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Wind River Reservation #15.5
Watching Eagles Soar
In this thrilling collection of short stories, New York Times bestselling author Margaret Coel invites you to follow Father John O’Malley and Vicky Holden further into the hidden mysteries and crimes of the Wind River Reservation…
When artifacts are stolen from the Arapaho Museum, Father John and Vicky are drawn down a path of two-bit hoodlums, drug dealers, and murder…An allergic reaction lands a young man in the ICU, but his life hinges on solving the mystery of a thirty-year-old murder…Vicky finds herself in a game of cat and mouse with Lonny Hereford, the murderer they call Bad Heart, whom she helped put away three years ago…
Experience these and other tales of sin, secrets, and retribution by award-winning author Margaret Coel. Also included are two essays by the author revealing her insights on writing about the West.
When artifacts are stolen from the Arapaho Museum, Father John and Vicky are drawn down a path of two-bit hoodlums, drug dealers, and murder…An allergic reaction lands a young man in the ICU, but his life hinges on solving the mystery of a thirty-year-old murder…Vicky finds herself in a game of cat and mouse with Lonny Hereford, the murderer they call Bad Heart, whom she helped put away three years ago…
Experience these and other tales of sin, secrets, and retribution by award-winning author Margaret Coel. Also included are two essays by the author revealing her insights on writing about the West.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2011
64 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Coel
64 books504 followersMargaret Coel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the acclaimed novels featuring Father John O'Malley and Vicky Holden, as well as several works of nonfiction. Originally a historian by trade, she is considered an expert on the Arapaho Indians.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 13, 2013
This collection of short stories from Margaret Coel not only gives the reader more of the Wind River Reservation with Father John and Vicky Holden, it gives us tales of the old west and a pair of essays from Ms. Coel about the craft of writing. Like any other collection, some of the stories are better than others, but I can honestly say that there was nothing here that I wouldn't recommend to anyone looking for a good read.
The book starts with a series called the Arapaho Ten Commandments - ten Wind River Mysteries each with a theme from the Ten Commandments. This was the weakest part of the book and would only get three stars from me. This is not to say that the stories were not good, only that, in this format (short stories with Father John and Vicky combining their efforts to solve murders), there was enough sameness to make them less effective than they probably were in their original setting. I imagine that if I had a magazine subscription and knew that every month I would see the next story in this series, I would haunt the mailbox each month waiting for the next installment; whereas reading them here, one right after then next, lessens their impact, emphasizing their similarities.
At the other end of the spectrum, are at least three stories that rate 5 stars (and one of those would rate even more if that was possible):
Yellow Roses (5 Stars) is the story of a young woman who moved to Colorado with her husband and daughter to "strike it rich" in the gold rush. Her husband died within weeks, and Mary Ann Salton is faced with a decision - should she attempt to survive on the frontier, or return home to the "civilized" East? When the story ends I want more; this is a woman who should be the role model for young girls everywhere (and young boys as well). She sees a future and grabs hold of it. I want a whole book about her, her life, and everything she does after this story ends. It is a story that will fire my imagination for some time to come.
St. Elmo in Winter (5 Stars) is the story of a skiing trip for an exploration of a ghost town in which things go wrong. Not a complicated story, but one that has a spirituality that touched me and will stay with me.
Lizzie Come Home (5 Stars +++) is the story of a white girl who was raised by the Arapaho. She married within the tribe, and has a newborn son. Lizzie's husband is out on a hunting trip when the army arrives with a woman seeking her sister - a white woman looking a lot like Lizzie. This story is so good that just thinking about it to write this review chokes me up. This story alone was worth the price of the book and more. I would recommend this story to anyone looking at Ms. Coel's works for the first time - of course then they would have to clear their calendar for the next month to read her other books.
All the rest of the stories here are worth at least Four Stars and are worthy of filling lunch breaks and quiet evenings, but I can't quit without mentioning the two essays from Ms. Coel included after the short stories.
