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Looking for Smoke
Since moving to the Blackfeet Reservation with her parents, Mara Racette has felt like an outsider, taunted by her tight-knit classmates for growing up far away. So, when a local girl includes Mara in a traditional Blackfeet Giveaway to honor her missing sister, Mara thinks she’ll finally make some friends.
Instead, a girl from the Giveaway, Samantha White Tail, is found murdered.
Because the members of the Giveaway group were the last to see Samantha alive, each becomes a person of interest in the investigation:
New-girl Mara, who hated Samantha for being particularly cruel.
Grief-stricken Loren Arnoux, who was Samantha’s best friend until her sister’s disappearance drove a wedge between them.
Class-clown Brody Clark, whose unreciprocated crush on Samantha is an open secret.
And tough-guy Eli First Kill, who has his own complicated history with Samantha.
Despite deep mistrust, the four must now take matters into their own hands and clear their names. Even though one of them may be the murderer.
In her powerful debut novel, Looking for Smoke, author K. A. Cobell (Blackfeet) weaves loss, betrayal, and complex characters into a mystery that will illuminate, surprise, and engage readers until the final word.
Instead, a girl from the Giveaway, Samantha White Tail, is found murdered.
Because the members of the Giveaway group were the last to see Samantha alive, each becomes a person of interest in the investigation:
New-girl Mara, who hated Samantha for being particularly cruel.
Grief-stricken Loren Arnoux, who was Samantha’s best friend until her sister’s disappearance drove a wedge between them.
Class-clown Brody Clark, whose unreciprocated crush on Samantha is an open secret.
And tough-guy Eli First Kill, who has his own complicated history with Samantha.
Despite deep mistrust, the four must now take matters into their own hands and clear their names. Even though one of them may be the murderer.
In her powerful debut novel, Looking for Smoke, author K. A. Cobell (Blackfeet) weaves loss, betrayal, and complex characters into a mystery that will illuminate, surprise, and engage readers until the final word.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2024
570 people are currently reading
34830 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Cobell
2 books218 followersK.A. Cobell, Staa’tssipisstaakii, is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation and currently lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she spends her time writing books, chasing her kids through the never-ending rain, and scouring the inlet beaches for sand dollars and hermit crabs. LOOKING FOR SMOKE, a Reese's Book Club pick, is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 949 reviews
September 18, 2024
Looking for Smoke is such a beautiful thriller, with heart wrenching realistic themes, paralleling the experience of indigenous women. To read about grief’s dual role in deteriorating one’s emotional health while simultaneously being a catalyst in resilience-building inspired me in so many ways.
The exposition of the different movements/projects (MMIW and the Two Feather Project), the Blackfeet festivities, and the different garments and accessories native to the indigenous culture really immersed me into this story. I felt my appreciation rise every time someone’s outfit was meticulously described.
Now, I want to talk about the themes:
The indigeneity throughout this book is met with a heavy, but intriguing tone. Seeing tradegies’ impact on the present communities and families was one thing, but realizing pain, trauma, confusion, and depression as a generational motif for these them, (dating back to the 1490s), adds another layer of depth to the indigenous experience. I will add though, the offender of these murders being of the same community was an interesting take.
This book illustrates the dichotomy of subjugation, where systems that are built to protect and seek out justice for communities in need are met with strong distrust for these systems. Even from the reader’s perspective, there were many instances throughout the book where the police department and enforcement seemed to not take these missing/murder cases seriously; nevertheless, this is a perfect plot device because K. A. Cobell drove these point-of-view chapters forward in such a great paced, edge-of-my-seat, thriller fashion.
This novel lays out the multilayered process of coping, where in Loren’s case, being the sister and friend to the murdered victims in the book, broke the linear bounds of grief with nuance. Tragedies of intimate death become linked fate, affecting not only the immediate family of these victims, but also the consciousness of everyone in the indigenous community.
Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this and can’t wait for more releases from Cobell. I feel the best books you read are the ones that you didn’t plan on reading. Somehow they weave their way into your life and change your perspective in so many ways. I love when a debut novel hits! A new author and book to recommend and rave about!
The exposition of the different movements/projects (MMIW and the Two Feather Project), the Blackfeet festivities, and the different garments and accessories native to the indigenous culture really immersed me into this story. I felt my appreciation rise every time someone’s outfit was meticulously described.
