Book description
One Book, One Minnesota Selection for Summer 2021
Introducing Cash Blackbear, a young Ojibwe woman whose visions and grit help solve a brutal murder in this award-winning debut.
1970s, Red River Valley between North Dakota and Minnesota: Renee “Cash” Blackbear is 19 years old and tough as nails. She lives…
Why read it?
3 authors picked Murder on the Red River as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
The unique protagonist is the main reason I loved this novel. Cash Blackbear is a young Objibwe woman in North Dakota with a strong sixth sense that leads her to clues. Cash gets visions that she can’t ignore. She teams with local Sheriff Wheaton, who trusts her insights even though he doesn’t understand them. Wheaton has been a father figure/mentor since she was a child left adrift in one abusive foster home after another.
I loved their sometimes awkward yet tender interactions. The author, who is Native American, expertly weaves in the rich tapestry of American indigenous culture and life.…
From Lynn's list on psychic sleuths supernatural and fantasy creatures.
Murder on the Red River is a historical mystery set in 1970s Fargo and western Minnesota.
The protagonist is a young Native American woman who is a grain truck driver and expert pool player. Cash grew up in a series of unhappy foster homes and is disconnected from her family. Her one constant is a sheriff who rescued her as a young child and continues to watch over her. Cash sometimes helps him solve cases.
Viet Nam is in the background. The racism, alcoholism, despair of Native Americans stuck in the reservation, and generational injustices of Native Americans keep the…
From Candace's list on historical stories with great character development.
We Americans are obsessed with mysteries from TV to Film to Books. And I am obsessed with the young sleuth, Cash Blackbear, the unlikely shero of Marcie R. Rendon. To date, there are three Blackbear mysteries: Murder on the Red River, Girl Gone Missing, and Sinister Graves. Blackbear did not have an enchanted childhood, but she not only survives—she thrives and solves cases with the astuteness, curiosity, and moxie of the most seasoned detective. Set in Northern Minnesota in the 1970s, the series heroine is 19, totally independent, hard-working, and somewhat of a pool hustler. Her one friend, Sherriff…
From Yvonne's list on unlearning stereotypes about Indigenous peoples.
If you love Murder on the Red River...
December on 5C4
Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!
On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…
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