Both of these essays are worth at least Five Stars. "The Birth Of Stories" provides a window into the mind and soul of Ms. Coel. She tells the reader where she finds the inspiration to write, and how the stories tell themselves to her. It is impossible to read this essay without wanting to read the stories that have given themselves to her - knowing she has done them justice; she has given them a good telling.
And finally "The West of Ghosts" gives us a look at the west as seen through Ms. Coel's eyes, both the history and the present. This is a "west" that I want to spend a lot more time with. I love the characters, the places, and the lore that she shows me. Her love couldn't be more clear if it was displayed in neon lights. I want more.
The book starts with a series called the Arapaho Ten Commandments - ten Wind River Mysteries each with a theme from the Ten Commandments. This was the weakest part of the book and would only get three stars from me. This is not to say that the stories were not good, only that, in this format (short stories with Father John and Vicky combining their efforts to solve murders), there was enough sameness to make them less effective than they probably were in their original setting. I imagine that if I had a magazine subscription and knew that every month I would see the next story in this series, I would haunt the mailbox each month waiting for the next installment; whereas reading them here, one right after then next, lessens their impact, emphasizing their similarities.
At the other end of the spectrum, are at least three stories that rate 5 stars (and one of those would rate even more if that was possible):
Yellow Roses (5 Stars) is the story of a young woman who moved to Colorado with her husband and daughter to "strike it rich" in the gold rush. Her husband died within weeks, and Mary Ann Salton is faced with a decision - should she attempt to survive on the frontier, or return home to the "civilized" East? When the story ends I want more; this is a woman who should be the role model for young girls everywhere (and young boys as well). She sees a future and grabs hold of it. I want a whole book about her, her life, and everything she does after this story ends. It is a story that will fire my imagination for some time to come.
St. Elmo in Winter (5 Stars) is the story of a skiing trip for an exploration of a ghost town in which things go wrong. Not a complicated story, but one that has a spirituality that touched me and will stay with me.
Lizzie Come Home (5 Stars +++) is the story of a white girl who was raised by the Arapaho. She married within the tribe, and has a newborn son. Lizzie's husband is out on a hunting trip when the army arrives with a woman seeking her sister - a white woman looking a lot like Lizzie. This story is so good that just thinking about it to write this review chokes me up. This story alone was worth the price of the book and more. I would recommend this story to anyone looking at Ms. Coel's works for the first time - of course then they would have to clear their calendar for the next month to read her other books.
All the rest of the stories here are worth at least Four Stars and are worthy of filling lunch breaks and quiet evenings, but I can't quit without mentioning the two essays from Ms. Coel included after the short stories.
Both of these essays are worth at least Five Stars. "The Birth Of Stories" provides a window into the mind and soul of Ms. Coel. She tells the reader where she finds the inspiration to write, and how the stories tell themselves to her. It is impossible to read this essay without wanting to read the stories that have given themselves to her - knowing she has done them justice; she has given them a good telling.
And finally "The West of Ghosts" gives us a look at the west as seen through Ms. Coel's eyes, both the history and the present. This is a "west" that I want to spend a lot more time with. I love the characters, the places, and the lore that she shows me. Her love couldn't be more clear if it was displayed in neon lights. I want more.
March 30, 2016
I'm beginning to like collections of short stories with characters I am familiar with. They compare to phone conversations with friends where you are catching up with the latest news and adventures.
I personally liked the first 10 stories and especially the personal essays about how she writes her stories, where her inspiration comes from, and how much research she does. It was enlightening to read the backstory to the first Wind River novel. If you are a fan of the Wind River series, this is an excellent addition.
I personally liked the first 10 stories and especially the personal essays about how she writes her stories, where her inspiration comes from, and how much research she does. It was enlightening to read the backstory to the first Wind River novel. If you are a fan of the Wind River series, this is an excellent addition.
