Commendable Discretion: A Detective Novel Of The Old West

by J. Hoolihan Clayton

Charles Wolfe Collins is an Irish immigrant, ex-spy, Pinkerton operative, and a veteran of the Civil War. Collins is being sent on a hazardous assignment by President Grant in 1876, the nation's centennial. President Grant has recently received intelligence in military dispatches that there had been white men fighting alongside the Indians at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. He wants Collins to investigate and report back regarding the identity of these men. Collins embarks on a long journey into remote regions of Montana Territory, picking up clues along the way, and is eventually accompanied by a Native American woman guide, whose motives for taking Collins deep into Indian country are inscrutable. As the two proceed into the middle of a deadly conflict between vengeful soldiers and embittered Lakota warriors, they must cross an expansive cultural gap and learn to trust each other. At great risk, they seek to solve a mystery, documented in forgotten historical and military records, which could pose serious ramifications for American politics and the course of Federal Indian Policy in the territories of the United States.

Genres: Westerns

358 pages, Paperback

Published January 21, 2021

Reviews

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

First in the trilogy of detective novels set in the Old West and featuring CW Collins. In this story, CW is sent by President Grant to investigate rumors that white men were fighting with the Natives at the Battle of the Little Big Horn. CW's journey west is life changing for him, which is saying something since he was a spy in the Civil War. He meets up with a most unusual Indian woman who becomes his guide, interpreter and friend.

Incredibly well researched book, extremely well written and eventually, heartbreaking.

One of the best books I've read in a very long time.

[Gene Georgelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting historical fiction.

[Diana Peto · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to meet this amazing Author. She’s so fascinating. I can’t wait to read the rest in her series.

[Tory · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

A very interesting story, with intriguing characters and history I never knew much about. The authors style of writing has me wanting to read more of her stories