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. 

Mayor of the Universe

 Mayor of the Universe by Lorna Landvik (2012) 353 pages

Fletcher Weschel grows up without having friends or ever fitting in. He feels that even his parents didn't care that much for him, and when his father left, life was even harder. Some of his best times were when he would act out one of his alter egos in the farm fields near his home, becoming Vince Shark, a CIA secret commando; or Deke Drake, an international playboy and jewelry thief; or Hip Galloway, a Texan cowboy/stunt-rider. 

As an adult, one night he is visited by several aliens. These aliens belong to Lodge 1212, and according to Charmat, who is in charge, "our jobs are to be goof-offs."  They were drawn to him because of his alter egos. The day after this visit, Fletcher's first action is to quit his actuarial job. One alien, Tandala, takes human form as a Black woman, and she mentors Fletcher as he time-travels and lives as his alter egos, exploring himself.

Author Lorna Landvik never disappoints me as she deals with the intricacies of people's relationships in her novels. The difference here is that aliens become a huge part of Fletcher's life.