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DreadfulWater #2
The Red Power Murders
Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9780006395515
From the bestselling author of The Back of the Turtle and The Inconvenient Indian comes a wry and irreverent mystery
Thumps DreadfulWater has never liked surprises—even the good ones are annoying. So it’s no shock that a string of seemingly random occurrences is causing Thumps some real discomfort. First Noah Ridge, the Red Power Native activist, arrives in Thumps’ sleepy town of Chinook. Then the body of a retired FBI agent turns up at the local Holiday Inn. In the background hovers the ghostly presence of Lucy Kettle, second-in-charge of the Red Power movement, a tough woman in a tough place until her disappearance years ago. Now the sheriff wants Thumps to trade in his photography gig for a temporary cop beat. And it won’t be over, Thumps soon realizes, until everyone’s dead—or famous.
Hailed by critics in his first appearance, Cherokee ex-cop Thumps DreadfulWater is back in rumpled but razor-sharp form, doing his laconic, comic best to avoid trouble—and catch the bad guys. Bestselling writer Thomas King has penned a second entertaining DreadfulWater mystery, injected with the author’s characteristic dry wit and biting social commentary.
From the bestselling author of The Back of the Turtle and The Inconvenient Indian comes a wry and irreverent mystery
Thumps DreadfulWater has never liked surprises—even the good ones are annoying. So it’s no shock that a string of seemingly random occurrences is causing Thumps some real discomfort. First Noah Ridge, the Red Power Native activist, arrives in Thumps’ sleepy town of Chinook. Then the body of a retired FBI agent turns up at the local Holiday Inn. In the background hovers the ghostly presence of Lucy Kettle, second-in-charge of the Red Power movement, a tough woman in a tough place until her disappearance years ago. Now the sheriff wants Thumps to trade in his photography gig for a temporary cop beat. And it won’t be over, Thumps soon realizes, until everyone’s dead—or famous.
Hailed by critics in his first appearance, Cherokee ex-cop Thumps DreadfulWater is back in rumpled but razor-sharp form, doing his laconic, comic best to avoid trouble—and catch the bad guys. Bestselling writer Thomas King has penned a second entertaining DreadfulWater mystery, injected with the author’s characteristic dry wit and biting social commentary.
320 pages, Paperback
Published March 20, 2006
22 people are currently reading
440 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 8, 2022
Sep 7, 820am ~~ Review asap.
Noon-20pm ~~ The second in a six book series, The Red Power Mysteries had a bit more Thomas King in it than the first one had. Both books had been originally published under a different name, Hartley GoodWeather. I am not sure why authors do that; I suppose to try a different genre than the one they are best known for, or to stretch their imaginations trying to think like a completely different person or maybe.....well, who knows, really. There must be plenty of reasons.
But now that I have read two in the series, I can see that in the first one, DreadfulWater, King seemed to be holding himself in, maybe getting the feel of writing this type of story or else trying extremely hard not to sound like himself. It was a good story, if a little flatter than I expected. But then I knew it was really King writing. If I had not known that I doubt I would have been so sensitive to the book.
In The Red Power Murders Thumps DreadfulWater is surprised by the arrival of a few people he knew casually in his past. Noah Ridge, the main man in the Red Power Movement, has come to town as part of a book tour, according to his publicity person. But Ridge brings trouble and chaos with him, and Thumps ends up in the middle of it all. Can he work out what is happening before it is too late for everyone?
I enjoyed the growth of all the characters here, including the Volvo Thumps drives. Turns out that even though it is a Swedish car, it does not like cold weather and refuses to start at various inconvenient times. Cooley Small Elk is becoming a delightful character with more of a role in the action, and Sheriff Duke Hockney seems more human this time around.
One thing I have never liked about any series is how much time has to be spent recapping each character as they are reintroduced. I know that mostly people read a series as the books come out, with about a year in between. But when you read them one after the other the way I do the constant reminders of who everyone is gets tiresome. I tend to skim such paragraphs, but usually by the end of the first chapter or two all the catching up is taken care of and the rest of the story can continue smoothly.
