Dead Soul (Charlie Moon Mysteries)

Dead Soul (Charlie Moon Mysteries) by Doss, James D.. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780312317447.

When tribal chairman Oscar Sweetwater asks Charlie Moon to look into the murder of a fellow Ute, Billy Smoke, Charlie agrees, but he doesnt expect to find anything. After all, Billys boss, U.S. Senator Patch Davidson, nearly died in the ambush that night, too, so the FBI handled the investigation and its still unsolved. The senator does happen to be Charlies neighbor, though-their ranches share a fence line-so maybe the senator will be more forthcoming with him than he was with the FBI. Meanwhile, Charlies aunt Daisy, an elderly tribal shaman whose visions are looked upon by Charlie with skepticism even when they ring true, has seen a woman desperate for Charlies help. Daisy begins to badger Charlie to look for her, even though she cant tell him her name, where to look, or why shes in trouble. All in all, its shaping up to be another season in which the gentleman rancher spends more time being a reluctant investigator than working on his ranch, helping with the cattle or in the hunt for Two-toes, the bobcat whos been sneaking up on his men at work. And truth be told, hed rather go after the cat, who doesnt seem as dangerous as Senator Davidsons enemies or Billy Smokes "business" connections. James Dosss novels are consistently acclaimed for their combination of tight, suspenseful plotting and lyrical, authentic rendering of Native American themes and images, and Dead Soul is no exception.