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Emily Etcitty #1
Key Witness
Heading west for the serene deserts of New Mexico with his three-legged dog, Patch, Abe Freeman hopes to escape the memories of his girlfriend’s lost battle with cancer. He expects his cross-country journey to be healing, not life-threatening. And he definitely doesn’t plan to wind up as the main suspect when a drifter he meets along the way, Easy Jackson, gets murdered.
When Abe’s lost knife turns up at the crime scene and Easy’s key appears in Abe’s backpack, Abe finds himself hunted by the police, biker gangs, and drug dealers, all of whom are determined to get their hands on that key. Caught up in the violence, Abe becomes desperate to prove his innocence. With help from Navajo police officer Emily Etcitty, he just might survive…and his heart just might find another reason to keep on beating.
When Abe’s lost knife turns up at the crime scene and Easy’s key appears in Abe’s backpack, Abe finds himself hunted by the police, biker gangs, and drug dealers, all of whom are determined to get their hands on that key. Caught up in the violence, Abe becomes desperate to prove his innocence. With help from Navajo police officer Emily Etcitty, he just might survive…and his heart just might find another reason to keep on beating.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2014
263 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Bolton
9 books25 followersSandra Bolton writes mysteries and police procedurals about the people and places she has come to know and love. Extensive travels and a teaching career that spans over twenty-five years with diverse populations provide a feeling of authenticity to her novels. Key Witness and Abducted Innocence, books one and two of the Emily Etcitty Mysteries, published by Thomas and Mercer, take place in the starkly beautiful Four Corners area of New Mexico and on the remote Navajo Reservation. During her three years teaching on the reservation, she gained an appreciation for the Navajo people, their land, and traditions which she manages to weave seamlessly into her books. Her first novel, A Cipher in the Sand, centers around a Peace Corps volunteer’s harrowing experience with corruption and crime in Honduras where Sandra lived and worked for two years. She currently resides in northern New Mexico with her dog Sam, dividing her time between writing, hiking, and cooking great meals for friends. The third novel in her Emily Etcitty series is near completion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 4, 2015
Courtesy of NetGalley, publishers Amazon Publishing, Thomas & Mercer and author Sandra Bolton. Many thanks for making the advance copy of this book available to me at my request in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Key Witness is a murder mystery investigation involving multiple stakeholders, the Italian Mafia, the Mexican Mafia, the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang and a few others thrown in to make it a complete pot pouri.
As a murder mystery cum chase I would rate it just about 3. But what pushes the rating up 1 more star is the background scenes. The book is mainly based in the Navajo Nation. The author does an incredible job of describing and bringing the haunting landscape to life.
You experience the land through the eyes of the newbie in this case the protagonist Abe Freeman, who has embarked on a road trip to find himself after losing his girlfriend to cancer. He gets mixed up in a murder of a fellow drifter he chances across overnight and subsequently becomes a Key Witness in the whodunit.
Brought in by the female protagonist of the story Emily Etcity, he has to stay in the state so that he can give witness when required. Emily is a Navajo and she takes him on board to keep him out of the way.
The Native American landscape is drawn in haunting beauty and through the various characters living on the land, you can feel the pride, the sense of attachment and the love that they have for the land.
The connect and respect that the tribe people and their ways of life give a very profound and powerful message of communing with Nature in a world shadowed by consumerism.
IMO that lifted the quality of the book from Like to Love.
The ending leaves a unconcluded story of Abe Freeman, the murder mystery is solved, but Abe Freeman is still on the road to self discovery and he needs to find himself first and then deal with the relationship that he has with Emily and her family.
The book deserves a sequel. We deserve to see the story of Abe Freeman played out to the end.
Key Witness is a murder mystery investigation involving multiple stakeholders, the Italian Mafia, the Mexican Mafia, the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang and a few others thrown in to make it a complete pot pouri.
As a murder mystery cum chase I would rate it just about 3. But what pushes the rating up 1 more star is the background scenes. The book is mainly based in the Navajo Nation. The author does an incredible job of describing and bringing the haunting landscape to life.
You experience the land through the eyes of the newbie in this case the protagonist Abe Freeman, who has embarked on a road trip to find himself after losing his girlfriend to cancer. He gets mixed up in a murder of a fellow drifter he chances across overnight and subsequently becomes a Key Witness in the whodunit.
Brought in by the female protagonist of the story Emily Etcity, he has to stay in the state so that he can give witness when required. Emily is a Navajo and she takes him on board to keep him out of the way.
The Native American landscape is drawn in haunting beauty and through the various characters living on the land, you can feel the pride, the sense of attachment and the love that they have for the land.