May 18, 2015
These short stories were little gems. I think it might be harder to write a good story that a whole book as you have to have it all come together in a few pages. Margaret Coel has excelled in this book. Here is something you can pick up at leisure and take little time to read one or two if you are busy with life. However, I could hardly put it down. Reading one story made me want to read the next and then the next. A great read.
April 14, 2020
Very revealing how good a writer Margaret Coel really is. I have been reading her Wind River series for many years and enjoying her mystery stories of the Arapaho indians and the characters of Vicky Holden and Father O'Malley . In this book of stories and beyond the beyond even more so her talents as a writer in several other different stories. If you have never read any of her books, this would be a good one to start with. You will be glad you did.
February 5, 2020
I usually don't read short story collections, but I read everything I can by Margaret Coel. Some of the short stories include my favorites--Father John O'Malley and Vicky Holden. I also enjoyed the other stories of the Old West.
July 14, 2013
"Watching Eagles Soar" is a collection of short stories by author Margaret Coel, a historian and expert on the Arapahos. She is best known for her Father John O’Malley and Vicky Holden mysteries, and also for the Catherine McLeod mystery series. This book includes several short stories, a novella, and two essays. The collection is filled with exciting tales of adventure, love, and the old West. Some of the stories are set in the past, but even those set in the present touch on the colorful history of the West.
My favorite stories in the book are the Arapaho Ten Commandments stories, which were previously published in limited hardback editions. This is the first time these stories have been available to many of Coel’s fans. The stories feature Father John O’Malley, a priest at the St. Francis Mission, and Vicky Holden, an Arapaho lawyer who grew up on the Wind River Reservation. Some of the stories have obvious tie-ins to the corresponding commandment, but some of the connections aren’t as obvious. These stories take place in the present with themes ranging from revenge to loyalty and protecting your family, but all are entertaining. Father John and Vicky have worked together for several years on a wide variety of cases, including divorces, accidents, adoptions, and murders. Theirs is a unique friendship, but they make an excellent team, looking out for the legal and spiritual interests of the Arapaho.
In addition to the Ten Commandment stories, I really enjoyed the short story and novella featuring “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and her sleuthing during Colorado’s gold rush. Molly is a fun main character who won’t give up until she gets to the truth of any matter. I also like the story called “Yellow Roses” about a determined widow in gold country. It shows how the “wild west” could provide a haven for women looking for independence during that period in history. Many short story collections are uneven, but there are only two stories I didn’t care for in this collection, but others may like them. “St Elmo in Winter” about a young couple skiing has an ambiguous ending I didn’t care for, and “The Man Who Thought he was a Deer” was too bizarre for my taste. The remaining stories, some but not all featuring Father John and Vicky Holden, are very good.
The two non-fictional essays by Coel nicely wrap up this collection. “The Birth of Stories” talks about some of the ways the author get ideas for her stories. For example, she describes how a statue of Sacajawea inspired her to use her imagination and write a mystery novel called, “The Spirit Woman.” The other essay titled, “The West of Ghosts” shows how the past and present are tied together and how people in the present can be haunted by ghosts of the past. Like she does in her novels, Coel makes history come alive with real life examples, such has how I-25 that runs through the Rockies follows a trail made many years ago by the Arapahos and the Cheyennes.
Fans of Margaret Coel’s full-length novels will enjoy this collection of short stories. The collection also provides a perfect introduction to readers unfamiliar with Margaret Coel’s work. Readers who enjoy books by Tony Hillerman or James Doss will enjoy this excellent collection of stories by Coel.
4.5 stars. This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
My favorite stories in the book are the Arapaho Ten Commandments stories, which were previously published in limited hardback editions. This is the first time these stories have been available to many of Coel’s fans. The stories feature Father John O’Malley, a priest at the St. Francis Mission, and Vicky Holden, an Arapaho lawyer who grew up on the Wind River Reservation. Some of the stories have obvious tie-ins to the corresponding commandment, but some of the connections aren’t as obvious. These stories take place in the present with themes ranging from revenge to loyalty and protecting your family, but all are entertaining. Father John and Vicky have worked together for several years on a wide variety of cases, including divorces, accidents, adoptions, and murders. Theirs is a unique friendship, but they make an excellent team, looking out for the legal and spiritual interests of the Arapaho.
