This turned out to be a very interesting book to read. It starts with events leading to FBI agent James Strait being injured and being forced out of the job he loves through injury and permanent disability. He is supposed to be on leave to recover from his injuries, whilst his claim is being processed, and decides to go back to the small town where he was brought up, Pine River.
He is recognised by many for his heroic deeds in saving thousands from a terrorist plot. One little girl, Eliza, asks him to help find her best friend, Jophia, who has been missing for months. She is only nine years old and an African American child. It seems there have been other African American, Latino and native young children also gone missing and none have been found. The local police force have no expertise and a severe lack of wanting to do anything and are accused of being racist by those of colour in the town.
Strait tries to discourage the girl and her family, from insisting he find Eliza’s best friend Jophia, but they invite him for dinner instead. He has a few severe attacks, from Meniere’s disease, on his arrival in the town and one of the hotel staff assists him and also invites him to dinner. He starts to get to know more about the other side of the town that he was brought up in and how the people are treated. He finally agrees to look into the police investigation so far, by talking to the police chief himself.
On not getting quite the welcome he expected, he investigates further, but it seems someone is hiding something and don’t want him to find out what. He notes a black motorcycle that seems to be following him around town. Complaints by the incompetent police chief about his interfering in the case are sent to his FBI superiors – both of whom were involved in the case where he was injured and the feelings of animosity are mutual between them.
There is a lot more to this thriller than expected. It takes quite a sudden turn of events and Strait has more on his plate than he can manage. He can’t use his FBI connections for any evidence and it seems the only witness is out of his mind and speaking in riddles. Strait travels to the crime scene, a local Indian reservation, amongst others trying to find the girl who he believes is still alive.
I really enjoyed reading this book and having never read anything by this author, I am upset I hadn’t signed up for the ARC copy of The Language of Bears. If it as good as The Rabbit Skinners, then I have missed the chance of another great read. This book brings you a tale of a hero FBI agent, being forced out from the job he loves, through a disability that affects him severely and with no notice. He is someone who doesn’t want to be called a hero for doing his job, a job he wants to be able to continue doing.
A thriller with a flawed hero and very current with protests about ‘Black Lives Matter’, which was used as the setting for Strait first meeting Eliza and being asked to help find her friend. The question is, can he get past his disability for long enough not to fail in his task and will he be able to save all the children in time? A great sense of pace where needed and a few surprises along the way. Much more to this read than expected. I was lucky to receive an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.