Play Book Tag discussion

It is 1963 and Cork O’Connor and his friend have found the body of Big John Manydeeds hung from a tree. At first it seemed as if Big Jim had committed suicide; however as the story goes on clues point to he may have been murdered. Big John lives on a reservation with his Indian tribe. The author, Krueger, notes the tensions between the tribe and the town. He includes discrimination the tribe faces and past ways the government has interfered with their lives.

Cork’s father, Lain, is the sheriff of the small town where they live. Liam is investigating this situation and trying to be thorough. However, the tribe is upset with the type of questions he asks and they believe Liam does not understand their ways or what they have been up against. Cork sees all this and is learning how an investigation works along with the political side of things.

The descriptions of people and places in the book are excellent. Family relationships are focused on, especially the father and son one between Liam and Cork. Characters are well developed and there are many suspects with their own motives. Krueger includes different beliefs of both the tribe and the town people when he talks of death; and Cork feels the spirit of Big John is helping lead them to to solve the case. Krueger brings many minor characters into the story who are unique and interesting. He draws in the reader as Cork and Liam follow clues in the case. It is a fast and good read. I enjoyed it.