There is unrest on
the San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona in the late 1800s as some are agitating
for the Indians to unite and leave. There are rumors that those chiefs who
oppose leaving will be killed. That includes Geronimo who was just shot as Geronimo
Must Die by J. R. Lindermuth begins.
Mickey Free, whose
mixed race ancestry is uncertain and was raised among the White Mountain
Apaches, does not think the shooting at Geronimo was faked, though others,
including his superiors, certainly do. Serving as a scout for the U.S. Army,
Mickey moves about the reservation quietly drifting through the camps of the
various groups while listening to what is being said. It is a dangerous
practice at the best of times, and far more dangerous now as some actively work
against peace.
Before long, Mickey Free
has a contact among those in the rebellion and begins to work at the edges of
the conspiracy against Geronimo and others. As he slowly works his way closer
to the discovering the elusive identity of the person behind the conspiracy, he
increasingly puts his own life at stake. Having saved Geronimo twice before,
the third time may not be the charm for either one of them.
Along with the
mystery at work in Geronimo must die, there is plenty about the history and
political situation for the Indians on the reservations. While San Carlos is
the location, these same issues existed elsewhere throughout the country. This
social commentary, often delivered from Mickey’s perspective, serves to enhance
the mystery.
Geronimo Must Die is a solidly good western from J. R.
Lindermuth. As in other books from this author, while the genre is primarily western,
there is a strong mystery element that runs throughout the work. Complex and
nuanced this western has fully developed characters, a complicated mystery, a
hint of romance, and plenty of history that brings the book alive for the
reader. Geronimo Must Die is another very good read from author J. R.
Lindermuth and well worth your time.
Geronimo Must Die
J. R. Lindermuth
Sundown Press
March 2017
ISBN# 978-1544076515
eBook (also available in paperback)
104 Pages
$2.99
Material supplied by the author quite
some time ago in exchange for my objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2017
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