"When the body of a teenage Ojibwe girl washes up on the shore of an island in Lake Superior, the residents of the nearby Bad Bluff reservation whisper that it was the work of a deadly mythical beast, the Windigo, or a vengeful spirit called Michi Peshu. Such stories have been told by the Ojibwe people for generations, but they don’t explain how the girl and her friend, Mariah Arceneaux, disappeared a year ago. At the request of the Arceneaux family, private investigator Cork O’Connor takes on the case. But on the Bad Bluff reservation, nobody’s talking."
This is the first book I've read by William Kent Krueger. I discovered Windigo Island thanks to my Hoopla Digital "Recommended for You" section. Honestly, this is one of the best books I've read in a while!
Windigo Island is a well written mystery that focuses on Cork O'Conner attempting to find Mariah Arceneaux. Unlike many detectives, Cork O'Conner is no lone wolf. Cork has a strong support system and close companions aiding his search for the missing Mariah. And as they dig deeper, they soon discover that the depravity of Man can be even more terrifying than the mythical windigo. The more Cork learns about the case, the more he realizes that Mariah's life isn't the only one in danger. Other girls could die if the case isn't solved on time.
What makes Windigo Island standout from others in its genre is that the case involving young Mariah is used to make the reader aware of current issues in our society. This is a novel that heavily focuses on the impacts that colonization and racism have had on Native American communities. As O'Conner learns more about the disappearance of Mariah Arceneaux, the reader learns more about problems affecting Native American communities and how those problems originated. There is talk of substance abuse, mental health issues, human trafficking, and the limited resources that Native Americans on reservations often have. Previous books I have read with similar plots tend to heavily vilify those suffering from such issues. Unintentionally dehumanizing and not addressing the whys. Krueger doesn't. Protagonist O'Conner sees them for what they are. Victims who have been exploited by those in positions of power. There's a reason that Krueger doesn't make O'Conner a lone wolf detective. The social issues in Windigo Island are big. To create positive change, community action is needed because one person can't do it alone. Windigo Island is full of compassion for the story's victims and rightfully angry at those who have abused their power to hurt others. If you haven't read Windigo Island yet, I hope this is one book that's placed on your TBR because it's definitely worth the read. ~Narration~ I selected the audiobook version of Windigo Island. This version of the book was produced by Recorded Books,Inc and was narrated by David Chandler. If you decided to enjoy Windigo Island by using the audio book, you will enjoy Chandler's narration. Chandler did a superb job! My Rating: ?????
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