The spider's web

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English

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Vicky Holden and Father John O'Malley find themselves on opposite sides of an investigation. When Arapaho Ned Windsong is shot to death, his fiancée Marcy is the only witness. Even though she identifies two Arapaho troublemakers, Ned's family clings to the belief that Marcy herself was responsible. Convinced of Marcy's innocence, Vicki agrees to represent the outsider- and finds herself at odds with her own people. She also finds herself at odds with Father John, because the mission priest has glimpsed something in the beautiful girl that shakes him to his core. And when the men Marcy has accused of murdering her fiancé are found dead in an abandoned barn, Vicky and Father John realize they are caught in a web of lies and deceit woven by a master.

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ISBN
9780425236604
9781410433312

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
The Sister Conchita and John O'Malley series feature teams of sleuths--one religious and the other part of law enforcement. Both series use native culture -- in America and the Solomon Islands -- which gives them a strong sense of place. -- Merle Jacob
Men of the cloth star in these suspenseful murder mysteries set in Chicago (Ryan mysteries) and Wyoming (O'Malley mysteries). Both series are fast-paced, character-driven, and compelling. The O'Malley mysteries also feature a female Native American attorney. -- Mike Nilsson
Both of these amateur detective series use a Catholic priest and an attorney friend as their sleuths who must use their religious and legal knowledge to solve crimes in their small towns. The complex stories feature very likeable characters. -- Merle Jacob
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "indigenous women" and "indigenous men."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries."
These series have the genres "mysteries" and "modern westerns"; and the subjects "longmire, walt (fictitious character)" and "standing bear, henry (fictitious character)."
These series have the appeal factors strong sense of place and evocative, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "arapaho (north american people)," "amateur detectives," and "women amateur detectives."
These series have the appeal factors suspenseful, strong sense of place, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "indigenous peoples of north america" and "conspiracies"; and characters that are "well-developed characters" and "likeable characters."
These series have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "indigenous reservations" and "indigenous peoples of north america"; and characters that are "well-developed characters" and "likeable characters."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Shadow man - Doss, James D.
These books have the appeal factors strong sense of place and evocative, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder suspects," "amateur detectives," and "women amateur detectives."
These books have the appeal factors strong sense of place and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "murder suspects," "indigenous peoples of north america," and "missing persons"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful and strong sense of place, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "adult books for young adults"; and the subject "murder suspects."
These books have the appeal factors strong sense of place, atmospheric, and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "modern westerns"; the subjects "murder suspects," "secrets," and "murder"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These books have the genres "mysteries" and "adult books for young adults"; and the subjects "murder suspects," "missing persons," and "murder."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, cinematic, and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder suspects," "amateur detectives," and "women amateur detectives."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "adult books for young adults"; the subject "murder suspects"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These books have the appeal factors strong sense of place and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "murder suspects," "indigenous peoples of north america," and "women murder victims"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "modern westerns"; and the subjects "murder suspects," "revenge," and "murder."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, strong sense of place, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "murder suspects," "women murder victims," and "revenge"; and characters that are "well-developed characters" and "likeable characters."
These books have the appeal factors suspenseful, strong sense of place, and intricately plotted, and they have the genres "mysteries" and "thrillers and suspense"; the subjects "murder suspects" and "innocence (law)"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
NoveList recommends "Monty Collins and Father Burke mysteries" for fans of "John O'Malley and Vicky Holden mysteries". Check out the first book in the series.

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear write of prehistoric North Americans and their books are not specifically mystery stories, but Margaret Coel's fans will find much of interest in the Gears' stories presenting insightful, honest commentary on Indigenous culture, featuring sympathetic and engaging characters. -- Katherine Johnson
Both authors use suspenseful, compelling, and thought-provoking mysteries set on reservations in the Western United States to explore the clash between traditional Native American culture and harsh present-day realities in intricately plotted, richly detailed, character-driven, and issue-oriented stories. -- Anne Filiaci
Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear write of prehistoric North Americans and their books are not specifically mysteries, but Coel's fans will find much interest in the Gears' stories presenting insightful, honest commentary on Indigenous culture, featuring sympathetic and engaging characters. -- Katherine Johnson
These authors' works have the subjects "amateur detectives," "women amateur detectives," and "priests."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the subjects "arapaho (north american people)," "amateur detectives," and "women amateur detectives."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "indigenous peoples of north america," "murder investigation," and "missing persons"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "arapaho (north american people)," "amateur detectives," and "holden, vicky (fictitious character)."
These authors' works have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "amateur detectives," "women amateur detectives," and "indigenous peoples of north america."
These authors' works have the appeal factors strong sense of place, and they have the genre "modern westerns"; the subjects "indigenous peoples of north america" and "secrets"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."
These authors' works have the appeal factors suspenseful and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "murder investigation" and "murder."
These authors' works have the appeal factors suspenseful and strong sense of place, and they have the genre "mysteries"; and the subjects "indigenous peoples of north america" and "murder investigation."
These authors' works have the appeal factors suspenseful, strong sense of place, and intricately plotted, and they have the genre "mysteries"; the subjects "murder investigation" and "murder"; and characters that are "well-developed characters."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

