Five-Dollar Indian: A Sam Chitto Mystery

Sam Chitto Mystery #4

by Lutricia Clifton

Upheaval comes to the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma over a proposed Native Theme park. The odd alliance of an Apache and a Sioux promoter attracts the attention of Choctaw officers when a powwow doesn’t seem to be the philanthropic fund-raiser it is touted to be. Then a fourteen-year-old Sioux boy is found dead in the Kiamichi Wilderness. The death looks like a drug overdose, but the country investigator finds other, more baffling evidence that draws in the unauthorized involvement of four tribal one Sioux and three Choctaw, including Lieutenant Sam Chitto. Lawmen are the “thin blue line” that holds back chaos, but each officer struggles with his own internal demons that put adherence to the code of ethics and the vows he took as an officer at risk. The dead boy’s grandfather, the Sioux officer, believes he has evidence the death was murder and wants to execute his own brand of justice. Meanwhile, Sam discovers one of the promoters is a five-dollar Indian – a white man posing as native to profit at Native Americans’ expense. The imposter is none other than Leon Messina, grandson of old drug lord Victor Messina - the man behind the gangland killing of Sam’s father. Will mistrust, suspicion, and a deep desire for revenge prevent these four lawmen from working together to ensure justice is served?

323 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2020

About the author

Lutricia "Lu" Clifton writes novels for both children and adults. Most of her adult novels are set in southeastern Oklahoma and include a mingling of Native American cultural beliefs and traditions. She became interested in those cultural traditions while tracing her mother’s Choctaw roots.

She was born in and spent her early childhood in southeastern Oklahoma, then moved to the Texas Panhandle with her family. She completed an associate degree at Amarillo Junior College in Texas and a B.A. and M.A. in English at Colorado State University. She now resides in Illinois with a gray tabby named Mary Jane that she rescued from a shelter. Her oldest son and wife life in Oregon and her youngest son and wife live in Illinois.

She is a member of the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Mystery Writers of America, and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

NEW RELEASE: SEEKING GRACE IN BEULAH LAND, A Novel -- April 1, 2019

HONORS/AWARDS:

FREAKY FAST FRANKIE JOE -- 2012 Friends of American Writers Award for Juvenile Fiction

SEEKING CASANDRA --Winner of the 2017 Oklahoma Book Award for YA Fiction

SCALP DANCE--A Sam Chitto Mystery --Finalist for the 2017 Oklahoma Book Award for Fiction

THE BONE PICKER, A Sam Chitto Mystery Finalist for 2018 Oklahoma Book Award in Fiction

THE HORNED OWL --A Sam Chitto Mystery -- Finalist for 2019 Oklahoma Book Award in Fiction

Reviews

[Chrisl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the first three books in series ... but this one, number four, never held my interest. Finished it with relief. Kind of hope for more books about Sam Chitto, but ...

[Alice McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Wonderful characters, especially the protagonist, and a great sense of place. What more can we ask: characters, setting, and plot. All are excellent.

[Terry Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than a $5 Indian

This is the 4th Sam Chitto mystery that I have read which speaks to my level of enjoyment. I appreciate the well developed characters that reappear in each story bringing a level of comfortable familiarity. Its not highly suspenseful but it kept me turning the page to find out what next. I value even the little introduction to Native American culture and snippets of their history.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the others

Loads of typos and inaccuracies prevent this story from measuring up to the previous Sam Chitto novels. Stickball, for instance, is actively played across the Choctaw Nation and beyond, by adults and children, men and women. This story seemed rushed and not as well planned.

[Clara M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Dollar Indian

A great read encompassing native traditional life and stories along with modern crime fighting, in honourable circumstances!

I look forward to reading more books from this author!

[Sandra Jeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s Play Ball!

From the very beginning to the very end the story kept my attention and definitely made it hard to put the book down. A great book to read, learn new things about native Americans, and interesting a ballgame can be.

[Beverly Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book!

Loved the storyline, the guys who grew up together, the cops who manage to work together in getting the bad guys, the ball game and the great ending! Very good story!

[Sherry Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

I loved the aspect of imminent justice. The story was fast and exciting. I enjoy the dog, Boycott, A lot. The storyline held my attention and kept me guessing about not only the ending but other activities as well.

[wayne peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of this book.

An excellent book. It has a lot of suspense, humor and bone chilling drama. The character Iron Cloud was well thought out. He played a pivotal role in the story. The continued references to the beliefs of the Choctaw people enhanced the story greatly. I look forward to reading more books by this author.

[Joyce Scrivner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different slice of Native America

I grew up traveling to New New Mexico and Navaho, Apache, Pueblo Native Americans. This is a different but similar area with same types of divided issues. Worth reading and review

[Susan D. Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved itoh

I could read a lot of Sam Chitto. I love the honest thought he has. This was one of those very hard to but down books. Characters were many all having there own agendas yet ever together when it counted.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

a book where the investigation leads to the discovery of many different crimes that new and old.the crimals are part of

[Josephine M Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

I enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and entertaining. I liked the main characters and was happy to see the bad ones were overcome.

[Donald Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good mystery.

This is my first reading of this author. She has a very good control of the subject and story line.

[Jacque Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baseball game??

This was fun to follow! Some of the regular characters......and some closure for Sam finally! Lots of life issues and full of twists.

[Laurie Ann Jeavons · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

A good read. I'm A reader not a writer, I hate writing reviews. Seven more words required. Now three more.

[Dianne P. Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batter, Batter

A bit slow at first, but it finally takes off and sails through the rest of the story. The baseball game was marvelous?

[Jay Bagwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good One Not to be Passed Up

Lu Clifton is a strong writer. No bull. Nothing not essential. Straight forward mystery storytelling. Don't pass this one up.

[Odin's Daughter · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is was fast paced, liked the characters.

[Douglas]

Good story.

A good mystery to curl up with on a cold winter nite.
Another adventure for Sam Chitto.
Nice infusion of native American lore.

[JOYCE WALZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story, well told. You can tell author is well versed in the Native American culture and the challenges faced by them, but it doesn’t over power the story.

[Cheryle Katribe · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Dollar Indian

Finishes the story started in book 1. Hope there will be more books about Sam Chitto. Looking forward to more of Sam's adventures.

[A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Gail Climer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fair

The plot was boring. Action was miniscule, and not knowing the culture of the Choctaw tribe made this seem more boring.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining but not as much as the first three books in the series. the protagonists interact well with each other to solve the problem in this book.
I recommend all her books. Now I am reading the fifth in the series.