As I mentioned above, more Thomas King wit showed up here than in the first book of the series. At one point early on, Thumps is wondering about that book tour.
"From time to time, writers did show up in town for a reading, poets for the most part, along with a trickle of self-help, diet, gardening, and regional-history sorts. There had been a Native guy come through with a novel that had the word water in the title. Thumps had gone to the reading and had barely been able to stay awake."
King fans will recognize the reference to Green Grass, Running Water. Unless it is just my imagination adding two plus two and getting five. lol
Later when Archie is excitedly describing a poster he has found for Thumps to add to his collection, I realized that it was the cover from my edition of The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America.
I had to laugh about these two semi-secret messages; it is always fun to see an author enjoying himself!
And speaking of enjoying oneself, I am off to continue Cold Skies, the first of this series that was published under the name Thomas King. It's my favorite of the three after just a few chapters. We'll see how that holds up by the time I reach the end of the book!
Noon-20pm ~~ The second in a six book series, The Red Power Mysteries had a bit more Thomas King in it than the first one had. Both books had been originally published under a different name, Hartley GoodWeather. I am not sure why authors do that; I suppose to try a different genre than the one they are best known for, or to stretch their imaginations trying to think like a completely different person or maybe.....well, who knows, really. There must be plenty of reasons.
But now that I have read two in the series, I can see that in the first one, DreadfulWater, King seemed to be holding himself in, maybe getting the feel of writing this type of story or else trying extremely hard not to sound like himself. It was a good story, if a little flatter than I expected. But then I knew it was really King writing. If I had not known that I doubt I would have been so sensitive to the book.
In The Red Power Murders Thumps DreadfulWater is surprised by the arrival of a few people he knew casually in his past. Noah Ridge, the main man in the Red Power Movement, has come to town as part of a book tour, according to his publicity person. But Ridge brings trouble and chaos with him, and Thumps ends up in the middle of it all. Can he work out what is happening before it is too late for everyone?
I enjoyed the growth of all the characters here, including the Volvo Thumps drives. Turns out that even though it is a Swedish car, it does not like cold weather and refuses to start at various inconvenient times. Cooley Small Elk is becoming a delightful character with more of a role in the action, and Sheriff Duke Hockney seems more human this time around.
One thing I have never liked about any series is how much time has to be spent recapping each character as they are reintroduced. I know that mostly people read a series as the books come out, with about a year in between. But when you read them one after the other the way I do the constant reminders of who everyone is gets tiresome. I tend to skim such paragraphs, but usually by the end of the first chapter or two all the catching up is taken care of and the rest of the story can continue smoothly.
As I mentioned above, more Thomas King wit showed up here than in the first book of the series. At one point early on, Thumps is wondering about that book tour.
"From time to time, writers did show up in town for a reading, poets for the most part, along with a trickle of self-help, diet, gardening, and regional-history sorts. There had been a Native guy come through with a novel that had the word water in the title. Thumps had gone to the reading and had barely been able to stay awake."
King fans will recognize the reference to Green Grass, Running Water. Unless it is just my imagination adding two plus two and getting five. lol
Later when Archie is excitedly describing a poster he has found for Thumps to add to his collection, I realized that it was the cover from my edition of The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America.
I had to laugh about these two semi-secret messages; it is always fun to see an author enjoying himself!
And speaking of enjoying oneself, I am off to continue Cold Skies, the first of this series that was published under the name Thomas King. It's my favorite of the three after just a few chapters. We'll see how that holds up by the time I reach the end of the book!
July 4, 2022
My second book with Thumps and the gang from Chinook. This was a hard one to follow as there were a few too many characters for me to follow along or be engaged with, though the story line seemed to require that many. I found myself flipping back and forth a bit to re-fresh my memory.
The locals of Chinook are a quirky bunch of people and hopefully the next books in this series will flush them out even more. And, as a cat-dad, who doesn't like Freeway?
If you liked the first, you'll probably like this one. I hope the third in this series gets me more engaged though.
The locals of Chinook are a quirky bunch of people and hopefully the next books in this series will flush them out even more. And, as a cat-dad, who doesn't like Freeway?