When Ned Windsong, an Arapaho who recently returned to the Wind River Reservation, is murdered, the beautiful outsider Marcy Morrison, his fiancée, identifies two Arapaho troublemakers as the killers. But despite that, Marcy feels she is a suspect herself and hires Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden. In addition, Father John O'Malley agrees to let Marcy stay at the mission. Father John senses something off about Marcy, but there is no shortage of suspects, including Lionel and Dwayne, the troublemakers, and Ned's old girlfriend, Roseanne Birdwoman. Father John and Vicky soon find that Ned was involved in a series of burglaries, and the two discover lies piled upon deceit as they try to find out who killed Ned. Coel's fifteenth mystery set on the Wind River Reservation stands on its own, with enough background information about Father John and Vicky Holden to help new readers keep up. Coel also subtly works in Arapaho customs as well the social troubles facing those on the reservation, making for a meaty mystery.--Kan, Kat Copyright 2010 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

The romantic tension between Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden and Fr. John O'Malley remains strong but muted in Coel's solid 15th Wind River mystery (after 2009's The Silent Spirit). The murder of Ned Windsong, a troubled young man trying to get his life straight, leaves a trail of confusion and suspicion surrounding his jilted girlfriend, Roseanne Birdwoman; his white fiancee, Marcy Morrison; and thuggish friends Lionel Lookingglass and Dwayne Hawk on the Wind River (Wyoming) reservation. Father John provides refuge for Marcy and finds a hiding place for Roseanne, but he also has doubts about Marcy that anger Vicky, who thinks Marcy is targeted simply because she's an outsider. Meanwhile, Marcy's televangelist father hires Vicky to protect his daughter's interests. Coel concentrates on the lives and traditions of the Arapaho in a tale that breaks no new ground but should satisfy series fans. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
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Kirkus Book Review

An Arapaho attorney and a parish priest who often work together have different takes on a murder on the rez.Ned Windsong's been in trouble in the past. But he moved back to the Wind River Reservation determined to straighten out his life. Now two troublemakers from the rez and his former girlfriend Roseanne Birdwoman have found him shot to death in the house he and his white girlfriend Marcy Morrison have been sharing. Marcy's wealthy, estranged evangelist father hires attorney Vicky Holden to protect his daughter's interests. Refusing the FBI offer of a safe house, Marcy continues her stay at the guest house at Father John O'Malley's mission. Despite being beaten and traumatized, she identifies the men who discovered the body as the killers, but it's obvious that she's hiding something. Naturally, the people of the reservation are quick to direct their suspicions at Marcy, the outsider. When Vicky and Father John dig into the past of Ned, Marcy and Roseanne, they find evidence of Marcy's drug use and bad relationships and Ned's links to a burglary ring in Jackson Hole. Although Vicky feels sorry for the neglected daughter, Father John has a bad feeling about her past. All their lives may be in danger until the killer is found.Far from the best in Coel's Wind River series (The Silent Spirit, 2009, etc.), but still worth reading for its insights into modern reservation life.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

"When Ned Windsong, an Arapaho who recently returned to the Wind River Reservation, is murdered, the beautiful outsider Marcy Morrison, his fiancée, identifies two Arapaho troublemakers as the killers. But despite that, Marcy feels she is a suspect herself and hires Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden. In addition, Father John O'Malley agrees to let Marcy stay at the mission. Father John senses something off about Marcy, but there is no shortage of suspects, including Lionel and Dwayne, the troublemakers, and Ned's old girlfriend, Roseanne Birdwoman. Father John and Vicky soon find that Ned was involved in a series of burglaries, and the two discover lies piled upon deceit as they try to find out who killed Ned. Coel's fifteenth mystery set on the Wind River Reservation stands on its own, with enough background information about Father John and Vicky Holden to help new readers keep up. Coel also subtly works in Arapaho customs as well the social troubles facing those on the reservation, making for a meaty mystery." Copyright 2010 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2010 Booklist Reviews.
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Library Journal Reviews

In this 15th mystery set on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming, attorney Vicky Holden goes up against the community and Father John O'Malley when she defends a potentially murderous outsider. Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

The romantic tension between Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden and Fr. John O'Malley remains strong but muted in Coel's solid 15th Wind River mystery (after 2009's The Silent Spirit). The murder of Ned Windsong, a troubled young man trying to get his life straight, leaves a trail of confusion and suspicion surrounding his jilted girlfriend, Roseanne Birdwoman; his white fiancée, Marcy Morrison; and thuggish friends Lionel Lookingglass and Dwayne Hawk on the Wind River (Wyoming) reservation. Father John provides refuge for Marcy and finds a hiding place for Roseanne, but he also has doubts about Marcy that anger Vicky, who thinks Marcy is targeted simply because she's an outsider. Meanwhile, Marcy's televangelist father hires Vicky to protect his daughter's interests. Coel concentrates on the lives and traditions of the Arapaho in a tale that breaks no new ground but should satisfy series fans. (Sept.)

[Page ]. Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.

Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
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