Murder at Medicine Lodge

A Tay-Bodal Mystery #3

by Mardi Oakley Medawar

“Another great storyteller is emerging.”—Tony Hillerman

Award-winning author Mardi Oakley Medawar

In 1867, the Kiowa travel to Medicine Lodge, Kansas, along with the Comanche, Arapaho, Apache, and Cheyenne to meet with representatives of the U.S. government and to sign peace treaties. But not all of the Kiowa agree that the peace treaty is a good thing, and tensions between them and the U.S. Army ("The Blue Jackets") are running high. So, when the army bugler disappears and White Bear, chief of the Rattle Band, finds his bugle out on the plains, the army command assumes that White Bear has killed the man to steal it. To make matters worse, the bugler's body is later found—murdered—out on the plains. With the army set to try White Bear for murder, and the Kiowa set to declare war if he is not found innocent, Tay-bodal—a healer amongst the Kiowa—is charged by the Principal Chief to investigate and clear White Bear's name. With very little time before an army tribunal is to be held, Tay-bodal must find out the truth about the bugler—a man he doesn't know—and what might have actually happened out there on the plains.

"Medawar, a Cherokee, reveals legendary Native Americans as believable people and offers her readers a comprehensive look at historical Kiowa life and values."—Publishers Weekly

"Her characters, white or Indian, are people...This is our history." —Don Coldsmith, award-winning author of Runestone

Genres: Mystery, Native American, Historical Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction

324 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1999

About the author

Medawar, a North Carolina Cherokee born in Olla, Louisiana, is an award-winning author, artist, lecturer, and historian. She is a member of the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers, Western Writers, and Sisters In Crime. Among her writings is a mystery series featuring Tay-bodal, a late 19th century Kiowa healer. Medawar attended San Diego State University, and has taught writing at several schools and programs. Medawar currently lives and works on the Red Cliff Chippewa Reservation in Northern Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent murder mystery set in 1867 Kansas during the lead up to the Medicine Lodge Treaty negotiations. A US army bugler has been killed, and the blame is first placed on a Kiowa Indian chief. Kiowa healer Tay-Bodal is appointed by the principal chief as the person to solve the crime.

I do not consider the series to be a masterpiece in mystery writing. I do believe however that the setting, and the use of a traditional Kiowa healer as a detective is unique. By giving the detective a low status, Medwar's book allows us to see the egos on both the American side and the Kiowa side. It is good fiction and a different time and place from the books written by Hillerman, Doss, and Thurlo.

If you like Native American detective stories or those that take place in a historical setting you may greatly enjoy this book.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blurb on the cover of this book days ".(Mardi Oakley Medawar) does for the Kiowa culture what Tony Hillerman has done for the Navaho." Don Coldsmith

And he is right....at least from my white person's view. The only difference is that Medawar's books are more historical. In fact, although the mystery is interesting, the descriptions and explanations of the culture are almost more so.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1867 many of the local tribes travel to Medicine Lodge, Oklahoma to discuss a peace treaty with the U.S. Government.

When Kiowa Chief, White Bear is accused of murder, Tay-bodal is volunteered to help solve the mystery before war is declared.

Tay-bodal and his wife are very amusing characters. His interactions with his friend and army doctor, Harrison, are well written. The details of tribal life are fascinating and come across as far more believable than the history that Hollywood has made the normal perception. This is another great story in a too short series.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this book by chance. The main character is a Kiowa in 1867. He is of a lower class but he has friends in high places. He is a doctor, but more importantly he is a sleuth. The writer has a number of interesting items of trivia that make the book even more interesting. However a good plot and good character development mean a pleasant experience for the reader. A whodunnit set with a Native-American setting.

[Lisa Buie-Collard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this writer and her way of storytelling. The characters are interesting, the scene is dramatic, and the mystery fun to watch being solved. Now I will go back and read the first two!

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter-in-law and I had many discussions about this book, as we both enjoyed it but felt that it wasn't very well written. Is it just the cultural difference expressed in the writer's style? We weren't sure. There were things the main character did that seemed clunky, and subjects were dropped or changed quickly. But the author does such a good job of explaining and showing the differences in the culture of the white the native Americans that it's well worth reading.