Now, I want to talk about the themes:
The indigeneity throughout this book is met with a heavy, but intriguing tone. Seeing tradegies’ impact on the present communities and families was one thing, but realizing pain, trauma, confusion, and depression as a generational motif for these them, (dating back to the 1490s), adds another layer of depth to the indigenous experience. I will add though, the offender of these murders being of the same community was an interesting take.
This book illustrates the dichotomy of subjugation, where systems that are built to protect and seek out justice for communities in need are met with strong distrust for these systems. Even from the reader’s perspective, there were many instances throughout the book where the police department and enforcement seemed to not take these missing/murder cases seriously; nevertheless, this is a perfect plot device because K. A. Cobell drove these point-of-view chapters forward in such a great paced, edge-of-my-seat, thriller fashion.
This novel lays out the multilayered process of coping, where in Loren’s case, being the sister and friend to the murdered victims in the book, broke the linear bounds of grief with nuance. Tragedies of intimate death become linked fate, affecting not only the immediate family of these victims, but also the consciousness of everyone in the indigenous community.
Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this and can’t wait for more releases from Cobell. I feel the best books you read are the ones that you didn’t plan on reading. Somehow they weave their way into your life and change your perspective in so many ways. I love when a debut novel hits! A new author and book to recommend and rave about!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2024
Reading for the Native American Heritage month
Sorry, it didn't work
I really wanted to like this book especially since it "wanted to shine a critical issue" which the MMIW (Missing and Murder of Indeginous Women)
But it just didn't hit
It went round and round and round
Suspecting everybody
And that reveal at the end did not make sense at all
Sorry, it didn't work
I really wanted to like this book especially since it "wanted to shine a critical issue" which the MMIW (Missing and Murder of Indeginous Women)
But it just didn't hit
It went round and round and round
Suspecting everybody
And that reveal at the end did not make sense at all
March 18, 2024
The second I saw this book's cover, I knew I had to read it. Coupled with the fact that this is a murder mystery inspired by the real Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement and an OwnVoices story from an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation, I couldn't request this ARC fast enough.
I greatly enjoyed this story and felt that the author's ability to bring the reader into the culture of the Blackfeet was specifically exceptional. The story opens on the annual Indian Days celebration, which is a days-long festival that highlights the cultural traditions of the tribe. I was immediately pulled into the powwow, with the descriptions of the dancers and atmosphere creating an immediate, vivid image of the festivities.
The event that really sets off our story is a Giveaway, where members of a family that have suffered a recent loss honor their loved one by passing our gifts to the community. The Arnoux family has lost a grandfather and a daughter, with Rayanne Arnoux's disappearance still unsolved. Despite being new to the area and being only half Blackfeet, Maura is pulled into the Giveaway by Loren, Rayanne's sister, putting her squarely in the eye of suspicion when another young girl is found murdered after the event.
The story shifts perspectives between four teens; Maura, Loren, Eli, and Brody. Throughout the course of the story, you will suspect every single one of them, plus more characters on the side. The way this story and mystery are weaved truly had be questioning the culprit until very close to the end. I love when a story can keep the solution hidden without it feeling like the reader was deprived important information, and that is absolutely done here.
The story is definitely a slow burn and my one issue with it was the pacing. While the story does flow nicely in the first 25% and final ~30%, the middle of the book can feel slow at times. While some chapters introduce new information or build character relationships, some chapters rehash old information repeatedly and really only result in the POV character pointing fingers at someone else. Those chapters made me feel restless and I admit that I skimmed several chapters once it was clear that nothing new was going to be forthcoming.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book and I would absolutely recommend it to others. Actual teenaged readers might find themselves having a hard time getting through the middle of the book, but as an adult, I'm a bit more patient and willing to work through the slower parts to get to the resolution. Thanks very much to NetGalley and the publisher for this DRC!
I greatly enjoyed this story and felt that the author's ability to bring the reader into the culture of the Blackfeet was specifically exceptional. The story opens on the annual Indian Days celebration, which is a days-long festival that highlights the cultural traditions of the tribe. I was immediately pulled into the powwow, with the descriptions of the dancers and atmosphere creating an immediate, vivid image of the festivities.
The event that really sets off our story is a Giveaway, where members of a family that have suffered a recent loss honor their loved one by passing our gifts to the community. The Arnoux family has lost a grandfather and a daughter, with Rayanne Arnoux's disappearance still unsolved. Despite being new to the area and being only half Blackfeet, Maura is pulled into the Giveaway by Loren, Rayanne's sister, putting her squarely in the eye of suspicion when another young girl is found murdered after the event.
