Cold River Rising: A Native American Mystery and Thriller Series

Cold River #1

by Enes Smith

IF YOU LIKE 'SURVIVAL' - THE #1 BESTSELLING COLD RIVER RISING IS A MUST READ! A Political Action Thriller by #1 Amazon bestselling author Enes Smith. The screenplay for a feature film is complete! Cold River Rising is a story of Native American college student Tara REd Eagle, a tribal member who has the uncanny ability of a Shaman - she can sketch events before they happen. The gift fails to help her when she is taken hostage with other students on a trip to Peru. On the Cold River Indian Reservation of Oregon, her grandfather Bluefeathers tries to get help from the U.S. government. When the government refuses, for aversion to an international upset, Bluefeathers makes an impassioned speech to the U.S. Senate and proclaims the Indians are warriors once again. He declares war on the nation of Peru. Bluefeathers sends an unlikely war party of a new Siyapu ('White Man) police chief and two tribal police officers, Lori and Hawk, to rescue the students. He closes the borders and calls on the other Indian nations to the United States to join them. In Peru, one of Tara's friends is killed. Tara becomes distraught because she can't remember the "old ways" and how to dress the body. Enraged, she picks up a rifle in the middle of the night and runs to avenge her friend. While students race to stay alive in a foreign land, Martin, Hawk, and Lori fight battles of their own on their way to find them. The Cold River Rising novels are stories of a people coming together to survive, of learning to be warriors once again. Enes Smith is a former tribal chief of police for a large Indian reservation. Cold River Rising and the Cold River series, has been an Amazon #1 bestseller. His books have sold over 1 million copies. Of his first novel, Fatal Flowers (Berkley) renowned crime writer Ann Rule said, "Smith is a cop who's been there and a writer on his way straight up. Read this on a night when you don't need to sleep, 'cause you won't."

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Suspense, Native American, Mystery Thriller

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Valerie Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride

This was not a predictable book for me, which definitely won points in my book. it has a high body count. I didn't give this five stars because so much attention was paid to the action portion of the book that a lot of the character development was sacrificed for that. But my guess is you will still enjoy it!

[Toni Ressaire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold River Rising by Enes Smith is a contemporary story about Native Americans living between modern American culture and their native traditions. From what I understand, the author is not Native American, so I can't know whether the ideology of this book with regards to how Native Americans view themselves is authentic; however, it was interesting to place myself as a reader into such a cross-cultural frame of mind.

The plot is fairly riveting. It's a book that moves quickly and keeps the reader wanting find out what's going to happen next. There's quite a bit of action and some mystery.

I liked the characters in this book, and I could see myself following them into other stories. I believe the author has written at least one other book related to this same Indian Reservation. This was the first book I read by this author, so I'm not familiar with other works. My one criticism is that I feel the book would have been better if one of the characters was the main character and more developed, probably the Indian girl or the white-man detective.

Some of the situations came close to being a bit over the top, without becoming too unbelievable, so I was able to accept the storyline.

I recommend this book for a good piece of entertainment when you want to read something that keeps your attention and makes you like the characters.

[Dona · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read with an interesting storyline-a Native American tribe, exercising is powers as a sovereign nation, declares war on Peru when inhabitants of the reservation are taken hostage by a group of guerillas. The group soon learns that the Peruvian army is also the enemy. When it becomes clear that the U. S. government will not help, the tribe declares war on Peru and sends in its own team to rescue the hostages. Though a bit fantasical, it is a good read and will have you turning the pages, or swiping your Kindle, to see what happens next.

[gwen graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very best

This was an absolutely amazing story. When I first started reading I thought it might be ok. It was really great and the characters absolutely wonderful.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exciting read for me, hard to put down until finished. A group of Native American college students go to Peru during spring break, are captured by terrorists, escape, are pursued by the Peruvian army, some are killed. The Chairman of the Cold River Reservation declares war on Peru, some U.S. government administrators get in the way, and a group from the reservation is sent to rescue the students. The story is action packed with multiple threats.

[Ana LibrariAna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A contemporary novel about Native Americans. A group of college Native Americans is abducted in Peru... and this is where an emotional and action filled ride begins. A tribe will really do anything to protect one of their own. I was always full of respect for the Native Americans; their way of life, honor, bravery, beliefs, balance with nature...and was again amazed with their strength and honor in a contemporary setting.

[M. Pax · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise of the Native Americans rising and banding together to rescue their people kidnapped in Peru when the US government provides little help. It was an enjoyable read.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/6, Portland, OR. Detective Martin Andrews (Portland PD homicide) got a call to check out an incident at the Nora Westley elementary school.
Shooter confirmed in the school.
Detective Andrews & Officer Terry Gordon were hearing lots of shots.
2 bodies had been noticed.
Officer Gordon opened a door & was shot in the face.
1 little girl was bleeding she had been shot in the leg.