In addition to the Ten Commandment stories, I really enjoyed the short story and novella featuring “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” and her sleuthing during Colorado’s gold rush. Molly is a fun main character who won’t give up until she gets to the truth of any matter. I also like the story called “Yellow Roses” about a determined widow in gold country. It shows how the “wild west” could provide a haven for women looking for independence during that period in history. Many short story collections are uneven, but there are only two stories I didn’t care for in this collection, but others may like them. “St Elmo in Winter” about a young couple skiing has an ambiguous ending I didn’t care for, and “The Man Who Thought he was a Deer” was too bizarre for my taste. The remaining stories, some but not all featuring Father John and Vicky Holden, are very good.
The two non-fictional essays by Coel nicely wrap up this collection. “The Birth of Stories” talks about some of the ways the author get ideas for her stories. For example, she describes how a statue of Sacajawea inspired her to use her imagination and write a mystery novel called, “The Spirit Woman.” The other essay titled, “The West of Ghosts” shows how the past and present are tied together and how people in the present can be haunted by ghosts of the past. Like she does in her novels, Coel makes history come alive with real life examples, such has how I-25 that runs through the Rockies follows a trail made many years ago by the Arapahos and the Cheyennes.
Fans of Margaret Coel’s full-length novels will enjoy this collection of short stories. The collection also provides a perfect introduction to readers unfamiliar with Margaret Coel’s work. Readers who enjoy books by Tony Hillerman or James Doss will enjoy this excellent collection of stories by Coel.
4.5 stars. This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
January 15, 2014
This anthology opens with ten short stories, each based on one of the Ten Commandments. The two protagonists of the Wind River Mystery series, Vicky Holden and Father John O’Malley, grace each one of the stories. And then there is the ironic novella, “Molly Brown and Cleopatra’s Diamond,” describing how a newly rich woman crashes Denver society. Molly was a real-life person, wife of J.J. Brown, who struck it rich finding a mother lode of gold in what everyone thought was only a source for silver, and grew this stake into a larger fortune through business acumen.
Additional short stories, under the general heading “Stories from Beyond,” ironic tales basically with a mystery twist, some featuring Vicki and the Father, and one other involving Molly Brown, continue until the anthology concludes with two personal essays. The first, an introspective and informative look at how a story is born: from the germ of an idea or fact developed through an author’s imagination; the other, an interesting look at the author’s approach to writing based in the history and characters of the West and its past. The author’s highly respected, well-written novels in the Wind River series are illustrative of the themes of the two essays, based in the present, mysteries steeped in the past Arapaho culture and history.
These stories were written over a long period, from 1997 to2011, and were published in a variety of media. The collection is a valuable addition to anyone’s library, and is highly recommended.
Additional short stories, under the general heading “Stories from Beyond,” ironic tales basically with a mystery twist, some featuring Vicki and the Father, and one other involving Molly Brown, continue until the anthology concludes with two personal essays. The first, an introspective and informative look at how a story is born: from the germ of an idea or fact developed through an author’s imagination; the other, an interesting look at the author’s approach to writing based in the history and characters of the West and its past. The author’s highly respected, well-written novels in the Wind River series are illustrative of the themes of the two essays, based in the present, mysteries steeped in the past Arapaho culture and history.
These stories were written over a long period, from 1997 to2011, and were published in a variety of media. The collection is a valuable addition to anyone’s library, and is highly recommended.