The story shifts perspectives between four teens; Maura, Loren, Eli, and Brody. Throughout the course of the story, you will suspect every single one of them, plus more characters on the side. The way this story and mystery are weaved truly had be questioning the culprit until very close to the end. I love when a story can keep the solution hidden without it feeling like the reader was deprived important information, and that is absolutely done here.
The story is definitely a slow burn and my one issue with it was the pacing. While the story does flow nicely in the first 25% and final ~30%, the middle of the book can feel slow at times. While some chapters introduce new information or build character relationships, some chapters rehash old information repeatedly and really only result in the POV character pointing fingers at someone else. Those chapters made me feel restless and I admit that I skimmed several chapters once it was clear that nothing new was going to be forthcoming.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable book and I would absolutely recommend it to others. Actual teenaged readers might find themselves having a hard time getting through the middle of the book, but as an adult, I'm a bit more patient and willing to work through the slower parts to get to the resolution. Thanks very much to NetGalley and the publisher for this DRC!
October 8, 2024
I think there are a lot of thoughts I’m having around this book and I don’t know if I’ll ever fully understand why I feel so meh about it
September 13, 2024
“Hopefully awareness will spread. She waves her fan of eagle feather in the air to the drum beat, her braids bouncing against her chest in the same rhythm. The jingle dress dance brings healing. She’s dancing for Samantha’s family and for her own. She’s dancing for our community, for our tribe, for all the other tribes battling the epidemic of missing and murdered indigenous women. She’s dancing for all of the stolen sisters out there.”
During the annual Indian Days celebration on the Blackfeet Reservation, a group of teenagers become suspects for a murdered teenager just months after another teenage girl went missing. Looking For Smoke is a multiple POV YA thriller that follows the teens as they jump into action to solve the mystery because they can’t put any trust into the authorities. They don’t know who to believe when one of their own may be the culprit. Everything takes place within a week or two in a whirlwind. Not only is this book entertaining, the type to keep you on the edge of your seat, but it also sheds light on the very serious issue of the extremely high rate of Indigenous women and girls that go missing and/or face violence and murder. This is one of the most important books I’ve read this year, and I hope you all will read it and educate yourselves about this epidemic. You can visit kacobell.com or follow the #MMIW hashtag for more information and resources.
During the annual Indian Days celebration on the Blackfeet Reservation, a group of teenagers become suspects for a murdered teenager just months after another teenage girl went missing. Looking For Smoke is a multiple POV YA thriller that follows the teens as they jump into action to solve the mystery because they can’t put any trust into the authorities. They don’t know who to believe when one of their own may be the culprit. Everything takes place within a week or two in a whirlwind. Not only is this book entertaining, the type to keep you on the edge of your seat, but it also sheds light on the very serious issue of the extremely high rate of Indigenous women and girls that go missing and/or face violence and murder. This is one of the most important books I’ve read this year, and I hope you all will read it and educate yourselves about this epidemic. You can visit kacobell.com or follow the #MMIW hashtag for more information and resources.
August 23, 2024
“Looking for Smoke” is a story that is unique, enlightening, as well as riveting in so many ways! First, it’s characters are Native American, which is wonderful and refreshing on its own. As someone who has grown up with, loved and taught many in the Native American tribes, I found the characters, situations and the world described to be surprisingly accurate and realistic. Plus, it deals with the abhorrent fact that a horrifically large number of Native American girls and women are murdered each year and either the cases are never solved and/or the women are never found. This problem has been known and talked about for as long as I can remember but it never seems to get better! It is most often just blamed on the loopholes in the law between the U.S. and the reservations, then forgotten.
That is why this story is so important. If FINALLY shines at least a little light on the plight of NA women while weaving a fictional murder mystery within the world of the Blackfeet reservation. The author focuses on a group of teenagers, giving each their own point of view as they first deal with a missing older sibling, and then the death of one of their own. While continually switching between four different POVs does slow the reading down considerably, it allows for much added depth of understanding, as well. It also keeps one on their toes as each becomes a suspect in their own way.
There are twists and turns that are completely surprising and lead in so many different directions that even the best sleuth might be surprised! Admittedly, there are still a few threads left hanging (what happened to all the paraphernalia in the storage barn?) and the ending could have been given a bit more time to answer questions such as where the rifle and/or all the fingerprints went and if the actual truth was ever told, etc. But even so, it is a reading ride that is definitely worth taking. Kudos to Ms. Cobell for tackling such difficult subject matter in such a compelling way!
That is why this story is so important. If FINALLY shines at least a little light on the plight of NA women while weaving a fictional murder mystery within the world of the Blackfeet reservation. The author focuses on a group of teenagers, giving each their own point of view as they first deal with a missing older sibling, and then the death of one of their own. While continually switching between four different POVs does slow the reading down considerably, it allows for much added depth of understanding, as well. It also keeps one on their toes as each becomes a suspect in their own way.
There are twists and turns that are completely surprising and lead in so many different directions that even the best sleuth might be surprised! Admittedly, there are still a few threads left hanging (what happened to all the paraphernalia in the storage barn?) and the ending could have been given a bit more time to answer questions such as where the rifle and/or all the fingerprints went and if the actual truth was ever told, etc. But even so, it is a reading ride that is definitely worth taking. Kudos to Ms. Cobell for tackling such difficult subject matter in such a compelling way!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
Did Not Finish--13 percent.
I was just lost from the very beginning. The book jumps around too much and then we start reading about an episode (podcast) around the 13 percent mark and I just gave up. I don't know what is happening to who or why, but I think if Cobell had just stayed with one main character I could have gotten into this much faster. It was too hard to figure out who is doing what to whom.
"Looking for Smoke" follows four teens who are central to a murdered girl that is found on a reservation. We start off following a teen named Mara and from there it shifts to the other teens, Brody, Loren, and someone named Eli and then unknown.
As I said, there was way too much happening for me to focus on. I think the teens, with the dates and times included and then the podcast or whatever episode we are getting was way too much. I didn't get to settle into the story at all.
I was just lost from the very beginning. The book jumps around too much and then we start reading about an episode (podcast) around the 13 percent mark and I just gave up. I don't know what is happening to who or why, but I think if Cobell had just stayed with one main character I could have gotten into this much faster. It was too hard to figure out who is doing what to whom.
"Looking for Smoke" follows four teens who are central to a murdered girl that is found on a reservation. We start off following a teen named Mara and from there it shifts to the other teens, Brody, Loren, and someone named Eli and then unknown.
As I said, there was way too much happening for me to focus on. I think the teens, with the dates and times included and then the podcast or whatever episode we are getting was way too much. I didn't get to settle into the story at all.
August 15, 2024
WOW. incredible writing. incredible story. important issues. highly recommend.
July 3, 2024
What a great debut that wanted to shed light on what happens to missing indigenous women. The story does start out slow, but as the ball gets rolling you become engrossed in each of the four teenager's lives. It's crazy to hear what they had to go through, and even though this was a fictional story I'm sure some of these things truly do happen! I'd highly recommend, especially if you want to read more about indigenous peoples.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 6, 2024
Looking for Smoke by K.A. Cobell
Thank you so much @BookSparks #SRC2024 #GameSetRead
Blurb:
In her powerful debut novel, Looking for Smoke, author K. A. Cobell (Blackfeet) weaves loss, betrayal, and complex characters into a thriller that will illuminate, surprise, and engage readers until the final word.
✨ My thoughts:
This story is all consuming and trust me, you will not want to put it down. It’s engaging and entertaining as all hell, sure. But it also sheds lights on how broke the justice system is, making this also a frustrating and heartbreaking read. This is a work of fiction but these stories happen in real life so just be prepared to fell all of the things. I loved the multiple POVs, I felt like it made for a deeper story than I was anticipating and I am here for all of the layers this book has to offer. It’s the cover that’ll draw you in and the twists that’ll keep your eyes glued to the pages. Don’t be surprised when you find yourself immersed in these pages, only to realize you forgot to come up for air. This is a book you’ll want to read this year, Looking for Smoke is out NOW!
Happy reading 📖
Thank you so much @BookSparks #SRC2024 #GameSetRead
Blurb:
In her powerful debut novel, Looking for Smoke, author K. A. Cobell (Blackfeet) weaves loss, betrayal, and complex characters into a thriller that will illuminate, surprise, and engage readers until the final word.
✨ My thoughts:
This story is all consuming and trust me, you will not want to put it down. It’s engaging and entertaining as all hell, sure. But it also sheds lights on how broke the justice system is, making this also a frustrating and heartbreaking read. This is a work of fiction but these stories happen in real life so just be prepared to fell all of the things. I loved the multiple POVs, I felt like it made for a deeper story than I was anticipating and I am here for all of the layers this book has to offer. It’s the cover that’ll draw you in and the twists that’ll keep your eyes glued to the pages. Don’t be surprised when you find yourself immersed in these pages, only to realize you forgot to come up for air. This is a book you’ll want to read this year, Looking for Smoke is out NOW!
Happy reading 📖
July 3, 2024
I don’t read a lot of thrillers, but when I do, it’s for sure I will have ZERO idea who the killer is until it’s finally revealed 😂.
Now, I felt like this was a bit slow for a mystery/thriller. There were a lot of side plots going on, but it’s YA so we have to have a little romance and family drama.
There were also a lot of POV and sometimes that was hard to keep track of. We get like four people’s POV throughout the novel.
The ending though? Solid. At first I thought they were going to leave us hanging with a loose thread but nope, wrapped up in a perfect bow.
This was well written and had me guessing the entire time. The reveal threw me cause I was NOT expecting it.
If you like thrillers I recommend picking this one up!
Now, I felt like this was a bit slow for a mystery/thriller. There were a lot of side plots going on, but it’s YA so we have to have a little romance and family drama.
There were also a lot of POV and sometimes that was hard to keep track of. We get like four people’s POV throughout the novel.
The ending though? Solid. At first I thought they were going to leave us hanging with a loose thread but nope, wrapped up in a perfect bow.
This was well written and had me guessing the entire time. The reveal threw me cause I was NOT expecting it.
If you like thrillers I recommend picking this one up!
July 12, 2024
What an amazing and thrilling summer read! This book addresses several sensitive topics in an informative and respectful way and masterfully intertwines mystery and the pressing reality of the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Woman movement. The multiple points of view in this story slowly reveal the secrets of this tight-knit community and will have you gripping the edge of your seat.
July 24, 2024
3.5
Classic whodunnit solved by some teens. Enjoyable but not phenomenal
Classic whodunnit solved by some teens. Enjoyable but not phenomenal
July 18, 2024
If you care about anything at all, let it be about the ongoing awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
• Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence
•Indigenous women make up 16% of all female homicide victims, and 11% of missing women
Indigenous women are twice as likely to experience violence from their current or former partner
•Native American women's bodies are 135% more likely to be unidentified than the bodies of women of other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S.
So yes, this book is vital. A great YA to open the conversation to anyone interested 👏🏼
• Indigenous women are four times more likely than non-Indigenous women to be victims of violence
•Indigenous women make up 16% of all female homicide victims, and 11% of missing women
Indigenous women are twice as likely to experience violence from their current or former partner
•Native American women's bodies are 135% more likely to be unidentified than the bodies of women of other racial or ethnic groups in the U.S.
So yes, this book is vital. A great YA to open the conversation to anyone interested 👏🏼
July 31, 2025
Heartbreaking, eye-opening and so well written! I truly admire the author for her dedication to bring awareness to a big issue in her community and frankly all over our country that needs to be more well known and talked about. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women or MMIW. I think if you have not heard of this movement and the tragedies related to it, you should check out this resource: https://www.nativehope.org/missing-an... also read this book! I highly recommend it
August 28, 2024
Great premise; not very well executed
January 2, 2026
Okay, I've wanted to read this for a while and then finally decided to jump into the audiobook today. First off, the cover looks absolutely gorgeous and I was very excited to learn something new. Plus, I enjoy mystery thrillers so much. There are definitely things I loved about this book - like the characters (well, not all of them...) - but the overall mystery felt like such a backburner at times. AND YET, I still wanted to see if I could figure things out before they were revealed.
I definitely loved the audiobook so much. Never felt bored once and just really enjoyed the narrators. The police frustrated me so much but it was also realistic as fuck how they weren't really helpful or listening to anything. Like in one book I read recently, the truth doesn't matter. I mean it sure as shit does but people will always believe whatever they want in the end.
This book also dove into some hard, but very important, topics. Some of it can be hard to digest too. It's worth it in the end though and I'm really happy that I downloaded this. Will definitely be looking into other books written by K.A. Cobell.
I definitely loved the audiobook so much. Never felt bored once and just really enjoyed the narrators. The police frustrated me so much but it was also realistic as fuck how they weren't really helpful or listening to anything. Like in one book I read recently, the truth doesn't matter. I mean it sure as shit does but people will always believe whatever they want in the end.
This book also dove into some hard, but very important, topics. Some of it can be hard to digest too. It's worth it in the end though and I'm really happy that I downloaded this. Will definitely be looking into other books written by K.A. Cobell.
November 4, 2025
My first Book Club book for my new job. I have decided I will devour any literature involving MMIW. Having worked in a school with a majority of my students being Native American, books like this hit me in my core.
This book was beautifully done. I will say it did go a way I was unsure of, and the ending wasn't what I expected, but I really enjoyed the story and the message.
This book was beautifully done. I will say it did go a way I was unsure of, and the ending wasn't what I expected, but I really enjoyed the story and the message.
June 11, 2024
This was a moving #ownvoices YA debut from a member of the Blackfeet Nation that focuses on the real life problem of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW).
Told from multiple POVs, this was a layered, compelling and twisty murder mystery that sees different teens trying to prove their innocence when the body of a girl they were all last seen with turns up dead.
Great on audio, with a fantastic cover, this book is perfect for fans of true crime podcasts and authors like Angeline Boulley and Jen Ferguson. Highly recommended and I can't wait to read more from this promising new writer!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
Told from multiple POVs, this was a layered, compelling and twisty murder mystery that sees different teens trying to prove their innocence when the body of a girl they were all last seen with turns up dead.
Great on audio, with a fantastic cover, this book is perfect for fans of true crime podcasts and authors like Angeline Boulley and Jen Ferguson. Highly recommended and I can't wait to read more from this promising new writer!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 6, 2024
4.5 Stars
This book was engrossing, and unputdownable. Told from the perspectives of 4 Indigenous (Blackfeet) teens, this book starts off at “Indian Days”, a festival celebrating and honouring the Blackfeet culture and community. A teenage girl from this community has been missing for months, and her sister, their childhood friends, and new girl, Mara, get swept up in the current of a dangerous mystery, when another teen girl is found dead during the festival, and the four of them are among the prime suspects.
Tense and intense, this book will have you at the edge of your seat. The story is so immersive, you’ll suddenly look up and realize you’ve stayed up 2 hours past your bedtime. The characters are all so compelling and flawed and deeply humanly imperfect. There were so many twists and turns, and I really did NOT see most of them coming. It’s a long and dense book, packed full of a LOT of story, but despite that, there were a few threads I wish we’d been able to follow a bit more, and a few storylines I wish we’d seen develop more. This was an excellent debut that tackles themes of grief, loss, trauma, identity, responsibility, and more. I can’t wait to read more from the author.
This is a story about MMIWG (Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls), an epidemic that is not taken seriously enough, or given the care or consideration it deserves. This is a story about the people who are forgotten, or left behind in the legacies of trauma, pain, racism, and colonialism. As such, it covers some difficult, complex, and painful topics, and was occasionally hard to read.
Content warnings for racism, (attempted) sexual assault, child abandonment, murders, death, violence, blood, colonialism, violence against animals, and more.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest feedback.
This book was engrossing, and unputdownable. Told from the perspectives of 4 Indigenous (Blackfeet) teens, this book starts off at “Indian Days”, a festival celebrating and honouring the Blackfeet culture and community. A teenage girl from this community has been missing for months, and her sister, their childhood friends, and new girl, Mara, get swept up in the current of a dangerous mystery, when another teen girl is found dead during the festival, and the four of them are among the prime suspects.
Tense and intense, this book will have you at the edge of your seat. The story is so immersive, you’ll suddenly look up and realize you’ve stayed up 2 hours past your bedtime. The characters are all so compelling and flawed and deeply humanly imperfect. There were so many twists and turns, and I really did NOT see most of them coming. It’s a long and dense book, packed full of a LOT of story, but despite that, there were a few threads I wish we’d been able to follow a bit more, and a few storylines I wish we’d seen develop more. This was an excellent debut that tackles themes of grief, loss, trauma, identity, responsibility, and more. I can’t wait to read more from the author.
This is a story about MMIWG (Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls), an epidemic that is not taken seriously enough, or given the care or consideration it deserves. This is a story about the people who are forgotten, or left behind in the legacies of trauma, pain, racism, and colonialism. As such, it covers some difficult, complex, and painful topics, and was occasionally hard to read.
Content warnings for racism, (attempted) sexual assault, child abandonment, murders, death, violence, blood, colonialism, violence against animals, and more.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest feedback.
July 27, 2024
Moving, powerful, informative, and emotionally charged YA thriller about four Indigenous teens from the Blackfeet Nation, who find themselves at the center of a murder investigation for one of their classmates while still grieving the loss of another classmate/sister. The themes about identity, belonging, community, inequality and justice. This book raises awareness of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis. Deeply impactful debut novel by K.A. Cobell.
October 21, 2024
I just wasn’t prepared for the last chapter.
This was so so so good!
This was so so so good!
February 2, 2025
I started this for the mystery and the awareness around Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women but I stayed for the characters and their relationships.
This is a strong debut - well written, characters I love, a compelling mystery. I liked that we had so many POV that really balanced out the story - gave us all the sides and kept me, the reader, wondering how this would all conclude.
I loved how they worked together, were torn apart, some were distrustful but then leaned on some of the longer relationships and connections they had. I loved the feel of community but also of the isolation of that community, the way the police and others weren't really helping or willing to listen.
The audiobook with multiple narrators really pulled me in and the well-written plot kept me guessing until the end. I'm so glad I gave this one a try, it was so good!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This is a strong debut - well written, characters I love, a compelling mystery. I liked that we had so many POV that really balanced out the story - gave us all the sides and kept me, the reader, wondering how this would all conclude.
I loved how they worked together, were torn apart, some were distrustful but then leaned on some of the longer relationships and connections they had. I loved the feel of community but also of the isolation of that community, the way the police and others weren't really helping or willing to listen.
The audiobook with multiple narrators really pulled me in and the well-written plot kept me guessing until the end. I'm so glad I gave this one a try, it was so good!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
July 1, 2024
damn this was good. the writing, the atmosphere, the styling - something about the author's choice of sentence structure kept me hooked the whole time and unable to put it down.
also that ending though??? I really look forward to more stories from Cobell.
also that ending though??? I really look forward to more stories from Cobell.
January 10, 2025
*audiobook
July 23, 2024
4.5 stars
This book came out of nowhere and caught me completely off guard in the best way possible. The slow burn of the mystery was matched by its unparalleled and realistic setting. You could breathe in the atmosphere immediately and it set the tone perfectly. The real issue of MMIW is a fantastic backdrop for this modern day thriller. My only thing was I couldn't keep up with the twists! Not a bad thing, my brain just needs to be faster. Would highly recommend to anyone of any age looking for a story with a strong message and even better mystery. Plus that last chapter. Chef's kiss perfection!
This book came out of nowhere and caught me completely off guard in the best way possible. The slow burn of the mystery was matched by its unparalleled and realistic setting. You could breathe in the atmosphere immediately and it set the tone perfectly. The real issue of MMIW is a fantastic backdrop for this modern day thriller. My only thing was I couldn't keep up with the twists! Not a bad thing, my brain just needs to be faster. Would highly recommend to anyone of any age looking for a story with a strong message and even better mystery. Plus that last chapter. Chef's kiss perfection!
July 15, 2024
A YA mystery with all kinds of drama?
Okay, I'll bite.
This starts out with a bang and never really lets go.
Rich characters with a community tied together and yet sparse, all very well developed.
I was guessing who done it right till the end.
Much love to FrenzyBooks and Harper Collins Canada for my ARC.
Okay, I'll bite.
This starts out with a bang and never really lets go.
Rich characters with a community tied together and yet sparse, all very well developed.
I was guessing who done it right till the end.
Much love to FrenzyBooks and Harper Collins Canada for my ARC.
November 10, 2024
A moving YA novel that weaves a suspenseful fictional story with factual Native customs and folklore, as well as the tragic reality of the MMIWG2S movement. The statistics are staggering, and not enough is done to bring to light the tragedy that continues to plague indigenous families of this nation, First Nations and indigenous Alaskans.
January 5, 2025
I picked this up as a potential option for Indigenous book clubs this spring for my 10th graders. It was hard to follow at first because of the switching povs, but once I got deeper into the story, I enjoyed the journey and fell in love with the characters. It shed light on the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in a tactical way and taught me about Blackfeet Nation without feeling too teachy or preachy.
August 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Influenced by @readingmiddlegrade again! This is exactly my type of mystery, and I was wrapped up in it. On a Blackfeet reservation reeling from the disappearance of Rayann Arnoux, trouble strikes again when another teen is murdered at a large gathering. The two events must be linked, and as the girls’ friends dig into the case that local law enforcement can’t - or won’t? - solve, everyone they know may be a suspect. Hand to 7th/8th grade readers and up.
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