If you liked the first, you'll probably like this one. I hope the third in this series gets me more engaged though.
June 11, 2019
Thomas King is such a good writer! I’m loving these murder mysteries of his, starring Thumps DreadfulWater. We get both a good, convoluted mystery and a dose of King’s irreverent humour. Plus, he manages to tackle social issues that he cares about without getting preachy and without info dumps. For example, the reader just gets to witness the behaviour of the bigoted white deputy of the little village of Chinook and draw their own conclusions.
I’m particularly fond of the elder Moses, who has a whole collection of old trailers out behind his house and many old computers too. With his younger associate, Stick, they often go out to check the internet, or as Moses puts it, consult with the Nephews. No matter when Thumps arrives, the elder is always expecting him, tea brewed and ready to consult. I’m also partial to Cooley Small Elk, the huge man who may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but who can knock down the shed to find what he’s looking for. King writes the best side characters!
King sticks with many aspects of the murder mystery recipe. Poor old Thumps is perpetually unlucky in love, has difficulty getting along with the sheriff, and always seems to be close to broke. But he has a cop’s mind and instincts and can’t seem to disengage once a problem presents itself.
I can hardly wait to get my paws on book three. Thank you, Mr. King, for a great deal of reading pleasure!
I’m particularly fond of the elder Moses, who has a whole collection of old trailers out behind his house and many old computers too. With his younger associate, Stick, they often go out to check the internet, or as Moses puts it, consult with the Nephews. No matter when Thumps arrives, the elder is always expecting him, tea brewed and ready to consult. I’m also partial to Cooley Small Elk, the huge man who may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but who can knock down the shed to find what he’s looking for. King writes the best side characters!
King sticks with many aspects of the murder mystery recipe. Poor old Thumps is perpetually unlucky in love, has difficulty getting along with the sheriff, and always seems to be close to broke. But he has a cop’s mind and instincts and can’t seem to disengage once a problem presents itself.
I can hardly wait to get my paws on book three. Thank you, Mr. King, for a great deal of reading pleasure!
November 5, 2018
Enjoyed this one just as much as the first one. Book three will have to wait until my 'to be read' pile dwindles though.
May 7, 2020
The book is like meeting again with old friends. Recommended.
April 19, 2021
In the second intricately woven plot in the Thumps DreadfulWater mystery series “The Red Power Murders" opens with the arrival of Noah Ridge a Red Power Native Activist to promote his book only to receive a threatening postcard; the body of a murdered retired FBI agent found dead at the local hotel; and the unresolved disappearance of Lucy Kettle second-in-charge in the Red Power movement.
Ex-California cop turned photographer Thumps DreadfulWater has been hired by Sheriff Duke Hockney not only to take photos of the dead body but as one of his deputies to ensure Ridge’s safety. As Thumps’ past collides with the present his keen deductive skills take over as he unravels a case with a second murdered victim and link to a theft from the CEO of an Energy Corporation.
Set in the small town of Chinook, the action never stops as Thumps who thought he’d left his sleuthing days behind gets swept up in solving another murder with links to people from his days as a university student years before. Fast-paced and riveting, intensity and suspense escalate with a cold case from the past and a second murder as Thumps begins to see a pattern in the mishmash of information he uncovers. Cleverly written Thomas King mixes in humor with Thumps unpredictable car and unruly cat as well as fickle passion with love interest Claire Merchant and his interest in Noah Ridge’s Executive Assistant Dakota Mills who he still thinks is as lovely as she was in university.
Among a host of compelling characters is the razor-sharp intellect of the engaging Thumps DreadfulWater; the evasive but protective instinct of Claire Merchant; a hot tempered, underachieving deputy Andy Hooper; the passionate, committed, eloquent but self-absorbed Noah Ridge; and the artless but intelligent Sheriff Duke Hockney. These diverse and unique personalities among many breathe life into a mystery that keeps you fixated as it flows to a surprising climax.
Like all of the Dreadful Water series I thoroughly enjoyed “The Red Power Murders” and highly recommend it.
