THE SPIDER'S WEB

Father John O’Malley and Arapaho lawyer Vicky Holden are the crime-solvers in Coel’s mystery series, which takes place on Wyoming’s sprawling Wind River Reservation. Henry Strozier’s deep, gruff voice draws the listener into the simple plot. His intense tone portrays the terror felt by Roseanne Birdwoman, the former girlfriend of murder victim Ned Windsong. Having returned to the reservation to participate in a rebirth ritual, she’s soon on the run from the murder suspects, a couple of thugs who think she knows about their burglary ring. Strozier believably depicts the tribe’s sorrow over Ned’s death and their suspicion of outsiders, in particular Marcy Morrison, the white woman who was Ned’s fiancée. Strozier’s narration, combined with Coel’s knowledge of Indian country, makes this production a worthy listen. K.P. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2011]