Play Book Tag discussion

Young Native American girls have been running away from their reservation homes in search of a better life. When the body of a young Carrie Verga washes up on Windigo Island, Cork O'Connor is contacted by a desperate family hoping to locate their own daughter, Mariah, who had run away with Carrie. It has been more than a year since the two teens went missing and Cork is not sure he can find any leads after this length of time. He is convinced to take the case by his own daughter Jenny and his cherished old friend Henry Meloux. Both assure Cork that they will accompany him on his search.

Evidence is strong that the girls went to Duluth. Being a huge port on Lake Superior, boat traffic is heavy and many unscrupulous people have begun to take the youngsters under their wings with the eventual goal of prostituting them. It is certain that Carrie fell victim to the sex trade and it is rumored that she was being held by a man known as Windigo, a Native American name for an evil spirit. Cork is hopeful that Mariah might still be alive but he knows that getting her away from Windigo will be dangerous and possibly fatal.

This is a well-plotted mystery/thriller with one of my favorite protagonists, Cork O'Connor. Jenny plays a larger part in this novel than in any before and she adds a great deal of heart and sensitivity to her sometimes 'go at all costs' father. And who doesn't love the ancient Ojibwe, Henry Meloux. He of the indeterminate age, wise sayings, flowing white hair and an understanding beyond earthly things. I'm so glad I have quite a few more in this series to go.