucracy and what it's like to live with a real wolf.
There are some scenes of Jamaica's past and past cases that I hope get addressed in future books in the series. Little cliffhangers show more abound to keep the reader asking for more info.

Four coming back for more beans..... show less

8.25

Although this is the fourth of the Jamaica Wild mysteries to be published, the events in this story actually take place before the other three.

Jamaica Wild, a resource protection agent for the Bureau of Land Management (Taos Field Office), is out for her morning run when she sees a body on a cross falling off a cliff into the Rio Grande Gorge.

Jamaica soon makes the connection between this incident and Los Penitentes, a secret, nearly forgotten religious group she's been researching. But show more would the members of the sect really try to kill her in order to keep from learning about them?

Jamaica is well-realized as an introspective loner who becomes more social as the story progresses, especially when she meets handsome forest ranger Kerry Reed (who eventually becomes her significant other). But, what makes the book really outstanding is Ault's glorious descriptions of southwestern landscape and history.

*FTC Full Disclosure: Many thanks to the publisher, who sent me a copy of the book for review purposes. show less