Ex-California cop turned photographer Thumps DreadfulWater has been hired by Sheriff Duke Hockney not only to take photos of the dead body but as one of his deputies to ensure Ridge’s safety. As Thumps’ past collides with the present his keen deductive skills take over as he unravels a case with a second murdered victim and link to a theft from the CEO of an Energy Corporation.
Set in the small town of Chinook, the action never stops as Thumps who thought he’d left his sleuthing days behind gets swept up in solving another murder with links to people from his days as a university student years before. Fast-paced and riveting, intensity and suspense escalate with a cold case from the past and a second murder as Thumps begins to see a pattern in the mishmash of information he uncovers. Cleverly written Thomas King mixes in humor with Thumps unpredictable car and unruly cat as well as fickle passion with love interest Claire Merchant and his interest in Noah Ridge’s Executive Assistant Dakota Mills who he still thinks is as lovely as she was in university.
Among a host of compelling characters is the razor-sharp intellect of the engaging Thumps DreadfulWater; the evasive but protective instinct of Claire Merchant; a hot tempered, underachieving deputy Andy Hooper; the passionate, committed, eloquent but self-absorbed Noah Ridge; and the artless but intelligent Sheriff Duke Hockney. These diverse and unique personalities among many breathe life into a mystery that keeps you fixated as it flows to a surprising climax.
Like all of the Dreadful Water series I thoroughly enjoyed “The Red Power Murders” and highly recommend it.
April 4, 2021
This series is so fun! It manages to be humourous and light and still deal with important social issues. I enjoyed this one as much as the first. It looks like King took a long hiatus between the first two and the next three so it will be interesting to see if there's a time jump in the series.
Had some problems keeping the details straight and I'm only about 80% sure I totally understand exactly what happened with the ending but it was still highly enjoyable!
Thomas King is an excellent writer and I plan to read a lot more from him this year (and not just this series).
Maybe my favourite opening sentence ever: "The motel room had all the ambiance of a laundry hamper."
Had some problems keeping the details straight and I'm only about 80% sure I totally understand exactly what happened with the ending but it was still highly enjoyable!
Thomas King is an excellent writer and I plan to read a lot more from him this year (and not just this series).
Maybe my favourite opening sentence ever: "The motel room had all the ambiance of a laundry hamper."
August 8, 2018
The more I read of Thomas King, the more I love him.
I was lukewarm on ‘DreadfulWater’, the first book in this series, but ‘The Red Power Murders’ hooked me. I just love Thumps and Al and Archie and Hockney and Cooley and Beth. They’re quirky and entertaining, but they never descend into caricature - they’re real people, and that’s why I love them so much.
You may notice that I don’t mention Claire, even though she plays a big role in Thumps’ life - that’s because I didn’t like her in this book. She came across as whiny and a bit two-dimensional (which, in fairness, is more King’s fault than hers).
For the most part, though I really enjoyed this book. It brings us back to a more volatile, more passionate period of Thumps’ life, and fleshes him out as a person. Naturally, this collision between past and present ends in murder, because it’s a murder mystery, but it also examines - in a sardonic, winking way - Aboriginal activism and protest in the US.
As usual, Thumps wants nothing to do with the murder. Also as usual, he lends the local police a hand. Fortunately, Cooley is embarking on a career as a private security guard and he’s there to support the investigation.
Running through all the FBI agents and decades-old betrayals and absconded fortunes is Thump’s personal life, which becomes slightly more complicated than he’d like when an old flame comes to town.
I think the appeal of this book is that it continues to build on the community of Chinook. We’re starting to get a feel for the place, where everyone belongs - or doesn’t - and the unique detail each inhabitant contributes. These details are not always universally admired - anyone who’s lived in a small town can tell you that tensions run high - but they add delightful texture to the story. And I love spending time in a place where everyone knows where to get the best coffee, or goes to the same place for breakfast.
‘The Red Power Murders’ is a lovely, light - but not frothy - read. It’s got enough heft to engage the heart and enough levity to entertain the mind.
I was lukewarm on ‘DreadfulWater’, the first book in this series, but ‘The Red Power Murders’ hooked me. I just love Thumps and Al and Archie and Hockney and Cooley and Beth. They’re quirky and entertaining, but they never descend into caricature - they’re real people, and that’s why I love them so much.
You may notice that I don’t mention Claire, even though she plays a big role in Thumps’ life - that’s because I didn’t like her in this book. She came across as whiny and a bit two-dimensional (which, in fairness, is more King’s fault than hers).
For the most part, though I really enjoyed this book. It brings us back to a more volatile, more passionate period of Thumps’ life, and fleshes him out as a person. Naturally, this collision between past and present ends in murder, because it’s a murder mystery, but it also examines - in a sardonic, winking way - Aboriginal activism and protest in the US.
As usual, Thumps wants nothing to do with the murder. Also as usual, he lends the local police a hand. Fortunately, Cooley is embarking on a career as a private security guard and he’s there to support the investigation.
Running through all the FBI agents and decades-old betrayals and absconded fortunes is Thump’s personal life, which becomes slightly more complicated than he’d like when an old flame comes to town.
I think the appeal of this book is that it continues to build on the community of Chinook. We’re starting to get a feel for the place, where everyone belongs - or doesn’t - and the unique detail each inhabitant contributes. These details are not always universally admired - anyone who’s lived in a small town can tell you that tensions run high - but they add delightful texture to the story. And I love spending time in a place where everyone knows where to get the best coffee, or goes to the same place for breakfast.
‘The Red Power Murders’ is a lovely, light - but not frothy - read. It’s got enough heft to engage the heart and enough levity to entertain the mind.
July 18, 2025
4.5, ça se laisse lire. le rythme est lent mais sans longueur. c'est excellent
April 19, 2021
While I enjoyed hanging out with the gang in Chinook, I just didn't connect to this particular plot. I found myself early on flipping back to remind myself of other characters and events to an extent I don't normally have to, even with my propensity to quickly forget names and motivations when there's a larger cast of characters involved in a story.
I think in this book it was less about the number and more that I felt I missed some vital connections or undercurrents of the story itself. I thought the whole thing just kind of...ended. And I confess to not really understanding how everything was brought to a close.
I am enjoying how King depicts Thumps himself as someone who clearly is suffering from the loss of the woman he loved and her daughter, who he considered as his own daughter, back when he was a cop in California. Thumps is obviously struggling, both emotionally and physically, but he doesn't realize how much of it stems from that experience. I don't know the ins and outs of PTSD but broadly speaking that's how I see what's happening to him. He's a good person but a very sad one, and it's quite affecting to see how he tries to keep his head above the depression that is just all around him. Most of the time he can convince himself he's still in sight of the shore but at other times it's clear he knows just how out to sea he is.
So full marks for the core characters here - it's what has me looking forward to the next one in this series - but not so for the paces King puts them through, alas.
I think in this book it was less about the number and more that I felt I missed some vital connections or undercurrents of the story itself. I thought the whole thing just kind of...ended. And I confess to not really understanding how everything was brought to a close.
I am enjoying how King depicts Thumps himself as someone who clearly is suffering from the loss of the woman he loved and her daughter, who he considered as his own daughter, back when he was a cop in California. Thumps is obviously struggling, both emotionally and physically, but he doesn't realize how much of it stems from that experience. I don't know the ins and outs of PTSD but broadly speaking that's how I see what's happening to him. He's a good person but a very sad one, and it's quite affecting to see how he tries to keep his head above the depression that is just all around him. Most of the time he can convince himself he's still in sight of the shore but at other times it's clear he knows just how out to sea he is.
So full marks for the core characters here - it's what has me looking forward to the next one in this series - but not so for the paces King puts them through, alas.
May 24, 2018
This is the second in a series of Thumps Dreadfulwater mysteries that I've read. I wasn't quite as hooked on this one as the first one. The mystery seemed a little over the place - too many people and not quite enough to really hold my interest. However, I do like King's writing and his sense of humour, so I'll probably read the next in the series.
December 24, 2022
But good friendships carried responsibilities, and Benton was a good friend.
In those early halcyon days in the Kingdom of Brigham Young, he hadn't known about Omaha.