The connect and respect that the tribe people and their ways of life give a very profound and powerful message of communing with Nature in a world shadowed by consumerism.
IMO that lifted the quality of the book from Like to Love.
The ending leaves a unconcluded story of Abe Freeman, the murder mystery is solved, but Abe Freeman is still on the road to self discovery and he needs to find himself first and then deal with the relationship that he has with Emily and her family.
The book deserves a sequel. We deserve to see the story of Abe Freeman played out to the end.
May 7, 2014
A Jewish musician from New York, a female cop with the Navajo Tribal Police, her unemployed, alcoholic, gay brother; a three-legged dog named Patch, and a "skinny, gray haired" nurse named Sally who boasts she can "shoot the short hairs off a pig's balls blindfolded." These are the main characters of Sandra Bolton's latest mystery, "Key Witness: A Southwest Mystery," who inadvertently become entangled with the Aryan Brotherhood and the Mexican Mafia. Not since Tony Hillerman have we seen a writer portray so well the stark beauty of the Southwest and the solitary lives of the Navajo, all woven onto a background of suspense and violence. I loved these characters and hope to see them again!
April 17, 2014
Good
the story line was well written.the lives of many different law enforcement were involved and the mof and gangs were so at war.
the story line was well written.the lives of many different law enforcement were involved and the mof and gangs were so at war.
December 28, 2015
Hold on, I'm *eating*.
EDIT: I have no idea why I didn't come back to write my review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review
4.5/5
This is the kind of book I would definitely shelf as Adventure
I love the characters - especially the diversity.
Abe was slightly stupid at some points but likeable.
The plot was great and it went in a steady pace. It was the kind of plot that was not predictable but not unexpected either. It travels the line in between.
The romance was cute but the way it took turns and twists were a bit saddening.
Aside from the characters, I love the setting too. Most of the time, I don't care much about the setting but Bolton has that kind of writing that pays attention to details which is captivating.
Overall, Key Witness is a bundle of adventure, thrill, diversity, and a little dash of romance. It went on a good pace and had great writing.
EDIT: I have no idea why I didn't come back to write my review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review
4.5/5
This is the kind of book I would definitely shelf as Adventure
I love the characters - especially the diversity.
Abe was slightly stupid at some points but likeable.
The plot was great and it went in a steady pace. It was the kind of plot that was not predictable but not unexpected either. It travels the line in between.
The romance was cute but the way it took turns and twists were a bit saddening.
Aside from the characters, I love the setting too. Most of the time, I don't care much about the setting but Bolton has that kind of writing that pays attention to details which is captivating.
Overall, Key Witness is a bundle of adventure, thrill, diversity, and a little dash of romance. It went on a good pace and had great writing.
June 18, 2015
Joe Freeman is drifting with his three-legged dog Patch, haunted by the loss of his girlfriend to cancer. Unfortunately, at a rest stop he gets mixed up into a major fracas involving the Mexican Mafia, the Aryan Brotherhood, not to mention being suspected of murder for a while--after all his knife was the murder weapon. Navajo police officer, Emily Etcity, suspects him, then helps him, and is exasperated with him. I very much liked the descriptions of the solitary Navajo life, their rich culture, and the beauty of the Southwest. In a way, this novel is reminiscent of the Tony Hillerman series, sharing the same locale and populace. The characters and the setting deserve more than two stars, but the overall storyline didn't make the grade.
March 14, 2017
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Heading west for the serene deserts of New Mexico with his three-legged dog, Patch, Abe Freeman hopes to escape the memories of his girlfriend’s lost battle with cancer. He expects his cross-country journey to be healing, not life-threatening. And he definitely doesn’t plan to wind up as the main suspect when a drifter he meets along the way, Easy Jackson, gets murdered.
When Abe’s lost knife turns up at the crime scene and Easy’s key appears in Abe’s backpack, Abe finds himself hunted by the police, biker gangs, and drug dealers, all of whom are determined to get their hands on that key. Caught up in the violence, Abe becomes desperate to prove his innocence. With help from Navajo police officer Emily Etcitty, he just might survive…and his heart just might find another reason to keep on beating.
*2.5 stars*
I sadly didn't connect with this story.
It started out very promising with some interesting twists and turns from the very beginning...but by the time I got to the halfway mark, I just couldn't find a reason to persist with a story that just meandered along, seemingly just waiting for the ending.
The other side of this is that I can see why people liked/loved this book. I can see that the writing style is easy to read and that the three-legged dog, Patch, appealed to some people.
I just wasn't one of them.
