Status Updates From Mask of the Deer Woman

A couple characters are suddenly revealing sharp directional shifts, interesting and not predictable.
This might be a good choice for book clubs.

Heroine Marshal Starr is deeply emotionally scarred, much like Texas Ranger Darren Mathews in Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke. Both characters are flawed, yet sympathetic as they attempt to numb their painful trauma with alcohol, and in Carrie Starr's case also marijuana.

-through the winter storm + having flashbacks, I was a little anxious to get to the action. I’m ok with the ending; we don’t get to see too much of the plot points wrapped up though. Helen is ok & somehow is salvaging her career? What will happen to the rez? Chenoa is ok & Starr is on leave but not necessarily in permanent trouble. Bernard & Holder both dead. Is the supernatural real?

I liked the author’s note at the end, it was cool to see how the author incorporated her own identity into the story. It definitely shows with how Starr feels disconnected from the rez/a part of both worlds, how women are preyed upon but learn to fight back, how daughters are hurt but fiercely searched for by mothers. I felt that some of the climatic action could’ve been less drawn out; when Starr was searching-

-as being obsessed/infatuated with Indigenous women, is a recluse, is academically intelligent. These are factors for a serial killer. Things are piecing together, & it seems that regardless of the next steps, the oil deal will likely not go through. Esp with Mayor Taylor’s reputation destroyed

It makes sense that Bernard is the serial killer, & Holder is also some sort of violent man/potential killer. Holder would do anything for his wealth & to “soothe” his trauma from poverty. Including killing Chenoa to keep the news of the endangered species quiet & let the oil deal proceed. But now he may have killed the mayor, or at least she’ll wake up knowing he tried to. Bernard has been foreshadowed-

I believe Starr will catch up to Chenoa; idk if it’ll be too late to save her though. I think Minkey is innocent. It’s probably Holder.

Junior had a memory lapse the night Sherry Ann was murdered, & he was at the murder site too. If the supernatural is to be believed, this leads me to think that he was possessed by the judgmental spirit of Deer Woman. But she wouldn’t hurt innocent Indigenous women, so what happened? Minkey is suspicious, could potentially be in lieu with the mayor. Holder too obviously. Bernard’s intentions are still mysterious

This reminds me of The Only Good Indians which I previsouly enjoyed.

Deer Woman seems like a real possibility & the supernatural may exist in this universe. There seems to be an evil human murderer + the vigilante spirit of DW. I think there’s probably a Dexter Springs person preying on the young Indigenous women. But DW seems real, & I think Starr will encounter her in a judgement moment, bc she has unresolved issues she hasn’t done penance for. Minkey is suspicious & untruthful

-value the people living there or the natural environment (which in turn also negatively impacts the citizens). I liked the symbolism that Chenoa was looking for an endangered species; considering the Indigenous people of this rez are becoming more endangered by this greedy company. I also always love abrasive, kinda shitty female characters. Starr’s got in trouble bc she shot a man (in defense of her daughter?)

Really enjoying this so far! The writing is evocative & immersive, & the setup has kept me intrigued. I know a bit about missing cases of indigenous women, & how they’re largely disregarded/under-investigated (this was one of my 1st articles that I wrote in college). I also can understand the premise of an oil drilling company trying to overtake the reservation land, which would “bring in money,” but not-