The medics had arrived & were taking Claire to the hospital.
Cordillera Blanca Mountain Range, Peru. Pedro (Quechua Indian guide) was the guide for Professor Carl “Shooter” Bauchman (Carl Twoshoes, Yakama Indian Nation, U of Washington), Tara Eagle (24), Steve (A/A), Robert, Delores TiWee (Bill's daughter, Bluefeather's niece, Lori’s cousin), & Sabrina Gordon on their expedition venture.
Mario (Quechua Indian guide) & Ruppert (Quechua Indian guide) had gone ahead to prepare a meal for the group.
Gretchen had come across a dead female body with no feet.
Someone was firing at the Huey UN-1 helicopter overhead of the group.

It plummeted to the ground & blew up.
Elsewhere, Gretchen & Myoko were enjoying their picnic.
Tara was trying to stop Myoko from bleeding to death.
It was to no avail, she died.
The U.S. Special Forces Drug Eradication team was called in today to inspect/document the wreckage.
There were 3 Quechua Indian bodies.
Cold River Indian Reservation, OR. Chief of Police Martin Andrews (Bureau of Indian Affairs) was watching out the window as the basketball game had just wound down.
Lori agreed to play McGruff at the Longhouse.
Chairman Bluefeathers was enjoying the skit.
The Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path leftist terrorist group) had kidnapped the college students & Professor Bauchman.
Cold River Indian Reservation. Senator Sterling (OR) was meeting with Chairman Bluefeathers,
Chairman Charley Johnson (Mashantucket Pequot), & Chairman Dennis Lenwya (Yakama).
Senor Pedro Robales took care of Steve’s medical needs & gave Martin, Lori, Tara chairman’s granddaughter), Sabrina, & Captain “Hawk” Johnson clothing, & food/supplies.
Robert (Apache Indian) was trying to create a diversion for the group.

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written adventure book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great adventure movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; EBookDaily; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Kathleen (itpdx) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought a copy of this from the author at a local grocery store almost 10 years ago. And then last year he again appeared and I bought the second book in the series, Cold River Resurrection and pushed this up my list. The author, Enes Smith has worked as the Police Chief for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indians of Oregon even though he is not Indian. So his description of the main character, Martin Andrews, starting as the white Police Chief of an Indian reservation has the ring of authenticity. This is an action packed thriller with the killing and kidnapping of American Indian students in Peru as the beginning. This would make a good movie. It is easier for me, at least, to suspend disbelief of actions and characters for a movie than for a book. It is interesting to speculate what Indian sovereignty means and what a tribe declaring war on a foreign country could look like.

[Sukoshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just don’t give five stars but this was worth it. Yes I could find faults such as editing but they were away too small to impact my enjoyment of the story. This story starts out strong and keeps the pace through the entire story. The characters are fully three dimensional and very interesting. At time I thought that the story would go one way and was intrigued at the shift from the author. The bravery of the characters was at times unexpected and very welcome. The twists and turns of the actual campaign to rescue the students was inventive and showcased cooperation over individualism which was a welcome after so many Lee Child type tropes. I got to admit that I even choked up at the ending of the book as I was relived and excited for conclusion of the saga. Well done. Kept me up at night to find out what happened next and never disappointed. After finishing I immediately bought the second book in the series. I may report on that one as well.

[Greykemp · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main thing you need to know about this book applies to almost ALL Kindle Unlimited books.
1. They don't have editors - misspellings, poor grammar, sentences that don't quite mean what the context says should be there.
2. Unlimited authors often find a niche. I believe this one has started another. If you realize you will need a LARGE amount of brain work to fill in what the writer left out. (poor character development) (not enough background to know WHY/HOW some of the characters act/say in ways we didn't expect) then I believe you will be riveted to your seat until you finish.

Others have reviewed the book very well so I won't bother.

It's a fresh idea, not just another clone.

[Michael Mardel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold river rising by Smith. This was not a memorable book in that I hadn't posted a review as soon as I had finished. It begins with gratuitous violence in a school and we get enough of that in the news, even in Australia. Cut to Peru and more killing - older students this time. I don't know much about resentment on the part of Native Americans but I witnessed their poor treatment whilst travelling in Canada in 1976. And we have in-ya-face resentment here as well - both rightly so because the white man forcibly took their land, even declaring it terra nullius here. Some wrongs have been righted but we still have a long way to go.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book and am going to read more of this series. Its a Native American story sort of. A group of students from college some from the reservation go off on a trip to go to Peru. Things start happening to some of the group once there. They are shot at and weren't sure if it was terrorists or just someone who didn't know who they were. It gets real exciting then. They try to get back home later on but they cant . The chief of the Indians and the government go at odds at the ending. Will they get home alive. Not all of them. A great story. A thriller too.

[MELISSA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phew! A perfectly crazy heart pounder.

Native American college students visiting pre-Colombian ruins in Peru are caught in a trumped up terrorist/military war. Chief Bluefeathers, fed up with lack of action by the United States, declares war on Peru and sends people from his “Rez” to rescue the students. First class dialogue, a story told from many points of view, and settings that brought me right in on the action made this a careening, wild thriller. I am on to the next book.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thriller...

One of the reasons I like my kindle is being able to read any kind of book I want. Thru kindle unlimited I have found some great authors, some mediocre & some just ok.
This book was really enjoyable. It takes hold of you and you can't wait to see what's next. The characters are written with just enough detail to make them stand out. The storyline followed thru. I love that he based this book on an Indian reservation. Even a little bit of their culture is rewarding. I'll be hunting more books from Mr. Smith...😄

[Lithezebra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise, the writing, and the pace of this book. My only complaint is that one of the main characters, Tara, a person into whose head we get to see, was mostly passive, while other characters, into whose psyches we had far less insight, decided most of the action. If she wasn't going to do anything, or give insight into other characters, I wish the story had focused on the characters who did act, and how they were deciding and developing.

[Dixie Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

YOU DO NOT want to miss this book!

I can think of only three or four other books that have given me skin tingles and goose bumps -- this one did for the last 10% or so! What an excellent novel! Very compelling and suspenseful, a thrill ride, exceptionally vivid scenes and dialogue, mostly though, wonderful, very easy to identify with characters I wanted to take in my arms through their trials. This is a series I know I'm going to love!

[David Huelsmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story set in Today about Native Americans and rescuing some of their people and eventually others from Peru. While much is a little over the top - The Chairman of the Cold Water Indian Reservation declares war on Peru and closes his borders to the rest of America. It is a good book full of action and as a 73 year old male who "has seen it all", I actually found myself tearing up slightly at the end.

[William P. Daley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantasy, but a satisfying one. The Native Americans win this one. Don't expect a major battle scene, but a group abandoned in the Andes survives is hostile territory, and is rescued threw the cleaver and audacious planning back home. The book recognizes, and uses, both the warrior tradition and the commitment t9 the family (tribe). The author's biography indicates that, as a police officer, he served as the white chief of police for a tribal police force at one time.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, I just couldn't get into this story. Something about it just didn't flow for me. I don't know how far I made it into the story as it doesn't have page numbers just location numbers. I usually try to give a book about 50 pages before I give up on it, but as I was reading this book, I just couldn't keep my brain engaged with the story. I just wanted to to get on and be over. I guess it's just not for me.

[Terry L Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrills, mysteries and action

I loved this story from the beginning. Tribal ways and morals, as well as the people themselves are fleshed out well in limited time in an initial book. And then there is the action that holds the reader, and makes it hard to put the book down. I look forward to the next books in this series.

[Normand Girard · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a chapter or two, I wasn't sure I would like the book - then from chapter 3 onward, things started happening very quickly. Lots of action, high body count, but the author made the death of one of the students really poignant and then I was hooked. Can't wait to read "Cold River Resurrection" next.

[T C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold River is a Page Turner

This is a new author for me and I am a fan. This book was lifelike in its telling and was hard to put down halfway through the book. Why anyone wants to travel in S. America is beyond me. But this author has you riveted to the end.

[Belinda Earl Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lacking a feeling of Native American culture

I would have liked more of a feeling of the Native American culture. The characters were not as well developed as some. The plot was believable.

[Pamela R Kinley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I respected the way the author set up the nation to work for it's people without apology yet try to find the best way to resolve the issue without total catastrophic consequences.

[bex · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 star

Not my usual style--more brutal and terrifying than I go for, not to mention the bad guy POV. But extremely well written and intense. Head hops too much for me so I didn't get to know characters as much as I'd like.

[Dianne Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Natives Shining

By far, one of the most action packed, tension filled books I've read. Characters are strong and carry through this adventure in a singularly personal way. Excellent reading.

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Read

This book was full of action with some romance. It was interesting to see the clashes of different cultures both in the U. S and in South America, all of which have centuries of bloody history. I cheered for the In’dins!

[Jeff Cochrane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Couldn’t get interested

Good premise. Well written. I just couldn’t get involved with any of the characters. Most seemed cardboard and weren’t around long enough to get developed. The high point for me was the McGriff dance, and that wasn’t even a major point of the story.

[Rdr · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had action in it, and the characters were relatable. There was nothing spectacular, in my opinion, about the book. I did like the Native American angle, as they need to be represented more in current literature.