Blood Memory

Catherine McLeod #1

by Margaret Coel

Targeted for assassination after doing a story on an attempt on the part of the Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes to file a claim on their ancestral lands, Denver investigative reporter Catherine McLeod uncovers a dangerous conspiracy involving her ex-husband's wealthy family and state politicians, as well as some startling facts about her own heritage.

Genres: Mystery, Native American, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Book Club, Novels

305 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Margaret Coel is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the acclaimed novels featuring Father John O'Malley and Vicky Holden, as well as several works of nonfiction. Originally a historian by trade, she is considered an expert on the Arapaho Indians.

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not finish this. I reached the point at which I was making myself plow through another chapter and decided that life is too short. I'm assuming that she ends up still alive and somebody goes to prison or otherwise receives just deserts.
I really like the Wind River Reservation series and enjoy the characters there.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a new protagonist from an author who's other series I really like (the lawyer from that series does appear briefly in this book, but that is the only overlap). I liked about 80% of this, and thought it kind of unraveled a bit at the end, but not badly (maybe frayed at the end is a better analogy). The underlying theme is how Native Americans and big business might collude with casinos so that they both win--I thought it was believable and enjoyed it as a light read.

[Joann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have started picking up books in local bookstores during my travels. Books about the place, people and/or history of the location. This one I found at a wonderful little bookstore in Cherokee, NC called Talking Leaves. I discovered another great author and learned more about the tragic Sand Creek Massacre that occurred in Colorado. I will read more of her books.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this story a little boring.

[Steven Howes · Rating 3 out of 5]

One can always count on a solid and enjoyable read from Margaret Coel. I probably would have rated this one a bit higher if I had not still been recovering from the ending of her Wind River Mystery series. I believe this series has a great deal of potential and that Denver newspaper reporter Catherine McLeod will develop into a character that will equal those found in the Wind River series. Part of her family tree includes Arapaho ancestors and she finds it difficult to find her place in either White or Native culture.

Margaret Coel usually includes an element of western history in her books and this one is no exception. It relies heavily on events surrounding the Sand Creek Massacre which took place in eastern Colorado in November of 1864.

[Carolyn Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main protagonist is Catherine McLeod, reporter for Denver Journal.  She's the focus of a hit man as she pursues a story about an Indian Casino that's being pursued.  In the process, she discovers that she's the granddaughter of an Arapaho chief (she was adopted and raised by white parents).  Good basic mystery.  Vicky Hogen appears in one scene as a lawyer representing the Wind River Arapahoes--nice touch!

[M.E. Maki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I should have read Blood Memory before The Perfect Suspect, as Blood Memory sets up the characters. In spite of that, it was another excellent read by Margaret Coel.

[Donna Pfeiffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this murder mystery. The plot moved along quickly. The story also portrayed history regarding the Native Americans that were pressed out of their land territory, conveying both sides of the conflict.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 2 out of 5]

Way too long. Needed a good editor.

[Millie Picker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since reading Winter’s Child for book club earlier this month, I’ve started reading other Margaret Coel mysteries. I thought all of her mysteries were with the lawyer Vicky Holden and Father John O’Malley, but this was written long before. Her books do connect though for the Wind River Reservation is in this book aún a historical perspective but doesn’t take prominence until the Wind River Reservation series.
If you like a well written mystery with Native American ties and history, this series may be your cup of tea. If you’re a Tony Hillerman fan you’d probably like these also. Since moving to CO I’ve tried to find Colorado authors to read; Ms. Coel and Ms. Mizushima have not disappointed!

[Crystal Toller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine McLeod is an investigative Journalist working for the Denver Journal and is writing stories about the massacre at Sand Creek and the Arapaho and Cheyenne's desire to have their 500 acres of land back. One night as Catherine comes home from walking her dog after working late she is followed by a man. She manages to get home and calls her friend Maury and then the police. Before the police can get there Maury comes to her rescue and the man breaks in after Maury and shoots him before the police get there. Catherine manages to escape but now has someone after her and has to rearrange her whole life to stay alive. How Catherine discovers who doesn't want her to write her stories about the tribes efforts and is stalking her and looking to kill her makes for a great story. I really enjoyed the story but felt Catherine was a little stupid to call a friend before calling the police; otherwise a great book and I really enjoyed my first reading of this author.

[Janet Balliet]

Catherine is followed home & her friend Muary is attacked & shot when he tries to help.Catherine follows leads on a story she is writing. The killer is stalking her. He ties again went is is driving. The story leads her down a twisted route in history. She hides, boards her dog, stays away from her mother & changes her hair to evade the killer. In the end, her friend dies along with other people the gunman caused to die. In the end she fits the pieces to the puzzle & learns who wants her dead! After they are arrested, the killer comes for her. She shots him herself!