In those early halcyon days in the Kingdom of Brigham Young, he hadn't known about Omaha.
December 21, 2018
Review of the 2017 paperback reissue
Good cozy, but I'm finding it curious that the Thumps DreadfulWater backstory is constantly hinted at but there is no follow through. That starts to seem odd now in this 2nd of the series from 2006. It will be interesting to see if something further happens in the 2018 & 2019 reboots.
Good cozy, but I'm finding it curious that the Thumps DreadfulWater backstory is constantly hinted at but there is no follow through. That starts to seem odd now in this 2nd of the series from 2006. It will be interesting to see if something further happens in the 2018 & 2019 reboots.
April 19, 2024
Read for INDG 360 (popular lit) class.
I was hoping I’d be more invested in solving the mystery, but with lots of characters and complex storylines (with a lot of the action happening 25 yrs prior) I struggled to really get into it! I do still enjoy King’s writing style (will be reading more from him, just prob not this series) and Freeway was my favourite character. This book has also interested me in learning further about the Red Power Movement and its controversies.
I was hoping I’d be more invested in solving the mystery, but with lots of characters and complex storylines (with a lot of the action happening 25 yrs prior) I struggled to really get into it! I do still enjoy King’s writing style (will be reading more from him, just prob not this series) and Freeway was my favourite character. This book has also interested me in learning further about the Red Power Movement and its controversies.
August 28, 2024
I enjoyed the mystery and Thomas King’s way with words. He’s a really good writer. I haven’t read the first one yet. I must say I was stressing about no coat for three main character so was glad to see that remedied. Yes, I know it’s just fiction, but still.
April 9, 2019
Very much enjoyed this book, can't wait to start #3 in the series.
May 6, 2022
I love Thomas King and I love this series. Can't wait to read the next one!
August 20, 2025
Truly more a 3.85
Solid mystery.
Could use a bit more action -- or 50 less pages -- but the humour managed to keep going.
Still enjoying this series a lot!
Solid mystery.
Could use a bit more action -- or 50 less pages -- but the humour managed to keep going.
Still enjoying this series a lot!
September 24, 2025
Ugh! Who gave this book to me and made me waste several days plowing through it? Kinda boring and confusing. Did not like it!
December 6, 2025
Dnf… sorry 😞
April 2, 2023
Great mystery, I actually liked this one better than the first! Bring me back to Chinook and Thumps DreadfulWater!
December 17, 2025
An ex-FBI agent is murdered in a hotel room. The sheriff makes DreadfulWater a deputy. The past, in the form of The Red Power movement and one of its stars, who's written a book, looms large in the story, as does a current FBI agent. The body count piles up. Does DreadfulWater even want to solve the mystery?
March 18, 2019
This is the second of Tom King's amusing and skillful mysteries starring Cherokee former policeman (now photographer) Thumps DreadfulWater. These novels have become my default escapist literature to alternate with more serious material.
Why does this book work? First, there is an intricate plot involving a Red Power advocate (Noah Ridge) who arrives to promote his book in the small town, Chinook, where Thumps now lives. DreadfulWater had been involved with Ridge and the movement when he was younger and becomes dragooned by the local sheriff into making sure the activist is not harmed during his visit. An FBI agent seems to be supportive of this -- but the plot up-ends this scenario as it develops.
Second, Thumps is himself an engaging and enigmatic character -- with romantic links to several of the female characters in the book, but giving his strongest (if often exasperated) loyalty to his cat Freeway.
Third, the supporting cast of players in the novel are a highly interesting and diverse group -- from the sheriff whose homespun exterior hides a sharp intelligence, to Cooley Small Elk who aims not entirely successfully to be a security specialist, to Claire whose attraction to Thumps is often outweighed by her worries about her son.
Put all these factors together, add to it Tom King's wit and sharp-edged dialogue, and you have the explanation for my positive rating for this book -- and my reason for searching for more additions to this mystery series.
