Winter Counts

Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden (2020), 325 pages 

You may remember that I just finished Wisdom Corner by Weiden and did not realize it was volume 2 in the Virgil Wounded Horse series. I have now read the first volume and, honestly, like it more. Virgil is the local enforcer for the Rosebud Indian Reservation and is roped into helping squash the nascent heroin trade infiltrating the Reservation. I appreciate Weiden's informational look into Reservation life and the issues they are facing. I love learning more about the tribes and their customs. I did have one major issue regarding his nephew, but don't want to give spoilers. Additionally, this is listed as a thriller, and, like, Wisdom Corner, I would consider it a crime novel - it moves way to slow for thriller status. 

Wisdom Corner

Wisdom Corner by David Heska Wanbli Weiden (2026), 320 pages 

Somehow it missed me (and several others) that this is actually Book 2 in the Virgil Wounded Horse series. So, as I will be doing that shortly - go read Winter Counts first. 

Virgil Wounded Horse is a former enforcer/vigilante for hire on the Rosebud Reservation where he resides. He is trying to shake that lifestyle, but a murder on the Reservation and potential gang activity from the neighboring Pine Ridge Reservation are pulling him back in.  

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It is touted as a thriller, but the pacing does not lend it to that. It more of a slow burn. Weiden does an excellent job of portraying current Native life on a Reservation, but sometimes bogs the story down with too many side-details and historical notes. I find these details very interesting, but others will find them distracting. As always, though, I will forever feel angry for how Native Americans were/are treated on their own land.