February 13, 2017
If you are a fan of Tony Hillerman or Craig Johnson and have never heard of Margaret Coel, this is an ideal introduction to her! She writes mysteries featuring Vicky Holden, an Arapahoe lawyer, and Father John O'Malley, Catholic priest and recovering alcoholic sent to minister to the people on the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming. This is a book which includes 10 novellas, each story related to one of the Ten Commandments. Telling a story in a novella that takes 10-15 minutes is difficult enough, but Ms. Coel manages to convey both the feel of the "rez" and its people, but tie the story to a Commandment. There are additional stories in the book and I highly recommend it.
August 25, 2016
Y'know, it's weird. I haven't reached the point yet that ebooks 'feel' real; that is, I don't always feel as if I've actually read something as deeply on my Nook as I do in paper or audio formats. Strange. This book definitely feels that way. The stories were good, the essays were very interesting, but overall, this seemed sort of...vague. Maybe it's the disparate formats included: fiction, short stories, essays, history, Wind River, Molly Brown, etc. Maybe it was all the messing around I was doing while learning the Overdrive (ebook) layout and functionality. I do hope the next library ebook isn't as fiddly.
February 4, 2016
Short stories are not the type of stories that I usually read.
I have read most of Margaret Coel's books and saw this book and decided to read it.
I thought the first part of the book was set up in a cleaver manner. It is titled, " The Arapaho Ten Commandments Stories." The story has its title, example "Stolen Smoke." Then it says; "the First Commandment: I am the Lord Thy God; Thou shalt have none other gods but me." The story has something to do with the commandment.
Short stories are still not my genre, but I did enjoy these.
I have read most of Margaret Coel's books and saw this book and decided to read it.
I thought the first part of the book was set up in a cleaver manner. It is titled, " The Arapaho Ten Commandments Stories." The story has its title, example "Stolen Smoke." Then it says; "the First Commandment: I am the Lord Thy God; Thou shalt have none other gods but me." The story has something to do with the commandment.
Short stories are still not my genre, but I did enjoy these.
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February 27, 2016Coel makes all the pieces fit in her well-crafted murder mystery short stories. Everything moves the plots forward toward resolution, with developed characters and believable scenes. I appreciated seeing how she took elements from her novels--settings, plot points, and themes-- and created new stories. I read these one after another, and I don't recommend doing that. Because the stories are short and focused on solving murders, a negative pall is cast over the setting & characters because we don't see as much of the good of either, aside from the protagonists. Recommended!
June 30, 2014
An enjoyable compilation of short stories featuring characters from the author's Wind River Mystery series and other Colorado historical figures. I found the selections grouped together as the Arapaho Ten Commandments quite interesting. They provide an excellent insight into native culture and thinking. Some of the stories were open-ended allowing the reader to formulate a conclusion in his or her own mind.
December 29, 2015
Watching Eagles Soar is a real treat. There are several short stories featuring Father John O'Malley and Vicki Holden as well as other stories of the West. Ms. Coel also gives us two essays that give an inside look on her research and writing methods. Mystery readers who only read novels and never short stories are leaving some fine reading to collect dust on the library shelf. Go ahead- open this book and enjoy.
March 9, 2020
Anthology of short stories, plus some essays, by the author of the Vicki Holden mysteries. Like any anthology, variable - but good enough to keep my interest and to make me look for her next published book, coming soon.
August 19, 2013
A collection of short stories and a novella mostly about the Wind River Reservation. The first ten are based on the Ten Commandants. A nice read but would like to have seen the Wind River stories developed into novels.
September 22, 2013
Short stories are like potato chips, you can't read just one. Some tales are from the Wind River series, some set in pioneer Colorado.
February 5, 2014
Her books help me realize how much I love Wyoming
March 26, 2015
The short stories seem rushed compared to the plot and character development found in Coel's novels. Still, a quick, enjoyable read.
April 14, 2015
Don't usually read short stories but these are enjoyable. Coel gives a full picture of life on the Wind River Reservation, both early days and current.
March 16, 2016
Lots of interesting short stories, some were similar in content and some left you hanging a little at the end.
July 31, 2023
A fine collection of short stories with tales from the present day Arapaho reservation to those of the past; both White and Native perspectives.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews