Wisdom Corner: A Novel

by David Heska Wanbli Weiden

Wisdom Corner has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Indigenous, Contemporary, Native American

Audible Audio

Expected publication July 7, 2026

About the author

David Heska Wanbli Weiden, an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota nation, is the author of Wisdom Corner (Ecco, 2026). His first novel Winter Counts (Ecco, 2020), was nominated for an Edgar Award and was the winner of the Anthony, Thriller, Lefty, Barry, Macavity, Spur, High Plains, Tillie Olsen, CrimeFest (UK), and Crime Fiction Lover (UK) Awards. The novel was a New York Times Editors’ Choice, an Indie Next pick, main selection of the Book of the Month Club, and named a Best Book of the year by NPR, Amazon, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, The Guardian, and other magazines. The novel is included in Time magazine’s list of the 100 best mystery and thriller novels of all time. He received the PEN America Writing for Justice Fellowship and is the recipient of fellowships and residencies from MacDowell, Ucross, Sewanee, and Tin House. A professor of English and Native American & Indigenous Studies at Stony Brook University, he lives in New York and Colorado with his family.

Reviews

[Lila]

I'm glad we'll be seeing Virgil again.

[Kelly]

I can't wait!!!

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Wisdom Corner. The author's descriptive writing brought the reservation to life, making it easy to picture the setting and connect with the characters' experiences. I especially appreciated how Indigenous history and contemporary issues were woven into the story in a meaningful and educational way. It added depth and authenticity to the narrative.

The main reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that some of the events felt rushed. Certain plot developments happened so quickly that I didn't have enough time to fully absorb their impact or see them explored in greater detail. Even so, the story was engaging, thought-provoking, and well worth reading.

[Leah]

I can't wait!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wisdom Corner by David Heska Wanbli Weiden — 4 stars

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Weiden does something genuinely valuable in Wisdom Corner – he immerses you in the world of the Rosebud Indian Reservation in a way that feels authentic and richly informed. The Native American history and cultural context woven throughout the novel was, for me, the real heart of the book. I found myself genuinely engaged and learning, and that educational layer elevated the story in a meaningful way.

Where the book fell a little short for me was in the plotting. Some conflicts and tensions that had been carefully built up felt like they were wrapped up a bit too quickly or neatly, which undercut the weight of what came before. At times it gave the narrative a slightly lighter feel than the subject matter deserved. I wanted to sit with the complexity a bit longer.

Still, Weiden is a talented storyteller, and I can see why he has earned such a devoted readership. This is a solid four-star read, especially for anyone interested in stories that challenge and expand your perspective on contemporary Native American life.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Virgil has walked away from his informal job as a vigilante-for-hire, but trouble is brewing on the reservation, including (but not limited to) corrupt politics and the murder of the town's medicine man. A companion novel to Weiden's debut novel Winter Counts, Wisdom Corner is a fast-paced and enticing Indigenous thriller that kept me invested from start to finish! I was also so glad to see more of Virgil, and his family & friends-- I love how integral the whole community is to the narrative. I don't read a lot of thrillers or mysteries, but Weiden has quickly won me over as an auto-read author.

[Anna Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ecco and NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: July 7, 2026

Virgil Wounded Horse is SO BACK! Based on how “Winter Counts” ended I was anticipating a story about missing Native women, however we’re immediately thrown back into the world of vigilante justice, a broken tribal criminal justice system, “rez” gang activity, and the dark underbelly of politics. We also get a heartbreaking look at the generational trauma of residential schools, one of the darkest parts of North American history in my mind, and I hope that aspect of the book brings about a lot of discussion. I certainly learned a lot.

The character development in “Winter Counts” was so strong it felt easy to dive right back into Virgil’s world in “Wisdom Corner,” I was already rooting for him, Marie, and Nathan from the outset. I love how Weiden provides a full spectrum of morally grey characters… and yet I still can’t help but enjoy and root for basically all of them! I’m 100% a Virgil apologist at this point, even if and when he breaks bad. He never misses in the heat of the moment, and he’s truly a master class in de-escalation any time he’s outnumbered, which is almost always! I enjoyed getting to see him in a father-like role to Nathan in this installment.

Also of note is the immersion into rez life that Weiden gives readers a peak into. Feelings of isolation, hopelessness, and marginalization abound, as does an undercurrent of strong family and community ties. He doesn’t shy away from showcasing the impacts of history - the alcoholism and substance use, the inadequate health services and underfunded institutions. The unfairness of it all, and how each character has responded to it and shaped their life and choices around it, is rife with important opportunities for reflection and discussion. I continue to be a fan of Weiden’s writing, and while this is only my second foray into the Indigenous crime genre I will read as many Virgil stories as he wants to give us!

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

“(Virgil) was the reservation’s vigilante- the guy you hired when you couldn’t get justice from the courts or the tribal council…I made a promise to the Creator…I’d try to help people in other ways-get on the Good Red Road…” He was encouraged by his spiritual adviser, Jerome Iron Shell, healer and medicine man, to change his ways.

“...the Indian way. We know it takes time to build something that matters…we’ve always judged a person’s wealth by how much they give away, not how much they keep.” These values were held dear by Virgil’s girlfriend Marie who was running for Tribal Council Representative. Her opponent was the incumbent Mitch Gagnon. Gagnon had a reputation for playing dirty…was rumored to have gotten kickbacks for his dealings.

Jerome Iron Shell was a member of an Indigenous group working to reclaim land that was illegally transferred. As a former student of an Indian Boarding School, and along with his status in the Lakota community, he organized a Ghost Dance around a Land Project site. The Spirit Dance would not take place. The Sicangu Sioux community was devastated to learn of the violent attack on Jerome. Virgil vowed to get involved and solve Jerome’s murder and seek Native justice.

Virgil’s quest for justice intensified by the revelation that many children who died at the boarding school Jerome attended, as a child, had not been repatriated to the Rosebud Reservation. The whereabouts of Virgil’s auntie remained unknown. “The dispute over the school land had been heated, but now it would be a war.” “Our people believed that kids were closest to the Creator…In the Lakota tradition- children were wakan-sacred.”

Virgil’s involvement in solving crimes included bootlegging disputes between the Rosebud Rez and the neighboring reservation. Retaliatory measures might be taken when demands were unmet. This included threats to family and property. The tribal police were slow to address gang issues. “I liked to think that most people around here appreciated my work as an enforcer for those seeking justice…a job often needing extra muscle.” Virgil was as reluctant to accept help from the Rosebud Tribal Chief of Police, Rose Charging Cloud, as she was loath to provide it. They would, however, occasionally work in unison to try to unravel the mystery surrounding several deaths and suspicious fires on the Rosebud Reservation.

To err is human and Virgil Wounded Horse was very aware of his shortcomings, however, his determination to safeguard members of his community took precedence even if his methods were not always above board. To many, he was an unsung hero. Author David Heska Wanbli
Weiden propels the reader along with Virgil on his quest for justice. He educates and informs on Native American culture. In the 1800s, holding a sweat lodge or other Indian ceremony was a felony punishable by a year in prison. Indigenous spirituality remained a criminal offense until the late 1970s. Another highlighted issue was the difficulty navigating the criminal justice system. “Serious felony crimes on the rez had to be referred to the FBI, but they declined a large number of cases, which meant that offenders went free…”. It was no wonder that the detective skills of Virgil were needed to discover who attacked Jerome and why the Land Project continued despite the knowledge that unmarked graves of descendants were under the building site.

An excellent thought-provoking thriller I highly recommend.

Thank you David Heska Wanbli Weiden and Ecco for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Linda]

There is something sacred in shared pain.

David Heska Wanbli Weiden returns with another outstanding novel depicting life on the
Rosebud (Sicangu Nation) Reservation in South Dakota. His first novel, Winter Counts (2020), introduced us to Virgil Wounded Horse. Virgil has a high sense of justice even though his means to an end are not always the socially accepted way.

On the reservation, justice was not served fairly.....or perhaps not at all. The tribal police were limited in what they could do. Weak laws stood in the way as well as tightened finances. The U.S. government was not allowed to enforce its power on tribal land unless called in by the FBI. The FBI seldom took cases. That's where Virgil stepped in. Native American families and individuals paid Virgil a fee to strong-arm those who had committed crimes against them. Business was profitable.

Weiden does feature Virgil's steeled fist in this one, but he also showcases a different side to Virgil. Virgil visits the land where an Indian school had been operating long ago. His aunt attended there. Her grave was never found. Hundreds of young children were buried in unmarked graves. It's here that Virgil meets Val, a self-employed hacker. Val is determined to find the grave of Virgil's aunt.

This endeavor will lead to uncovering a deep, dark secret that has transpired on the Rosebud Reservation itself. It is up to Virgil, Val, and Virgil's girlfriend Marie to dig deeply into the shady goings on there. Weiden widens the scope and involves a construction company building on former tribal land, the power wielded by the Pine Ridge 705 gang, and the devastating murder of the holy man Jerome Iron Shell. Weiden keeps the action mounting.

While Wisdom Corner can be read as a standalone, your best bet is to pick up Winter Counts (2020) first to get a feel for these characters and their situations. Wisdom Corner doesn't appear to be showcased as part of a series, but it does come off that way. Weiden leaves possibilities in the closure. I certainly hope that Virgil steps out front and center once again.

Wisdom Corner is densely written. Weiden fills it with the injustices suffered by the Native American population living on reservations. There are tangled threads of the need for criminal justice administration on reservations. Weiden brings to light the tragedies of Indian boarding schools that tried to wipe out the Native American culture. Hundreds and hundreds of children died without acknowledgement. The most famous was the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania. Add to this the U.S. government's violation of tribal land treaties. Be sure to read the Author's Note. It's an eye-opener.

Wisdom Corner shines a light on the superb talents of David Heska Wanbli Weiden. Broaden your horizons and delve into one of his novels. Bravo, once again, just bravo.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Ecco Books and to the talented David Heska Wanbli Weiden for the opportunity.

[Amy D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Initial review. May change a bit once my thoughts are better formulated.)

I have been eagerly awaiting another book by David Heska Wanbli Weiden after devouring Winter Counts a few years ago, so was excited to receive an ARC from Net Galley. I did a re-read of Winter Counts to remind myself of the characters, but Wisdom Corner could be read as a standalone. The plot does not rely on the previous book.

Rosebud nation vigilante Virgil Wounded Horse has been trying to stay out of trouble, sticking to delivering legal papers for an attorney. However as his community faces threats from both a gang from the Pine Ridge nation and developers in Rapid City, South Dakota trying to develop deluxe condominiums on the property of a former residential "school," he keeps getting pulled back in. Because of this, there is a lot of action, suspense and some physical violence between individuals. Wanbli Weiden does not shy away from tough topics.

While Winter Counts revolved around drug trafficking and the resulting problems, Wisdom Counts revolves around illegal alcohol sales and white collar crime within tribal leadership and property builders. Both topics were interesting.

The reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is what I thought to be some inauthentic dialogue. There were situations where readers could have been educated through Virgil's thoughts, but instead the education came through dialogue that seemed phony to me. For example, when Virgil meets someone advocating to not place condos on top of gravesites at the residential school, the individual educates Virgil on the history of residential schools. I understand why the author would want to provide the background knowledge to readers, but instead the dialogue makes it seem as though Virgil is just learning of this, which is hard to believe considering he belongs to and lives within the Rosebud Nation. The advocate to Virgil, "The children weren’t allowed to hold on to their culture at all— no spirituality or traditions. If they were caught doing anything Native, they were punished." All true, but hard to believe that would be news to Virgil. And there were also times the dialogue seemed too formal, and not how I believe people speak to people they know well.

That small complaint aside, I loved the characters, their inner turmoil, and the educational value to me. I love learning of communities just a few hours from me, but also completely different than my own. Not to mention, I value learning about cultures that were vastly ignored in my own education decades ago. And for any Winter Counts readers, yes, best pal and humorous sidekick Tommy returns in Wisdom Corner.

I will be eagerly awaiting the next story of Virgil and his family and friends.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Heska Wanbli Weiden takes us into the dark side of life on South Dakota's Rosebud and Pine Ridge reservations in this sequel to his debut novel, Winter Counts. We see some of the impact of bootleg alcohol, gang violence, corrupt officials, arson and the legacy of native boarding schools. On top of that, respected Lakota medicine man is brutally murdered.

At the center of the story is Virgil Wounded Horse, a sometime vigilante/enforcer. He says he has given up settling scores, but trouble keeps finding him from the beginning when he gets crosswise with a gang from Pine Ridge for trying to help out a bootlegger friend. The novel lays bare the problems that arise with the haphazard nature of law enforcement on reservations, where jurisdictional issues tie the hands of tribal police and serious crimes may not even be investigated much less punished.

With some help from his friends, Virgil sets out to solve the murder and to get to the bottom of the controversy over a real estate development on the site of a former boarding school. Soon someone is targeting him. Is the development connected to the murder? Which tribal official(s) is working with the developer? Is gang revenge part of this?

Weiden weaves aspects of Native culture and history throughout the book, with varying degrees of success. The fact that he does this makes the book special, but the way that he does it in lecture form sometimes slows down the pace of the book. People tell Virgil things I would expect him to already know by virtue of living on the Rosebud reservation. In addition, Weiden gets sidetracked sharing Native history he finds interesting--such as the story of the football team at the Carlisle Indian School--even though it has nothing to do with the Lakota and the plot of the book.

I look forward to the next installment of Virgil's adventures.

I received a copy of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisdom Corner reunites us with Virgil Wounded Horse about a year after the end of Winter Counts and his near death experience. He is still with his girlfriend Marie, and he has made a promise to her that his hired vigilante days are over. The problem is convincing everyone else that he's no longer available to be their heavy. Virgil still feels obligations to help people, especially those connected to Jerome Iron Shell, the local medicine man and a father figure to Virgil.

When Virgil tries to help Jerome's nephew during a disagreement with a street game from a neighboring reservation, things go bad and keep going down hill, especially after Jerome Iron Shell is found dead on his porch. Virgil is trying his hardest to fight against his instincts to step in and get revenge, especially because Marie is running for tribal council and the tribe's perception of him is rubbing off on her. But those old instincts run deep, and it has never before felt more like justice can only come from Virgil's hands.

Weiden has given us a really interesting and complex character in Virgil Wounded Horse. He wants nothing more than to do good and be helpful, but feels like the ways he can do that are limited. I also love how Weiden writes, weaving in tidbits of information about Native American history and tribal politics and the way reservations work and run without it feeling like a textbook or lecture. He has a similar light tough with the mystical elements, which I really appreciate because I unfortunately find that my brain gets a bit bogged down when a book is heavily reliant on folklore.

Wisdom Corner is a companion novel to Winter Counts, and you should really read Winter Counts first in order to understand the history and the relationships. But you're in luck, because it is also an excellent read!

[Igor DelRey · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost, I gotta say this: Wisdom Corner has most of the characters that appear on this author's previous novel, Winter Counts. Even though this book is not being recognised as a sequel to Winter Counts I'd say IT IS. Considering that this new story starts a few months after the events of Winter Counts, and there are many mentions of scenes from that book in this new one, yes, to ME, this book is a sequel to Winter Counts.
Now, I do believe it is possible to read Wisdow Corner without having read Winter Counts. However, I do recommend reading that one before getting to this 'sequel'.
Having said that, I really liked this new book. More than I did Winter Counts, actually.
Because I already know the cast of characters in this new book, it was easier for me to care for what is going on with each one of them this time.
Just like Winter Counts, we follow Virgil and his violent way of life (he is trying to change...but he keeps being teased to coming back to his usual violent way of life), and this time the stakes are higher and more people from his community are being threatened and harmed.

I'll admit the pacing here may bother some readers, especially considering that this book should be a thriller. However, I have no complaints. Probably because I was already invested in the narrative and storyline since chapter 1. I really enjoy Weinden's writing and descriptions and the discussions he brings to the plot on native American culture.
I loved it! If he writes a 'third' book with these characters I'll be looking forward to it.

I can easily recommend this book to anyone who has read Winter Counts and enjoyed.
Thank you, NetGally and Ecco, for provindig me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Mandie Owings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advanced reader copy of Wisdom Corner by a local bookstore. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this story as this wasn’t my first choice in genre. There was a good mixture of history, storytelling and mystery.

Wisdom Corner takes place on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Our main character, Virgil Wounded Horse is desperately trying to make a new name for himself, escaping from his past of being a known enforcer.

Virgil has really come into his new life of working in the legal sector of his community. All while supporting his girlfriend, Marie as she’s running for a spot in the tribal counsel against Mitch Gagnon, who is known to be a shady political figure in the community.

Wisdom Corner used to be an important spot in their community. One of past stories and a place where respected elders would spend their time. As the years went on it became a breading ground for trouble. Drug dealers, bootleggers and gangs would spend their time here, taking away from the true meaning of this spot and turning it into a place where most feared to go.

One night, Virgil was asked by a friend to accompany his nephew Pudge to Wisdom Corner to meet with a gang from a neighboring community. While doing this favor Virgil gets into a physical altercation. This seems to be the start of Virgil taking a deep look into past injustices involving the local Native boarding school.

Virgil becomes very involved in this investigation. He is determined to get answers for himself and his community. Can he do this without falling back into his enforcer role and without harming his relationships with others?

[Emily Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book two and needs to be marketed that way. When I read the first ten percent or so, I felt like there was a lot of telling me what happened in the past and I started to wonder if this was a book two. So I went back and reread the description. No mention of a series. I continued reading and my conviction that I was being told a huge amount of backstory strengthened. The description says that this book is from the author of Winter Counts, which makes it sound like both this book and Winter Counts are standalones that just happen to be by the same author. You have to actually click into the description of Winter Counts to see that all the characters have the same name and that a lot of the backstory I've just been told about is the description of Winter Counts. Which didn't feel great, if I'm being honest. Had I known this was a book two, I would have gone ahead and read book one first and then this ARC. Now I feel like I'm coming into the middle and I can't decide if it's OK to have such a huge portion of tell not show because it's a book two, or if this is just a writing problem. Also, according to the description of the book, the mystery is who killed the medicine man. But the medicine man isn't attacked until 27% in, which is a huge portion of book to go by without the inciting incident. Maybe I'm just not the correct reader for this one.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to be able to read this second book about Virgil Wounded Horse and his life on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Virgil has recovered from his last exploits and time has moved on and so has he. He is trying to lead a more peaceful life by leaving his vigilante work behind. However, things keep cropping up that push him in the direction of meting out justice.

Virgil's girlfriend Marie is running for a seat on the Tribal Council and her opponent seems to be quite unsavory while selling himself as the man to solve all the problems. Several major issues are pulling at Virgil and he has to worry about those he loves as well as his own life.

What I found fascinating about this novel was it touching on the sordid past when Indian children were taken from their parents and forced into schools. They were banned from all the things of their own culture. I am 70 years old, so I have known about these issues in our history, not to mention all the turmoil that has been going on for decades with the land issues and broken treaties. My fear is that no one is actually teaching real history anymore, so it is good that these things are coming out in this novel. It is important to never forget.

I would like to thank HarperCollins Publishers and NetGalley for this opportunity to read this novel in advance. I am most grateful.

[Jifu · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Note: I received an advanced reader copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley)

After thoroughly enjoying Winter Counts several years ago, I was excited to learn of an upcoming sequel. I eagerly waited to get my hands on Wisdom Corner, and all my expectations were easily met and more. I greatly appreciate how assertively, unapologetically indigenous, and specifically Lakota the entire work is. Not just the setting and characters, but also how the author very clearly highlights the challenges and also the outright major flaws in the legal justice system available on the reservations. Also appreciated were the informative pieces of Native American history liberally sprinkled about, almost all of it knowledge that will be quite new to the majority of readers who were collectively failed by our grade school education on this front. Finally, Wisdom Corner of course also proved to be quite the gripping thriller overall, and I found it difficult to put aside once I got deep into the twists and turns of the plot.

