The Cold Dish

Four white high school students lure a female American Indian high schooler to a meeting and rape her in a cruel and brutal manner. The woman, Melissa Little Bird, suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome and her reasoning powers are impaired.

The trial ends with a ridiculous sentence of two years suspended and then probation. The Indian community is incensed with the light sentence.

Two years later, the ring leader is found dead. Sheriff Walt Longmire is attempting to make sense out of the killing of one of the rapists when another of the boy is killed in the same manner. Now Walt knows he's dealing with a revenge killing and wonders why the killer waited two years and if he can protect the other two boys.

We follow the story with interesting characters and crisp dialogue. It is an interesting start with very colorful characters led by Longmire and his undersheriff, the foul language using Vik.  It is easy to see why this character was the central character in the TV drama "Longmire." 

Walt is a boozhound living in a home he built years ago but stopped when his wife died. The home is unfinished and doesn't even have a door to the bathroom.  As a Vietnam vet, Walt must be in his  sixties so is a hero for many senior citizens. His friend, Henry Standing Bear is trying to fix him up and encourage him to begin dating. We also learn that there are other women in town interested in Walt as a partner.

The conclusion is long in coming.

All in all, there were many well done scenes and the description of the countryside was well done. It is easy to see why this author is having success with his future works.