Paul
ARH
Heading west for the serene deserts of New Mexico with his three-legged dog, Patch, Abe Freeman hopes to escape the memories of his girlfriend’s lost battle with cancer. He expects his cross-country journey to be healing, not life-threatening. And he definitely doesn’t plan to wind up as the main suspect when a drifter he meets along the way, Easy Jackson, gets murdered.
When Abe’s lost knife turns up at the crime scene and Easy’s key appears in Abe’s backpack, Abe finds himself hunted by the police, biker gangs, and drug dealers, all of whom are determined to get their hands on that key. Caught up in the violence, Abe becomes desperate to prove his innocence. With help from Navajo police officer Emily Etcitty, he just might survive…and his heart just might find another reason to keep on beating.
*2.5 stars*
I sadly didn't connect with this story.
It started out very promising with some interesting twists and turns from the very beginning...but by the time I got to the halfway mark, I just couldn't find a reason to persist with a story that just meandered along, seemingly just waiting for the ending.
The other side of this is that I can see why people liked/loved this book. I can see that the writing style is easy to read and that the three-legged dog, Patch, appealed to some people.
I just wasn't one of them.
Paul
ARH
March 25, 2015
Fantastical storyline; a fun read
I thoroughly enjoyed this jaunt through the Southwest with Jewish pianist Abe Freeman and his three legged dog, Patch. Abe is running from dark memories in his past in New Jersey, driving west, doing odd jobs. He stops at a campsite in New Mexico and ends up sharing a joint with a drifter - who ends up dead. And evidence points to Abe being the killer.
Thus starts a convoluted story that has Abe meeting a Navajo Nation policewoman, members of the Aryan brotherhood, the Mexican Mafia and more.
I enjoyed author Bolton's style of writing and especially enjoyed the descriptive passages about the Southwest. The background on the Navaho - the Dinétah - was enlightening too.
Some of the story seemed "out there" but then this is fiction and I just enjoyed the characters, the settings, and the fantastical storyline.
I hope there will be a sequel one of these days so I can catch up on Abe and Patch.
Earlier reviews mentioned some editing problems. The book has been revised recently and I didn't notice any typos or editing issues.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this jaunt through the Southwest with Jewish pianist Abe Freeman and his three legged dog, Patch. Abe is running from dark memories in his past in New Jersey, driving west, doing odd jobs. He stops at a campsite in New Mexico and ends up sharing a joint with a drifter - who ends up dead. And evidence points to Abe being the killer.
Thus starts a convoluted story that has Abe meeting a Navajo Nation policewoman, members of the Aryan brotherhood, the Mexican Mafia and more.
I enjoyed author Bolton's style of writing and especially enjoyed the descriptive passages about the Southwest. The background on the Navaho - the Dinétah - was enlightening too.
Some of the story seemed "out there" but then this is fiction and I just enjoyed the characters, the settings, and the fantastical storyline.
I hope there will be a sequel one of these days so I can catch up on Abe and Patch.
Earlier reviews mentioned some editing problems. The book has been revised recently and I didn't notice any typos or editing issues.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book from Thomas & Mercer through Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
May 22, 2014
I am not big on mystery novels at all, however, Bolton caught my attention with Key Witness. Once I started reading it the more enthralled I became. This was an interesting book, and although it was hard to see a realness at times, I couldn't put it down. The character development is amazing! Skillful and engaging. Sandra paints a fantabulous picture with her words that you can almost touch. The landscape, people, etc. All executed to near perfection.The story seemed to be well thought out and was well written. I like how she brought in some of the Navajo culture and Southwestern flavor which added to the intrigue of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure,love and intrigue. I'm looking forward to reading more from Bolton.
October 2, 2015
I picked up this book from the "new" shelf at the library and decided to read it because 1) it had a 3 legged dog, Patch; 2) it's a mystery; and 3) it was based in the Southwest. Unfortunately, the story fell flat for me. The characters and plot were not engaging or interesting. It was boring and I ended up skimming the last part because it just couldn't hold my interest and I found I wasn't paying attention. The descriptions of the Navajo life and Native American culture was interesting, but overall I didn't like the story.
August 23, 2017
After his wife's death, Abe Freeman sets off for goodness knows where with his 3-legged dog, Patch and ends up being held on suspicion of murder. This is where he meets Navajo police officer Emily Etcitty and together they solve the crime - and the mystery of the key - and clear his name. It didn't grip me or hold me in its thrall but this is still an easy and enjoyable enough read if you are not looking for anything too taxing.
April 11, 2015
Great adventure mystery.
