What do you think?
Rate this book
Where They Last Saw Her
From the award-winning author of the Cash Blackbear series, a harrowing novel of a Native American woman who learns of the disappearance of one of her own and decides enough is enough…
All they heard was her scream.
Quill has lived on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota her whole life. She knows what happens to people who look like her. Just a girl when Jimmy Sky jumped off the railway bridge and she ran for help, Quill realizes now that she hasn’t ever stopped running. As she trains for the Boston Marathon early one morning out in the woods, she hears a scream. When she investigates, she finds tire tracks and a lone, beaded earring.
Things are different now for Quill than when she was a lonely girl. Her friends Punk and Gaylyn are two women who don’t know what it means to quit; she has her loving husband, Crow, and two beautiful children who challenge her to be better every day. So when she realizes another woman has been stolen, she is determined to do something—and her first stop is the group of men working the pipeline construction just north of their homes.
As Quill closes in on the truth behind the missing woman in the woods, someone else disappears. In her quest to find justice for the women of the reservation, she is confronted with the hard truths of their home and the people who purport to serve them. When will she stop losing neighbors, friends, family? As Quill puts herself, her family, and everything she’s built on the line to make a difference, the novel asks searing questions about bystander culture, the reverberations of even one act of crime, and the long-lasting trauma of being invisible.
All they heard was her scream.
Quill has lived on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota her whole life. She knows what happens to people who look like her. Just a girl when Jimmy Sky jumped off the railway bridge and she ran for help, Quill realizes now that she hasn’t ever stopped running. As she trains for the Boston Marathon early one morning out in the woods, she hears a scream. When she investigates, she finds tire tracks and a lone, beaded earring.
Things are different now for Quill than when she was a lonely girl. Her friends Punk and Gaylyn are two women who don’t know what it means to quit; she has her loving husband, Crow, and two beautiful children who challenge her to be better every day. So when she realizes another woman has been stolen, she is determined to do something—and her first stop is the group of men working the pipeline construction just north of their homes.
As Quill closes in on the truth behind the missing woman in the woods, someone else disappears. In her quest to find justice for the women of the reservation, she is confronted with the hard truths of their home and the people who purport to serve them. When will she stop losing neighbors, friends, family? As Quill puts herself, her family, and everything she’s built on the line to make a difference, the novel asks searing questions about bystander culture, the reverberations of even one act of crime, and the long-lasting trauma of being invisible.
8 pages, Audiobook
First published September 3, 2024
593 people are currently reading
39656 people want to read
About the author
Marcie R. Rendon
18 books988 followersMarcie R. Rendon is an enrolled member of the White Earth Anishinabe Nation. She is a mother, grandmother, writer, and performance artist. A recipient of the Loft's Inroads Writers of Color Award for Native Americans, she studied under Anishinabe author Jim Northrup. Her first children's book is Pow Wow Summer (Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2014). Murder on the Red River is her debut novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,115 reviews
January 8, 2025
The life of Quill on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota takes a dark turn after she hears a chilling scream during a morning run while training for the Boston Marathon. This story hooks the reader from the start with its urgency and heartbreak.
Quill isn't just a runner; she's a mother and wife, trying to balance her love for her family with the trauma and injustices surrounding her. Her husband, Crow, and their children provide a poignant contrast to the unfolding horrors, grounding her determination with their love and support. This contrast strengthens Quill’s resolve to investigate the pipeline workers, as she is driven by a fierce need to protect her loved ones and her community.
The narrative skillfully blends past and present, shedding light on the historical and ongoing struggles of Native American women. Quill’s mission to uncover the truth behind the disappearances is not just a personal quest but a collective fight against a culture of silence and oppression. The novel's depiction of these women’s plights is both heart-wrenching and illuminating, showcasing the deep-seated issues within their society.
Quill’s character is beautifully complex. Her connection to her Anishinaabe heritage and her struggle to navigate her identity within it is relatable and deeply moving. She embodies resilience and determination, making her a protagonist worth rooting for. Crow’s unwavering support adds a layer of warmth to the narrative, emphasizing the strength found in family bonds.
As Quill delves deeper into the mystery, the suspense builds relentlessly. Each revelation brings her closer to a dangerous truth, raising important questions about bystander culture and the long-lasting trauma inflicted on marginalized communities. The story’s dark undertones and unflinching portrayal of violence against Native American women make it a compelling read.
Overall, this novel is a dark, captivating read that sheds light on critical social issues while delivering a gripping mystery. Its emotional depth and relentless suspense keep readers hooked until the very end. It’s a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of Native American women and a call to acknowledge and address the injustices they face. This book is a must-read for those looking to be both educated and profoundly moved.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for sharing this fascinating reading' s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium.com
instagram
facebook
twitter<
Quill isn't just a runner; she's a mother and wife, trying to balance her love for her family with the trauma and injustices surrounding her. Her husband, Crow, and their children provide a poignant contrast to the unfolding horrors, grounding her determination with their love and support. This contrast strengthens Quill’s resolve to investigate the pipeline workers, as she is driven by a fierce need to protect her loved ones and her community.
The narrative skillfully blends past and present, shedding light on the historical and ongoing struggles of Native American women. Quill’s mission to uncover the truth behind the disappearances is not just a personal quest but a collective fight against a culture of silence and oppression. The novel's depiction of these women’s plights is both heart-wrenching and illuminating, showcasing the deep-seated issues within their society.
Quill’s character is beautifully complex. Her connection to her Anishinaabe heritage and her struggle to navigate her identity within it is relatable and deeply moving. She embodies resilience and determination, making her a protagonist worth rooting for. Crow’s unwavering support adds a layer of warmth to the narrative, emphasizing the strength found in family bonds.
As Quill delves deeper into the mystery, the suspense builds relentlessly. Each revelation brings her closer to a dangerous truth, raising important questions about bystander culture and the long-lasting trauma inflicted on marginalized communities. The story’s dark undertones and unflinching portrayal of violence against Native American women make it a compelling read.
Overall, this novel is a dark, captivating read that sheds light on critical social issues while delivering a gripping mystery. Its emotional depth and relentless suspense keep readers hooked until the very end. It’s a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of Native American women and a call to acknowledge and address the injustices they face. This book is a must-read for those looking to be both educated and profoundly moved.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam for sharing this fascinating reading' s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange of my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium.com
twitter<
March 19, 2025
This made me so angry. It shouldn't come as a surprise that there are thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and that nearly nothing is being done about it.
Quill and Crow are married with two young children. Quill is a runner. One day, she runs through the woods and hears a scream. As one does, she runs in that direction. She finds nothing, but a small beaded earring. As everyone on the reservation knows each other, she immediately knows who made the earring. Instead of calling the police or doing anything useful, she pockets the earring.
Crow doesn't like this individualistic behavior. He's not an asshole. Quill is just being stupid. He asks her to not run alone, which I think is fair. She begins running with two friends, Punk and Gaylyn. Everyone has their own problems, and yes, we can blame this generation trauma on stolen land and white people. Punk falls in love, easily and fast. It's a red flag. Gaylyn works at the casino, taking care of her mother and siblings. Her father is addicted to meth, and looks like an abuser.
Back to the earring Quill is carrying around. It belongs to a young, missing Indigenous woman. The tribal police aren't taking it seriously. No one is taking it seriously. There's a lot of back and forth at the casino. Two other women are drugged. One goes missing. The culprits are white men from man camps that have popped up in the area to house mining workers. So there is exploitation of land and women.
It's easy to blame white men for this predicament, and I'm not backing off of this topic, but at times, the culprit is a little closer to home. I'm not here to spoil anything. While I wasn't surprised at the colluder, as they instantly looked like 29837492374234 red flags, it may still surprise you.
A must read. I'll be looking at the rest of the author's catalog.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam
Quill and Crow are married with two young children. Quill is a runner. One day, she runs through the woods and hears a scream. As one does, she runs in that direction. She finds nothing, but a small beaded earring. As everyone on the reservation knows each other, she immediately knows who made the earring. Instead of calling the police or doing anything useful, she pockets the earring.
Crow doesn't like this individualistic behavior. He's not an asshole. Quill is just being stupid. He asks her to not run alone, which I think is fair. She begins running with two friends, Punk and Gaylyn. Everyone has their own problems, and yes, we can blame this generation trauma on stolen land and white people. Punk falls in love, easily and fast. It's a red flag. Gaylyn works at the casino, taking care of her mother and siblings. Her father is addicted to meth, and looks like an abuser.
Back to the earring Quill is carrying around. It belongs to a young, missing Indigenous woman. The tribal police aren't taking it seriously. No one is taking it seriously. There's a lot of back and forth at the casino. Two other women are drugged. One goes missing. The culprits are white men from man camps that have popped up in the area to house mining workers. So there is exploitation of land and women.
It's easy to blame white men for this predicament, and I'm not backing off of this topic, but at times, the culprit is a little closer to home. I'm not here to spoil anything. While I wasn't surprised at the colluder, as they instantly looked like 29837492374234 red flags, it may still surprise you.
A must read. I'll be looking at the rest of the author's catalog.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam
October 5, 2024
Quill is a young Native American wife and mother training to run the Boston Marathon. While running in the woods a few miles from the Red Pine Reservation near Duluth MN Quill hears a young woman's ear piercing scream. Only to find out later that a young Native American woman has gone missing probably at the hands of men from the man camps, men working on building the oil pipeline. Quill then takes matters into her own hands and tries to find the missing woman on her own at the risk of her own life and marriage. Should Quill have turned the matter over to the police before Quill gets herself and family and friends into trouble maybe but I understand her passion. If you read William Kent Krueger you may enjoy Marcie R. Rendon. And Thank You to Marcie R. Rendon for bringing attention to the problem of murdered and missing indigenous women. Which has been an ongoing problem for a long time. Loved this book and plan on reading more of Marcie R. Rendon's work. Five stars.
September 13, 2024
Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie Rendon is a hard book for me to review, so I’m going to split it into a list of what I liked and disliked.
Quick summary: Quill is an Indigenous woman who has lived on the Red Pine reservation her entire life. She’s married to a great man, and together they have two small children. She has a passion for running, and is training for the Boston Marathon with two of her close friends. But one day on a run, she hears a scream in the woods and from that day forward, she finds herself falling deeper into a dark conspiracy happening on the reservation.
Likes:
- We need more books by Native American women to hit the mainstream, and this one has a lot of the marks to do that. Rendon writes about the disappearances of Indigenous women, a topic people are often ignorant of or simply don’t know enough about. I am glad this book exists.
- While I didn’t find Quill likable, I feel like she was a well-developed character who found herself in a really difficult situation. Her choices sometimes bothered me, but they made sense for her character in those moments.
- Some readers may dislike this, but I love that Rendon sprinkled a lot of Ojibwe words/phrases into the story. The context is there to figure out the meaning, and it truly centers the community this book represents.
- Rendon knows the story she’s telling and is not afraid of showing how dark it is. She does not hold back, and I appreciate that.
Dislikes:
- This is almost all telling rather than showing, and it really makes the book feel dry. The writing is quite simplistic: person does this, then this, then this. There is very little attempt to show this world to us.
- There is so much superfluous information. I tested to see it I could skip big chunks of chapters and still understand what was going on, and yup, it was easy to find spots in the book that were skippable because they added nothing to the plot or characters. I would go back & read the sections I skipped just to be sure I hadn’t missed anything - nope, just unnecessary paragraphs of telling.
- Random PSAs. Yes, this topic is of massive importance but there is a way of showing that through craft that does not involve the characters delivering lines about MMIW without it feeling as if they are speaking to an audience. It made several sections feel inauthentic because characters seemed to be breaking the third wall and talking to readers rather than the other characters.
Overall, I’m glad I read this and I hope more people pick it up. While it has its issues (in my opinion), the actual story is really compelling and one that needs to be told.
Quick summary: Quill is an Indigenous woman who has lived on the Red Pine reservation her entire life. She’s married to a great man, and together they have two small children. She has a passion for running, and is training for the Boston Marathon with two of her close friends. But one day on a run, she hears a scream in the woods and from that day forward, she finds herself falling deeper into a dark conspiracy happening on the reservation.
Likes:
- We need more books by Native American women to hit the mainstream, and this one has a lot of the marks to do that. Rendon writes about the disappearances of Indigenous women, a topic people are often ignorant of or simply don’t know enough about. I am glad this book exists.
- While I didn’t find Quill likable, I feel like she was a well-developed character who found herself in a really difficult situation. Her choices sometimes bothered me, but they made sense for her character in those moments.
- Some readers may dislike this, but I love that Rendon sprinkled a lot of Ojibwe words/phrases into the story. The context is there to figure out the meaning, and it truly centers the community this book represents.
- Rendon knows the story she’s telling and is not afraid of showing how dark it is. She does not hold back, and I appreciate that.
Dislikes:
- This is almost all telling rather than showing, and it really makes the book feel dry. The writing is quite simplistic: person does this, then this, then this. There is very little attempt to show this world to us.
- There is so much superfluous information. I tested to see it I could skip big chunks of chapters and still understand what was going on, and yup, it was easy to find spots in the book that were skippable because they added nothing to the plot or characters. I would go back & read the sections I skipped just to be sure I hadn’t missed anything - nope, just unnecessary paragraphs of telling.
- Random PSAs. Yes, this topic is of massive importance but there is a way of showing that through craft that does not involve the characters delivering lines about MMIW without it feeling as if they are speaking to an audience. It made several sections feel inauthentic because characters seemed to be breaking the third wall and talking to readers rather than the other characters.
Overall, I’m glad I read this and I hope more people pick it up. While it has its issues (in my opinion), the actual story is really compelling and one that needs to be told.
September 4, 2024
e-ARC from NetGalley.
I really wanted to like this one. Not only is it a mystery/thriller with an interesting premise, but it is based on the very real epidemic of indigenous women going missing at an absurdly high rate, never to be seen again.
It got off to a great start. Our protagonist, Quill, is out for a run when she hears a woman's terrified scream. When the officers sent to investigate don't even drive to the crime scene, Quill decides she needs to take matters into her own hands.
From there, it quickly deteriorated. The writing, for one, was hard to jive with and needed to be pared down: I didn't need to know the history of Crow's pickup, the details of Quill adding this or that to a pot of stew did not need to occur in multiple scenes, and I don't understand why we got the back and forth of Baby Boy watching TV and then interrupting a conversation and then being put back in front of the television when a simple "in between interruptions" would have sufficed.
I struggled to connect with the characters, even when attempting to look past the writing. Punk seemed more a stereotype than a person, and every scene with Gaylynn ended with her saying she was going to be late for work. But it was Quill who really pushed me into "I actively dislike this" territory.
At no point does this woman make a smart decision. She never calls the cops. She routinely lies to her husband. She knowingly brings her children into dangerous situations. She ignores all of her best friend's texts and doesn't even notice when said best friend goes missing. She doesn't lock her doors when she's driving somewhere dangerous.
I'm always on the hunt for books about indigenous people written by indigenous authors, but this was not for me.
I bet my grandma'd like it, though.
I really wanted to like this one. Not only is it a mystery/thriller with an interesting premise, but it is based on the very real epidemic of indigenous women going missing at an absurdly high rate, never to be seen again.
It got off to a great start. Our protagonist, Quill, is out for a run when she hears a woman's terrified scream. When the officers sent to investigate don't even drive to the crime scene, Quill decides she needs to take matters into her own hands.
From there, it quickly deteriorated. The writing, for one, was hard to jive with and needed to be pared down: I didn't need to know the history of Crow's pickup, the details of Quill adding this or that to a pot of stew did not need to occur in multiple scenes, and I don't understand why we got the back and forth of Baby Boy watching TV and then interrupting a conversation and then being put back in front of the television when a simple "in between interruptions" would have sufficed.
I struggled to connect with the characters, even when attempting to look past the writing. Punk seemed more a stereotype than a person, and every scene with Gaylynn ended with her saying she was going to be late for work. But it was Quill who really pushed me into "I actively dislike this" territory.
At no point does this woman make a smart decision. She never calls the cops. She routinely lies to her husband. She knowingly brings her children into dangerous situations. She ignores all of her best friend's texts and doesn't even notice when said best friend goes missing. She doesn't lock her doors when she's driving somewhere dangerous.
I'm always on the hunt for books about indigenous people written by indigenous authors, but this was not for me.
I bet my grandma'd like it, though.
May 16, 2025
Marcie R. Rendon, never stop bringing attention to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women through your writing, please and thank you.
Where They Last Saw Her feels a lot like the Cash Blackbear series. Obviously, since it's by the same author, there would be similarities, and I feel like Cash and Quill are somewhat alike as characters.
They have the same sense of justice and the need to see the people they care about safe. And Quill's rescue mission reminded me of one of Cash's, but the stories were different.
I found this to be a compelling listen, I finished it even sooner than I had planned, because I needed to know what would happen next.
The storyline is interesting, and works as a standalone (no loose ends to tie up). I'd probably recommend this to people who are new to Rendon sooner than the Cash series, because, well, there's only one book, and because I think Quill might resonate with them more. But Cash is still my favourite.
Where They Last Saw Her feels a lot like the Cash Blackbear series. Obviously, since it's by the same author, there would be similarities, and I feel like Cash and Quill are somewhat alike as characters.
They have the same sense of justice and the need to see the people they care about safe. And Quill's rescue mission reminded me of one of Cash's, but the stories were different.
I found this to be a compelling listen, I finished it even sooner than I had planned, because I needed to know what would happen next.
The storyline is interesting, and works as a standalone (no loose ends to tie up). I'd probably recommend this to people who are new to Rendon sooner than the Cash series, because, well, there's only one book, and because I think Quill might resonate with them more. But Cash is still my favourite.
September 21, 2024
I really wanted to like this as I love Rendon’s Cash Blackbear series. But this seemed like it was written by someone else entirely—lack of varied sentence structure, stilted and very unrealistic dialogue, and I had the “twist” figured out immediately, no guesswork needed. I actually looked several times to see if maybe it was written for a younger audience because the writing was so…boring and simple.
Anytime awareness can be brought to the cause of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) is crucial, so I wanted to read it, but I don’t know that I would recommend it to anyone.
Anytime awareness can be brought to the cause of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) is crucial, so I wanted to read it, but I don’t know that I would recommend it to anyone.
January 20, 2025
A powerful, emotional novel set on a reservation in Minnesota.
This is the 2nd novel I have read in the last 10 days centered around missing Native American women. It's a crushing fact and truly horrific. Marcie Rendon brings this social issue to life with an amazing, yet frustrating, protagonist, Quill. She is supported by amazing friends, an awesome husband and a fantastic community who gives her nearly unwavering support.
The characters truly came alive, a sign of a fantastic story teller.
This is the 2nd novel I have read in the last 10 days centered around missing Native American women. It's a crushing fact and truly horrific. Marcie Rendon brings this social issue to life with an amazing, yet frustrating, protagonist, Quill. She is supported by amazing friends, an awesome husband and a fantastic community who gives her nearly unwavering support.
The characters truly came alive, a sign of a fantastic story teller.
August 30, 2024
Quill is running her usual route through the woods one afternoon when she hears a single ear-piercing scream. Convinced it was the scream of a woman, she senses danger and grows increasingly concerned over the following days. Alongside this unsettling event are groups of unruly, brute men arriving to town to work the pipeline. Quill’s small town of Red Pine—where everyone knows everyone—is beginning to feel more and more unsafe.
As concerned as she is about recent events, she’s also angry. She’s tired of the kidnapped and trafficked, the missing and murdered Indigenous women. It’s all happening on her land and she’s determined to protect it and bring justice to the women who are so easily forgotten by those outside of the reservation.
Where They Last Saw Her is rich with Native American history as well as the present day turmoils they face. In a way that’s difficult for me to explain, this feels like one of the most touching and affective Native American novels that I have read; one of the most heart-breaking renditions of the epidemic their women—and by extension, their men and families—face. The storytelling is superb and kept me invested the whole way through; never once loosening its grip on me. At times, however, Quill’s thoughtless actions drove me nuts—though she was a woman on a mission so who can blame her?—and the writing started to fall apart a little towards the end.
Overall, this strikes me as a profound Native story that will capture readers attention with its relentless suspense and headstrong MC. The atmosphere is *chefs kiss*; a story that I could feel myself in.
Thank you Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Available 09/03/2024!
As concerned as she is about recent events, she’s also angry. She’s tired of the kidnapped and trafficked, the missing and murdered Indigenous women. It’s all happening on her land and she’s determined to protect it and bring justice to the women who are so easily forgotten by those outside of the reservation.
Where They Last Saw Her is rich with Native American history as well as the present day turmoils they face. In a way that’s difficult for me to explain, this feels like one of the most touching and affective Native American novels that I have read; one of the most heart-breaking renditions of the epidemic their women—and by extension, their men and families—face. The storytelling is superb and kept me invested the whole way through; never once loosening its grip on me. At times, however, Quill’s thoughtless actions drove me nuts—though she was a woman on a mission so who can blame her?—and the writing started to fall apart a little towards the end.
Overall, this strikes me as a profound Native story that will capture readers attention with its relentless suspense and headstrong MC. The atmosphere is *chefs kiss*; a story that I could feel myself in.
Thank you Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review. Available 09/03/2024!
September 3, 2024
Quill did not quit - and I loved her for it.
She showed up. For the women who needed her. Those missing, those lost.
Her daughter bears witness- does she even have the luxury of innocence? No. It terrifies her. But this is her mother's, the women's legacy- bear witness for the lost women.
So well written.
She showed up. For the women who needed her. Those missing, those lost.
Her daughter bears witness- does she even have the luxury of innocence? No. It terrifies her. But this is her mother's, the women's legacy- bear witness for the lost women.
So well written.
December 3, 2024
3.75 stars
I love the Cash Blackbear series from this author so I was excited to see this standalone book. It is a slow burn mystery following Quill as she attempts to figure out what is happening to some of the women who are going missing from her reservation. It is heartbreaking and dark at times, but really beautifully done.
Watch my full review here: https://youtu.be/ToLncxi7oT0
I love the Cash Blackbear series from this author so I was excited to see this standalone book. It is a slow burn mystery following Quill as she attempts to figure out what is happening to some of the women who are going missing from her reservation. It is heartbreaking and dark at times, but really beautifully done.
Watch my full review here: https://youtu.be/ToLncxi7oT0
April 20, 2024
I love this author and her books. I mistakenly thought this was another book in the Cash Blackbear series. I quickly realized it was not. However, if you enjoy the Cash Blackbear books, you’ll enjoy this. Quill, the protagonist of this story, is so unlike Cash. Yet, both protagonists are strong indigenous women who solve crimes and save lives. I loved Quill just as much as I loved Cash. Quill’s friends and family are all very likable characters as well. I liked that Quill was not a very young woman and that she had a husband & children. This is more of a plot-driven book. I tend to be a character-driven reader but I really enjoyed the plot and the action. There was a lot of action and it was fast-paced but it worked for me. Besides, I think the characters in this story are fleshed-out and compelling. This book (and the Cash Blackbear books) raise awareness about a major issue in this country: the kidnapping of indigenous women and children. Unfortunately, this issue does not garner the aid and attention it deserves (and desperately needs). That’s why books like this one are so important. I hope everyone reads this book and/or any of the author’s other books. I can’t wait for the next one!
July 15, 2025
i will forever recommend this book to everyone all the time
November 18, 2024
2.5 stars - Mystery/Thriller
I wish I could rate this 5 stars because the subject matter is so important. Unfortunately, the writing was a bit amateurish, and the main character, Quill, drove me crazy with her TSTL actions.
But I still give high praise to the author for writing a story about the kidnapping and trafficking of indigenous women because it's a silent crisis. The extractive oil industry and its man camps have caused a massive rise in the abuse, rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, and sex trafficking of indigenous women over the last decade. Please research and read about it. #MMIW #MMIWG
I wish I could rate this 5 stars because the subject matter is so important. Unfortunately, the writing was a bit amateurish, and the main character, Quill, drove me crazy with her TSTL actions.
But I still give high praise to the author for writing a story about the kidnapping and trafficking of indigenous women because it's a silent crisis. The extractive oil industry and its man camps have caused a massive rise in the abuse, rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, and sex trafficking of indigenous women over the last decade. Please research and read about it. #MMIW #MMIWG
September 20, 2024
A heart wrenching and powerful read.
August 26, 2024
Quill is a Native American woman who is tired of seeing women go missing on and around the reservation. She is scared for her life and her friends and family. She’s not a person to take it lying down. She starts investigating the missing women and discovers shocking things.
This was an interesting story and had me quickly flipping the pages. Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this eARC that will be released September 3, 2024!
This was an interesting story and had me quickly flipping the pages. Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this eARC that will be released September 3, 2024!
September 3, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! It's a powerful story about Quill, wife and mother on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota who is determined to investigate the disappearances of Indigenous women. It addresses the facts that you hear all too often regarding missing and/or murdered Indigenous women throughout North America. It also addresses (to a lesser extent) environmental issues (in this case the oil pipeline) and the 'man-camps' often associated with pipeline workers. It's about the grave injustices and lasting trauma of what some perceive as an invisible culture. This type of story sickens me yet I think it's so important to know about them and Marcie Rendon makes them readable as they are embedded within an engaging mystery. I felt like this could be the first book in a series but when I investigated, I didn't see any mention of that possibility at this time. However, I saw that Rendon has written a 3 book (soon to be 4 I believe) Native crime series called Cash Blackbear Mysteries. I'll definitely be looking into those!
June 2, 2024
Compelling, propulsively written, and extremely important. I couldn't put this book down. It's certainly not light reading, so content warnings for violence against women, but it's handled with respect and doesn't feel exploitative in the way some other books in this genre might. I'm glad I received an advance copy of this book and highly recommend it.
Want to read
May 29, 2024ARC received! Thank you so much, Bantam!
This sounds all kinds of incredible. I can't wait to dive into what is sure to be a harrowing and beautiful story!
This sounds all kinds of incredible. I can't wait to dive into what is sure to be a harrowing and beautiful story!
September 10, 2024
Oof I feel super heartless, but I really did not enjoy this book. I was drawn in by the subject matter and that aspect of the story is what kept me going as it is super under-represented in fiction and super important. I appreciated that the author herself is Native American and included many tidbits about the culture, traditions, and depth to the setting.