[Judy Pohlod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful history of Colorado and the blood that was spilled at Sandcreek.

Living in Colorado, my son working at Denver Health Hospital, seeing the buildings and streets Catherine ran down made this story come alive for me. I follow all of her stories on a well marked map of Colorado and Wyoming. We plan on a trip to the Wind River Reservation, that's how alive and strong the research Margaret Coel puts into her books.

[Laura Poppenwimer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good murder mystery, not in the usual plot line in that the main character of the story is being followed by a hit man. This book was an interesting read, lots of rich descriptions of Denver. It also spend a lot of time on the horrific Sand Creek massacre that wiped out the peaceful Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indians camping there. This is the first novel I have read by this author and see that there is a 2nd Catherine McLeod novel available and I plan on ordering it.

[Josephine M Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thriller

This book of Margaret Coel's was so different from the ones about Father John and Vickie. It was just as tense, or more so, but there was a completely different feeling about it than her Wind River series. Having lived in Colorado and visiting Denver many times, I could visualize downtown Denver, the Capital, the library, the museum, the streets mentioned. I enjoyed the book very much.

[Pat Bedinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery was more in the thriller mode, since the reader knows who the villain is from the outset. I actually enjoyed this book more than the usual series from the author. The pace was very fast and the suspense was sustained throughout. I appreciated the author's deeper study about the Sand Creek massacre and her clear familiarity with the region in Colorado where the story is set. I especially enjoyed the abrupt ending - it was a nice touch.

[Sidney Rippy McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Like Catherine McLeod

Catherine is a very real sort of character. She is an investigative reporter caught up in an interesting story about the Indian tribes that originally lived in Colorado trying to reclaim land and build a casino. Then, a man follows her home and ends up shooting her best friend.
Can Catherine piece together her story with a hit man tracking her every move?

[Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fine literary performance by a fine mystery writer who always manages to infuse her story with significant historical events, this time the Sand Creek Massacre, the broken treaties between the United States and Indian tribes, the lack of real remuneration for past atrocities and the casino as the new buffalo.

All this while dodging the tragic attempts by an assassin on the life of our dear Catherine.

[Tracey S Choat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy the history lessons

Not as good as the Wind River Reservation mysteries but I did enjoy the history lessons. Margaret Coel brings to life the history of the Arapaho & Cheyenne in this series. One of my favorite authors because of the research and empathy toward the tribes.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty good if thrillers are your thing. But I don’t like it as much as the books in Coel's Wind River series. I was happy to see a cameo appearance by Vicky Holden acting as lawyer for the Wind River Reservation. I guess I liked being charmed by the characters on the Rez and the innocent non romance between Vicky and Father John more than this edgy story.

[Elaine Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this in the Plus Library. I remembered the author from the very first National Book Festival as a member of a panel of mystery writers, so I thought I'd finally give her a try. Awful. It was painfully repetitive and would have been a better book if it was cut 50-75%. I would have given it 1 star except I finished it. But not even trying the other free title.

[Kathie Sweet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not up to par

I have read all of her Wind River books and struggled to put them down. This book prodded along and required stamina to complete. Maybe her character, Catherine McLeod, will get some depth. I sure hope so.

[Carole Berkoff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Compared to the other Margaret Coel books I have read, this one was very disappointing. Too much running different routes thru Denver was not very interesting. Too much hx of Sand Creek massacre & parts were very redundant. I very much enjoyed her other books about Wind River.

[William Hubbartt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great action with an examination of Native American - settler issues historically and currently. Protagonist Catherine, an investigative reporter is pursued by a sniper providing an ongoing -building suspense. Exciting conclusion.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this as much as other books by Coel. Lots of repetition of ordinary things that I thought was unnecessary. Also, she was taking a big chance that the revolver would work after so many years of neglect. I know, I should just go with the story and not over-analyze!

[Regan · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a disappointing read. I've loved Coel's Wind River series and was anticipating another fabulous read and series. This one read like her first draft that she didn't bother to go back and look at just how badly it was written.

[Elaine Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story is fairly good, the author extends the book much longer than it should be and I almost did not finish it. Many writers include descriptions of clothing, appearances, and environment, but it seems that a good portion of this book is written so that the asides sometimes dominate.

[Mary Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Catherine McCloud, an investigative reporter for a major
Denver newspaper, has made enemies but none to explain the assasin sent to kill her. She is arapaho writing a story about Sand Creek Massacue and establishing another Indian casino.

[Vida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like it as well as I have liked the Wind River series books I have read. Figured out who was behind the contract to kill the reporter long before it is revealed.

[Tessa in Mid-Michigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her best. Too much repetition of material from other books. The plot was fairly stretched and thin in places.