Journey started in NJ, ended in New Mexico. So many colourful characters, especially Sarah and Patch. Navajo Nation Tribal Police, FBI and local police. Aryan Brotherhood, Mexican Mafia, Kansas city mafia. Jewish Abe nick named Jesus eyes. Can't wait for the second book.
Journey started in NJ, ended in New Mexico. So many colourful characters, especially Sarah and Patch. Navajo Nation Tribal Police, FBI and local police. Aryan Brotherhood, Mexican Mafia, Kansas city mafia. Jewish Abe nick named Jesus eyes. Can't wait for the second book.
September 25, 2017
3.5 stars, rounded up. Overall, a good story, set in New Mexico, mostly in the 4 corners area, but also some in the southwest portion of the state, in the Gila area.
March 21, 2020
A Jewish musician losing his girlfriend, and losing the dreams they had planned. Broken and waiting to breath. The open spaces call to him. As well as the truck and a three legged dog, all broken, relying on one another in this journey. A campground relaxing when a stranger saying his name was Easy trying to bum things off Abe, and a lift in the morning. He’s traveling alone, but that night encounter started a night mare for him. In
New Mexico he meets Etcitty the sheriff, and finds he is a person of interest in a murder. With that delaying his plans, he started to feel at peace, and friendship with her grandfather and brother. Things escalate as plans to find who is behind the murder. With humor, adventure and a plan is formed. Well written plot reminds me of Tony Hillman books I loved to read. The setting of New Mexico as well as the people we met in this story.
New Mexico he meets Etcitty the sheriff, and finds he is a person of interest in a murder. With that delaying his plans, he started to feel at peace, and friendship with her grandfather and brother. Things escalate as plans to find who is behind the murder. With humor, adventure and a plan is formed. Well written plot reminds me of Tony Hillman books I loved to read. The setting of New Mexico as well as the people we met in this story.
February 26, 2019
This free book started well, the (new to me) author’s writing is of a good standard and the cultural aspects captured my attention. Sadly it is one of those books which held much promise but failed to deliver it. I got to the half way point but, having set it aside to read other books because my interest was waning, felt little inclination to return to it. I gave it two stars because I would probably have finished it if I had nothing else to read, but it cost me nothing and I have so many other books waiting...
April 22, 2019
"An Awesome Story"
I started reading this series with book 2 which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, I went back to book 1 to fill in the history. It's a well-told story of the journey of Abe Freeman from New York to New Mexico. Readers will like his three-legged dog, Patch, as Abe gets involved with a Navajo Tribal female police officer. They soon get involved with the Mexican Mafia and Aryan Brotherhood. The characters are fantastic and there is some humor. It's a great, great story I thoroughly enjoyed. Sandra Bolton is a great author.
I started reading this series with book 2 which I thoroughly enjoyed. So, I went back to book 1 to fill in the history. It's a well-told story of the journey of Abe Freeman from New York to New Mexico. Readers will like his three-legged dog, Patch, as Abe gets involved with a Navajo Tribal female police officer. They soon get involved with the Mexican Mafia and Aryan Brotherhood. The characters are fantastic and there is some humor. It's a great, great story I thoroughly enjoyed. Sandra Bolton is a great author.
August 8, 2019
Loved It!
Started this book just as I was returning from a trip that took us through the Navajo country of this story. So enjoyed learning about it and seeing my trip reflectively with more meaning. Love the characters and pleased there is book two to read immediately! Great writing! Thanks for your dedication to your craft! Rory
Started this book just as I was returning from a trip that took us through the Navajo country of this story. So enjoyed learning about it and seeing my trip reflectively with more meaning. Love the characters and pleased there is book two to read immediately! Great writing! Thanks for your dedication to your craft! Rory
January 3, 2020
Rousing Good Read
This is the first book that I've read by Sandra Bolton and I really enjoyed it. A very satisfying murder mystery with lots of characters. A hard on his luck drifter Abe Freeman meets another drifter at a campground and so begins the tale. Takes place in the South-West and involves a Navajo tribal female officer Emily Etcitty and the
This is the first book that I've read by Sandra Bolton and I really enjoyed it. A very satisfying murder mystery with lots of characters. A hard on his luck drifter Abe Freeman meets another drifter at a campground and so begins the tale. Takes place in the South-West and involves a Navajo tribal female officer Emily Etcitty and the
July 2, 2017
Picked this book up in Raton, NM while waiting on the train to arrive. Found out from the store owner that the book was written by a local author. The book was also recommended by people in the store as well. Well written book that moves quickly and is an enjoyable read.
January 1, 2018
Good read. Hard to put down!
Always enjoy a tale that moves quickly from one scene to next. As much about human nature as anything. Who are we? And why are we here. Where will our journey take us.