That being said, Quill frustrated me to no end. I appreciated and empathized with her drive and tenacity, but the way she continuously put herself in incredibly dangerous situations started to wear on me after her husband BEGGED her not to. It didn’t feel fearless or brave after a certain extent, it felt stubborn and stupid. Her friends and family deserved justice, but no in the way of her sacrificing herself for them. Her motherhood choices were especially tough for me as she kept dragging her son around to dangerous situations too!
I know that this book was meant to represent the reality of life, but the writing itself was also choppy and confusing. The pacing seemed erratic and repetitive and there were so many random details that kept coming up that didn’t feel important to the story. I think this author’s writing style might be better suited for shorter pieces of work?
All to say, I know how important the content is and I’m still glad I read this because of that. It does get very very dark and bleak, but I don’t feel comfortable critiquing those events as they were inspired by real-life stories that are just as dark and just as bleak so it feels like whining about that would be in super poor taste. But be aware of the content warnings and maybe don’t pick this one up if you’re not in the headspace for it!
That being said, Quill frustrated me to no end. I appreciated and empathized with her drive and tenacity, but the way she continuously put herself in incredibly dangerous situations started to wear on me after her husband BEGGED her not to. It didn’t feel fearless or brave after a certain extent, it felt stubborn and stupid. Her friends and family deserved justice, but no in the way of her sacrificing herself for them. Her motherhood choices were especially tough for me as she kept dragging her son around to dangerous situations too!
I know that this book was meant to represent the reality of life, but the writing itself was also choppy and confusing. The pacing seemed erratic and repetitive and there were so many random details that kept coming up that didn’t feel important to the story. I think this author’s writing style might be better suited for shorter pieces of work?
All to say, I know how important the content is and I’m still glad I read this because of that. It does get very very dark and bleak, but I don’t feel comfortable critiquing those events as they were inspired by real-life stories that are just as dark and just as bleak so it feels like whining about that would be in super poor taste. But be aware of the content warnings and maybe don’t pick this one up if you’re not in the headspace for it!
September 17, 2024
The stories of MMIW are so important to share, and absolutely heartbreaking that it’s gone on this long.
That said, this book was slow to get to the meat of it, and the characters were infuriating. FMC Quill puts everyone she loves in wildly precarious positions for literally no reason. I get not trusting the police, but to not notice your BFF is missing and to take your kid into those situations is not ok - especially when she has a supportive, loving, and strong partner.
All in, I can’t recommend this one.
That said, this book was slow to get to the meat of it, and the characters were infuriating. FMC Quill puts everyone she loves in wildly precarious positions for literally no reason. I get not trusting the police, but to not notice your BFF is missing and to take your kid into those situations is not ok - especially when she has a supportive, loving, and strong partner.
All in, I can’t recommend this one.
September 7, 2024
4.5 rounded up!
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
Huge thanks to #partner @prhaudio for my #gifted early copy.
Where They Last Saw Her
Marcie R. Rendon
Narrated by Erin Tripp
📖 Quill, an Indigenous woman of the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota, is training for the Boston Marathon. On one of her runs, she hears what sounds like a woman's scream. Knowing what she knows about her fellow Native American women — that thousands go missing every year — she's unable to move on until she knows the source of that scream. When others in her community are victimized, Quill doubles down on her efforts to uncover the perpetrator(s). With the help of her husband, Crow, and her two friends and running partners, Punk and Gaylyn, Quill risks her life to put a stop to the violence and exploitation that's ravaging her community.
💭 Wow! What a book! Where They Last Saw Her is suspenseful, heart-wrenching, and important! Quill is a courageous and admirable protagonist; Rendon really allows readers to get to know her — the mother, the wife, the friend, the Ojibwe woman — resulting in a level of investment I don't often find in books of this genre. Though this is a fictional story, it urgently draws attention to the very real-life epidemic of missing, exploited, and murdered Indigenous girls and women. Through make-believe events and characters, Rendon examines Native communities' experiences — both past and present — with mistreatment, neglect, oppression and injustice. This is a crucially important read!
🎧 The audiobook is narrated by talented actor Erin Tripp, who really conveys the emotions and personalities of the characters. Though Tripp isn't Ojibwe (she's Tlingit of Southeast Alaska), I really appreciate the casting choice of an Indigenous voice actor. If you're an audiobooker, I'd highly recommend this format. If not, grab it in print or ebook. Either way, you won't be disappointed!
📌 Available now!
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
Huge thanks to #partner @prhaudio for my #gifted early copy.
Where They Last Saw Her
Marcie R. Rendon
Narrated by Erin Tripp
📖 Quill, an Indigenous woman of the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota, is training for the Boston Marathon. On one of her runs, she hears what sounds like a woman's scream. Knowing what she knows about her fellow Native American women — that thousands go missing every year — she's unable to move on until she knows the source of that scream. When others in her community are victimized, Quill doubles down on her efforts to uncover the perpetrator(s). With the help of her husband, Crow, and her two friends and running partners, Punk and Gaylyn, Quill risks her life to put a stop to the violence and exploitation that's ravaging her community.
💭 Wow! What a book! Where They Last Saw Her is suspenseful, heart-wrenching, and important! Quill is a courageous and admirable protagonist; Rendon really allows readers to get to know her — the mother, the wife, the friend, the Ojibwe woman — resulting in a level of investment I don't often find in books of this genre. Though this is a fictional story, it urgently draws attention to the very real-life epidemic of missing, exploited, and murdered Indigenous girls and women. Through make-believe events and characters, Rendon examines Native communities' experiences — both past and present — with mistreatment, neglect, oppression and injustice. This is a crucially important read!
🎧 The audiobook is narrated by talented actor Erin Tripp, who really conveys the emotions and personalities of the characters. Though Tripp isn't Ojibwe (she's Tlingit of Southeast Alaska), I really appreciate the casting choice of an Indigenous voice actor. If you're an audiobooker, I'd highly recommend this format. If not, grab it in print or ebook. Either way, you won't be disappointed!
📌 Available now!
September 5, 2024
The abuse of indigenous women and children is given a fresh approach by Marcie Rendon, herself a member of the White Earth Nation. This therefore is a subject close to her heart, a fact that is evident on every page. Quill, a loving wife and mother who has lived on the Rez her entire life, finds herself involved in the disappearance of one young woman, causing her to be more alert than ever while on the trail training for the Boston Marathon. Tribal ties, conditions and traditions are brought to light but this is definitely a novel of the current day, given the consistent texting between the characters and seemingly unending cups of coffee. I definitely plan on reading her earlier books.
dnf
September 30, 2024DNF after 15 minutes. In a work of fiction, laying out all the issues—repeatedly— in the opening couple of chapters is not the most persuasive, entertaining, or emotionally compelling way to approach things, no matter how important the topic. Particularly in what’s meant to be a mystery.
January 4, 2026
This made me sad and angry, 4.4 ⭐ audiobook.
October 17, 2024
Quill's life on the Red Pine Reservation changes forever when she hears a bloodcurdling scream while out for a run in the woods. When another woman disappears, Quill believes that the disappearances cannot be coincidences and decides to investigate on her own, as the tribal police have not been able to uncover the mystery.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book and the fact that it brought to life the horrors that indigenous women often face. These are stories that need to be told. I loved the strong woman characters. However, I feel that the execution was lacking. Even though this book covered some very heavy subjects, I felt like the writing style was a bit juvenile and simplistic. There was too much telling and not enough showing, as my college writing professor would say (except when it came to the descriptions of the running suits-goodness gracious do we really need to know that much detail about them?). At times, the writing felt unorganized, which made the story feel a bit disjointed and chaotic. It was also a bit predictable and I figured out the major twist fairly early on.
All that said, however, I am glad I read this book and it kept me interested. I'm thankful that NetGalley, the author, and the publisher gave me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book and the fact that it brought to life the horrors that indigenous women often face. These are stories that need to be told. I loved the strong woman characters. However, I feel that the execution was lacking. Even though this book covered some very heavy subjects, I felt like the writing style was a bit juvenile and simplistic. There was too much telling and not enough showing, as my college writing professor would say (except when it came to the descriptions of the running suits-goodness gracious do we really need to know that much detail about them?). At times, the writing felt unorganized, which made the story feel a bit disjointed and chaotic. It was also a bit predictable and I figured out the major twist fairly early on.
All that said, however, I am glad I read this book and it kept me interested. I'm thankful that NetGalley, the author, and the publisher gave me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
November 6, 2024
4.25 stars - fast paced, high stakes, action packed, and will make you feel something! Definitely recommend
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFcKjKBL/
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFcKjKBL/
July 3, 2025
Mai rec
June 19, 2024
Quill loves her family and is happy. She learns that several woman in the area have gone missing and she decided to do some investigating. This book kept me guessing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,115 reviews