I am already hoping that David Heska Wanbli Weiden surprises us by turning this series into a trilogy with a (hopefully not too far-in-the-future) publication.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Winter Count, the author’s first book (it was a BOTM selection for me) so when this ARC (my thanks to NetGalley and Ecco) appeared I was instantly excited. And the excitement proved true!

Virgil Wounded Horse returns. As an enforcer on the Rosebud Indian Reservation, he’s called back to his vigilante roots (if you haven’t do read Winter Counts). He’s been desperately trying to avoid this but when a respected elder is murdered, he’s asked to return to the job. A gang, Pine Ridge 750, from another reservation, wants to expand its territory. Then there’s the shady politician, Mitch Gagnon. With elections looming and past allegations against a local Native school re-emerging, “stakes are high.”

I loved the atmosphere in this book. And I enjoyed the setting and culture revealed in the story. As the author writes in his note, his theme concerns the injustice with the criminal justice system - an important and prescient topic. We need more books about indigenous people so I am thrilled this one adds to that genre. And Virgil is a priceless character.

Don’t miss this one.

[Donna Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

E-ARC generously provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! Thank you!

In this sequel to Winter Counts, we follow Virgil Wounded Knee as he tries to live by his new set of rules: refusing to take vigilante jobs. But after he helps out one fellow, a local legend is soon killed. Virgil is determined to find out who did this while also discovering a cover-up regarding a local Native boarding school. The cast again is complex and filled with plenty of diversity. The setting is familiar from the previous book, while also highlighting some new spots. Virgil's nephew, Nathan, does take a step back in importance in this book as we follow more minor characters. The inclusion of Native American history, which had been whitewashed, was a great addition to learn more about them. The pacing of the story was good, especially with the tense situations. Overall, this was a fantastic book that highlights the justice system's failures in Native American reservations and the removal of their people's importance in history.

[Emboldened · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this audiobook.

This grabbed me right away; the action starts immediately, and I was living for it from the first few pages. I didn’t realize this was book two when I started, but the story caught me up quickly without slowing everything down, so I never felt lost. Virgil Wounded Horse trying to leave behind his past as a hired vigilante on the Rosebud Indian Reservation gives the story a strong center, and the mix of danger, history, and politics made it feel much bigger than just a thriller.

I especially liked how the book balanced the more serious material with the family interactions, which were often funny and full of personality. The reservation setting felt fully realized, and I appreciated the historical and political context woven into the story about Indigenous life and community. Even without reading the first book, I was completely pulled in by the pacing, the narrator, and the way the book kept building momentum without wasting time.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery novel is set on the Rosebud Indian reservation. Virgil Wounded Horse has been an enforcer - hired by others on the rez to enact justice when the tribal police and US law enforcement walk away from an issue. Apparently, this happens often, even with serious crimes. He's ready to walk away from being an enforcer, but keeps getting pulled back to help right wrongs. In addition to important historical disputes, we travel to a former Indian school where young children were taken from their families to be raised without their culture, language, or families. [Many children died from abuse and/or under terrible conditions at Indian schools throughout North America.] And I learned how an Indian college invented football's forward pass to compete (and win) against Ivy League schools. Jim Thorpe and Pop Warner are mentioned. The story is rich in detail about rez life, with sympathetic characters. It builds slowly, but really amps up the suspense at the end. The audiobook narration is very good. 4.3 stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @HarperAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #WisdomCorner for review purposes. Publication date: 7 July 2026.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wisdom Corner is a well written mystery thriller that transports you immediately to a time and place. The world building of this community feels tangible. I appreciated the historical context provided about the crimes that take place in the novel.

It did take at least half way through the book to hook me in, the mystery doesn’t really click into place until that point. So while it’s a solid thriller, it struggles with pacing. I also felt some of the historical exposé was randomly thrown in rather than integrated into the plot. I appreciate reminders of the history but want it to feel woven in, rather than tacked onto, the story.

I appreciated how deeply the book makes you think about vigilante justice in the context of tribal land and the role of the US government in those situations.

This was my first book by this author and I would recommend it to fans of the genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[Darcia Helle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m sad to say that this book was just okay for me.

WISDOM CORNER is book two in a series that doesn’t appear to have a name. The first is WINTER COUNTS, which I loved. I think this second one reads fine as a stand alone, though you’ll get a better sense of the main character if you start with the first book.

Pacing was slow. We were given a lot of what felt like filler between short action scenes.

As with the first book, I enjoyed learning about life on a Native American reservation. But I felt like here it sometimes felt too intentional, a little forced, rather than a natural part of the story.

Maybe it’s my mood. I just never felt fully invested in this one.

*Thanks to Ecco for the free eARC, provided via NetGalley.*

[Jeffrey Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This is another outstanding novel from David Heska Wanbli Weiden. His previous novel, Winter Counts, introduced us to Virgil Wounded Horse and this story follows his journey from a man operating outside the law to a man possibly slightly more in step now. The setting of this book acts like another character in helping Virgil come to grips with who he wants to be. Virgil has a lot thrown at him in the book and he does his best to not fall back into old ways. I want to thank the author for a small peek (albeit with fiction leading the way) into life on the reservation and the toll it takes on the inhabitants. The book flows along and reads well and I can’t wait for another installment.

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wisdom Corner will be officially released July 7, 2026. Thanks goes to Goodreads Giveaways, David Heska Wanbli Weiden and Ecco / HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC.

Wisdom Corner was a good book, but, in my opinion, it wasn’t an outstanding book. It is the second book written by David and is a follow up to Winter Counts. I have not read Winter Counts, but thought that Wisdom Corner was fine as a stand alone. I did enjoy learning about life on a reservation. The history of abuse to the Native Americans is horrible. The relaying of the background information seemed clunky at times as it was portrayed in the dialogue. The plot was a bit predictable. I would be willing to read more in this series. My rating is a 3.75.

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a follow-up to the author’s book Winter Counts which one a bunch of awards. I have been waiting for this book to get published so I was very happy when I received an ARC. As in Winter Counts, a central issue of Wisdom Corner is the problem of fair and efficient criminal justice administration on Native American reservations. The main character has been serving as a vigilante on the reservation but with the second book he is reflecting on whether this is the right path for him and his family. The books are well written, unique and an interesting insight into Native American culture.

[Casey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the second book in a series and unfortunately the write up did not mention that it was. Reading the first book would definitely filled in some blanks in this book. That said, I found this book to me mediocre at best. The main character was uninteresting and the story meandered into what felt like filler to make it a longer novel. I had really looked forward to reading this book as it takes place on a reservation. Others reviewers enjoyed the book, I did not.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon, and my fiction book review blog.

[Sharlene N · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Virgil has walked away from his informal job as a vigilante-for-hire, but when trouble comes knocking, he can't seem to resist getting involved again.

𝒲𝒾𝓈𝒹𝑜𝓂 𝒞𝑜𝓇𝓃𝑒𝓇 is the sequel to Weiden's debut novel Winter Counts, but can also be read as a stand-alone.  I hadn't read the first and I found it fairly easy to follow.  This is a crime thriller set on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.  What really shined for me is the setting and the immersion in the reservation culture and characters.   The story is told in the first person from Virgil's point of view and he has a very unique voice.

There were a few pacing issues, but overall a solid thriller with a setting that was especially intriguing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ecco Books for access to this eARC.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Heska Wanbli Weiden’s book Wisdom Corner was a good read. It was a good crime thriller and interesting glimpse about life on an Indian Reservation. I really appreciated the historical information provided about the unjust, horrific treatment from the government over many aspects of Native peoples’ lives. I also appreciated learning of customs of Native people. I enjoyed the story itself and the twists that occurred. I am now interested in looking into the author’s other books.

Shane Ghostkeeper, the narrator of this audiobook, did a great job. I enjoyed listening to his voice.




Thank you Netgalley for this early access audiobook, Wisdom Corner.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was freaking fantastic. Not only is this a good mystery, it weaves life (and issues) that are currently happening on the Rosebud Indian Reservation. Virgil Wounded Horse is such a compelling character and his arc has been fantastic. He is trying to be a better man and I can't wait to see where his journey goes. Fans of S.A. Cosby and Jordan Harper will have an additional author to follow, with David Heska Wanbli Weiden.

I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.