Always enjoy a tale that moves quickly from one scene to next. As much about human nature as anything. Who are we? And why are we here. Where will our journey take us.
February 14, 2018
Not bad
I had low expectations but wanted a mystery/cop procedural. I like to read books about NM and Navajo country. This series is ok. Emily Etcitty was not the real protagonist.
A cast of interesting characters and good location descriptions .
I had low expectations but wanted a mystery/cop procedural. I like to read books about NM and Navajo country. This series is ok. Emily Etcitty was not the real protagonist.
A cast of interesting characters and good location descriptions .
May 30, 2018
Mystery and suspense in every chapter
A New Jersey musician and a native American police officer join forces to solve a murder. Sandra Bolton does an excellent job intertwining two cultures in the easy read novel.
A New Jersey musician and a native American police officer join forces to solve a murder. Sandra Bolton does an excellent job intertwining two cultures in the easy read novel.
May 23, 2017
Not up to her usual high standard
Sandra Bolton was a new author for me, but in this book, she has let herself down. This book is not what I had expected.
Sandra Bolton was a new author for me, but in this book, she has let herself down. This book is not what I had expected.
October 17, 2017
Kept you going interesting storyline
Great read loved the characters! Educated you on the Indian way of life in an interesting way! Great storyline! Kept you interested!
Great read loved the characters! Educated you on the Indian way of life in an interesting way! Great storyline! Kept you interested!
September 8, 2018
Awesome plot and playout
The plot and characters played out surprisingly. Great mix of culture. I learned a lot about New Mexico Indians too
The plot and characters played out surprisingly. Great mix of culture. I learned a lot about New Mexico Indians too
February 5, 2019
What a great read.
This book is a great read. Appreciated how the writer described the emotions of the characters and their struggles with life. Highly recommend.
This book is a great read. Appreciated how the writer described the emotions of the characters and their struggles with life. Highly recommend.
August 8, 2019
OK, not great. Some excitement and drama.
It was OK, about a Navajo female sheriff. It wasn’t one of my favorite books. It was a window into that particular culture
It was OK, about a Navajo female sheriff. It wasn’t one of my favorite books. It was a window into that particular culture
August 13, 2019
Key witness
This was a good reading book. Had a little bit of excitement in every page. I will read more of her books
This was a good reading book. Had a little bit of excitement in every page. I will read more of her books
Want to read
January 17, 2020Author's guest post at my blog:
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2020/01...
https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2020/01...
October 9, 2016
Interesting Read
Not a bad storyline and keeps your attention. If your into love and crime this is definitely worth reading! Give it a try.
Not a bad storyline and keeps your attention. If your into love and crime this is definitely worth reading! Give it a try.
May 4, 2015
I won this book through the goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
After finishing the book I want to say that whoever wrote the blurb for the back of the book needs to be fired. When it first arrived I read it and couldn't figure out why I had wanted to read the book based on that blurb. In fact the blurb was so poor that I put off reading what turned out to be an excellent book for a couple weeks.
I know that some of the magic for me and this book is its setting. My father grew up in the Four Corners region of New Mexico and I have many fond memories of the locations and customs described in this book. Sandra Bolton really uses her words as a magical paintbrush to accurately and vividly portray the setting.
The plot itself is fast moving, and easy to follow. There's a bit of something for everyone. A complicated ruse involving a key, skinheads, the Mexican mafia, Kansas City mobsters, and our heroes, Abe, and Emily. Explosions, meth labs, even a bit of tribal politics all come together to make one heck of a great book. There is a smaller character Sally, that I wish the author would write a separate series about. I sincerely haven't loved a character that much in a long, long time.
After finishing the book I want to say that whoever wrote the blurb for the back of the book needs to be fired. When it first arrived I read it and couldn't figure out why I had wanted to read the book based on that blurb. In fact the blurb was so poor that I put off reading what turned out to be an excellent book for a couple weeks.
I know that some of the magic for me and this book is its setting. My father grew up in the Four Corners region of New Mexico and I have many fond memories of the locations and customs described in this book. Sandra Bolton really uses her words as a magical paintbrush to accurately and vividly portray the setting.
The plot itself is fast moving, and easy to follow. There's a bit of something for everyone. A complicated ruse involving a key, skinheads, the Mexican mafia, Kansas City mobsters, and our heroes, Abe, and Emily. Explosions, meth labs, even a bit of tribal politics all come together to make one heck of a great book. There is a smaller character Sally, that I wish the author would write a separate series about. I sincerely haven't loved a character that much in a long, long time.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews