Review and Giveaway: The Man Who Fell From the Sky

The Man Who Fell From the Sky (A Wind River Mystery - Book 19) by Margaret Coel

Publication Date: 09/01/2015
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425280306
ISBN-13: 978-0425280300

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, itunes

Margaret Coel on the WEB: Website, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads

Books in the series:

Wind River

  1. The Eagle Catcher
  2. The Ghost Walker
  3. The Dream Stalker
  4. The Story Teller
  5. The Lost Bird
  6. The Spirit Woman
  7. The Thunder Keeper
  8. The Shadow Dancer
  9. Killing Raven
10. Wife of Moon
11. Eye of the Wolf
12. The Drowning Man
13. The Girl With Braided Hair
14. The Silent Spirit
15. The Spider's Web
16. Buffalo Bill's Dead Now
17. Killing Custer
18. Night of the White Buffalo
19. The Man Who Fell From the Sky

Coverart: Click the image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from The Man Who Fell From the Sky, courtesy of the author's website

Synopsis:

New York Times bestselling author Margaret Coel returns to Wind River with Arapaho attorney Vicky Holden and Father John O’Malley investigating a lethal link between legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy and a present-day murder…

When Robert Walking Bear’s body is found in the Wind River mountains, his death appears to be accidental—except for the fact that he had been hunting for Butch Cassidy’s buried loot with a map he had gotten from his grandfather, a map believed to have been drawn by the leader of the Hole in the Wall gang himself.

It isn’t long before rumors circulate that Robert was murdered by his own cousins to get the map and find the treasure themselves. Despite there being no evidence of foul play, the gossip gains credibility when both Vicky and Father John are contacted by an anonymous Arapaho claiming to have witnessed Robert’s killing.

When one of Robert’s cousins falls prey to another deadly accident, Vicky and Father John are convinced the victim is the witness who confided in them, and the hunt for the killer is on in earnest—before more die in search of Cassidy’s cache.

Thoughts:

Margaret Coel continues the Wind River series with her latest book, The Man Who Fell From the Sky. Coel is first and foremost a historian and it shows in this series. She is considered an expert on the Arapaho which lends a lot of authenticity to her stories. Coel blends the past and the present in her new book, taking readers on a journey into the legends surrounding Butch Cassidy and his partner, the Sundance Kid. Did they escape to Bolvia? Was loot buried in 'them there hills'? And how does it all tie into a present day murder... The reader is sure to find this one appealing on a lot of levels.

What I liked:

This series has only been on my radar for the last few years. Margaret Coel's new book, The Man Who Fell From the Sky is actually the nineteenth book in this series following the antics of a Jesuit priest and an Arapaho attorney, as they solve mysteries on the Wind River Reservation. I don't know how I missed this one for so long. It's such a well written and historically accurate series. Margaret Coel's background in history is well showcased in every book in this series. Readers who like their mysteries with a little more depth will love these books. Cozies tend to be light, even though the subject is murder, but Coel just delves a little deeper into the story than most and it gives her books a different kind of feel to them that is quite addictive.

This book takes on the legend of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, by making the current murder investigation surround the possible money hidden on the Wind River Reservation buried long ago. Readers get everything from treasure maps to film crews. From a possible suicide to a murder among family members. It's quite the ride and Coel never ceases to add in historical tidbits which make the reader want to go beyond the book and learn more about the infamous leader of the Hole in the Wall gang.

The relationship between Vicky and Father John is always evolving in this series. You can certainly feel that undercurrent of tension in this book. It gives the story a different layer for readers to consider and think about beyond the actual mystery. One of the things that I find so alluring about cozy mysteries is the personal interest the reader can take in the reoccurring characters. Father John is one of those characters you wish you knew in real life and Vicky is one smart lady. Coel does an exceptional job with her characters from the leading roles to the secondary roles. Excellent characterizations.

What I Didn't Like:

There really wasn't too much I didn't like about this one except the fact that I wish I read them all in order. I think the reader misses out on a lot of the little nuances of the story when they haven't read the previous books. This is certainly a series I want to back track on and get caught up with before the next one comes out.

Bottom Line:

What more could you ask for from a great mystery? Historical detail, authentic Arapaho knowledge and the legend of Butch Cassidy. This was a top notch cozy that went a beyond the average cozy in terms of detail and characterizations. I liked the duo of the priest and the lawyer and found the mystery aspects of the book to be spot on. I had this one figured out, but it didn't go down quite how I thought it would. A series to try if you've never read one that balances history and mystery. A great addition to the series.

The Man Who Fell From the Sky is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Margaret Coel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the acclaimed Wind River Mysteries featuring Father John O’Malley and Vicky Holden (Night of the White Buffalo, Killing Custer, Buffalo Bill’s Dead Now), as well as the Catherine McLeod Mysteries (The Perfect Suspect, Blood Memory) and several works of nonfiction. Originally a historian by trade, she is considered an expert on the Arapaho Indians. 

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of The Man Who Fell From the Sky by Margaret Coel.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
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~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, September 16th.

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