Jackie Says, "Don't Miss Out On The Start of a Great Series!"

Death Along the Spirit Road

First in a new series featuring FBI agent Manny Tanno- a Native American returning to the reservation home he thought he left behind. 
 
Eighteen years ago, FBI agent Manny Tanno thought he was leaving the impoverished Pine Ridge Reservation for good. Now a case forces him to return, digging up memories of his proud Sioux ancestry—and some family he'd rather forget.

The body of local Native land developer Jason Red Cloud is found on the site for his new resort near Pine Ridge Village. A war club is lodged in his skull, and there are clues to suggest a ritual may have been performed at the crime scene. Agent Tanno's boss orders his to return to the reservation, his former home, and solve the murder in two weeks—or he can kiss his job good-bye.

Manny arrives in Pine Ridge to find that some things haven't changed since he left. His former rival, now in charge of the tribal police, is just as bitter as ever, and he has no intention of making Manny's life easy. And the spirit of Red Cloud haunting Manny's dreams is not much help either. Now Manny is on his own in hunting down a cold-blooded killer—and one misstep could send him down the spirit road as well. . .

Jackie says:
"This is the first book in a series (Spirit Road Mysteries; the next comes out in Summer 2012) and it's sets a pace for the series that is bound to be a hit with Tony Hillerman or Margaret Coel fans, and really any mystery reader who likes a little bit of grizzle and humor in their heroes.

Manny Tanno grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation.  He stayed for awhile, becoming part of the tribal police force, before moving on and east to the FBI where he gained fame by solving every murder case that came his way.  While he'd often worked on other cases involving Native Americans, this was first time he'd been sent to his old stomping grounds as an agent.  As he suspected, his welcome was a rather cold one that quickly becomes brutal has he is attacked over and over again (and sets a record for demolishing Hertz rental cars).  But the most painful part is the fact that the killer that he is looking for just might be is own estranged brother.

Wendelboe knows about what he speaks--he's a retired law man who worked in an area  of South Dakota that covered three reservations, including Pine Ridge.  His explanations, and his clear respect, of native lore and beliefs add a depth to the book that makes it rise above being a "mere" mystery.  Step into the world of Manny Tanno--I truly think you'll enjoy the trip."