Why does this book work? First, there is an intricate plot involving a Red Power advocate (Noah Ridge) who arrives to promote his book in the small town, Chinook, where Thumps now lives. DreadfulWater had been involved with Ridge and the movement when he was younger and becomes dragooned by the local sheriff into making sure the activist is not harmed during his visit. An FBI agent seems to be supportive of this -- but the plot up-ends this scenario as it develops.
Second, Thumps is himself an engaging and enigmatic character -- with romantic links to several of the female characters in the book, but giving his strongest (if often exasperated) loyalty to his cat Freeway.
Third, the supporting cast of players in the novel are a highly interesting and diverse group -- from the sheriff whose homespun exterior hides a sharp intelligence, to Cooley Small Elk who aims not entirely successfully to be a security specialist, to Claire whose attraction to Thumps is often outweighed by her worries about her son.
Put all these factors together, add to it Tom King's wit and sharp-edged dialogue, and you have the explanation for my positive rating for this book -- and my reason for searching for more additions to this mystery series.
January 31, 2020
Cranky ex-cop cracks confounding cold case
August 3, 2024
3.5*
Much more exploration of a Native worldview compared to the first book. Also a notably worse mystery with too many moving pieces, but generally the character and the humour still pulled through for a fun read.
Much more exploration of a Native worldview compared to the first book. Also a notably worse mystery with too many moving pieces, but generally the character and the humour still pulled through for a fun read.
June 28, 2018
Again another slow mystery but this one was populated with an ever increasing cast of possible suspects and motives. You practically needed a score card to keep track of everyone and his/her motives. Love Thumps Dreadfulwater just wish he could get to the who dunnit a little faster. Waiting for the next book.
March 19, 2016
Really loved this book!!!! Its a good detective story as well as being graced by Thomas King's superb way of telling a story. The humour in the book is humour with a purpose, but it still makes you laugh out loud. Will be reading more of Thomas King writing as Hartley Goodweather!
November 17, 2020
Another fun page-turner from Thomas King. Humor, mystery, and great characters.
February 2, 2021
Another good story in the DreadfulWater mystery series. Our hero, Thumps DreadfulWater, is hired by the town sheriff as an acting deputy. Thumps takes on the job kicking and screaming. He is recruited because he supposedly knows the Aboriginal author who has come to town to push his new book. Noah Ridge is the leader of an activist group called The Red Power Movement (RPM) Thumps knew him back in the day when he was a university student but has not had any contact with him or his Executive Assistant, Dakota Miles, who is as lovely as she was back at university. It has been over 25 years. Noah rolls into town and as a result 2 people die and one of them is a retired FBI agent. It seems the events of the past are colliding with the events of the present. Thumps and the sheriff have to solve this before anyone else dies.
I quite like the way Thomas King tells a story. He keeps me engaged right from the beginning to end. I like the way he makes other literary references as part of his story. His characters have charm and wit and a dry sense of humour. Even the ones who are not so bright have a certain charm.
He understands cats as our hero owns a cat or rather the cat, named Freeway, owns him. The way king describes the cat's character is quite honest about cats.
Thumps drives a volvo which seems to also have a life and can cause a lot of frustration for Thumps.
Thumps hates the cold and this story is taking place as winter is settling into the town of Chinook and I can feel the cold as King describes it.
I quite like the way Thomas King tells a story. He keeps me engaged right from the beginning to end. I like the way he makes other literary references as part of his story. His characters have charm and wit and a dry sense of humour. Even the ones who are not so bright have a certain charm.
He understands cats as our hero owns a cat or rather the cat, named Freeway, owns him. The way king describes the cat's character is quite honest about cats.
Thumps drives a volvo which seems to also have a life and can cause a lot of frustration for Thumps.
Thumps hates the cold and this story is taking place as winter is settling into the town of Chinook and I can feel the cold as King describes it.
January 20, 2022
This book was a quick read, and pairs great with your favourite snack and a cup of something cozy.
I've always enjoyed a good mystery, and this one happened to be an Indigenous who-dunnit. Though I figured out who one of the key players actually was about halfway through, the remainder didn't come for me until much later, so that was enjoyable.
I love Thumps. He's such a curmudgeon, and his disdain for everything from the cold to the morgue to being a Deputy-for-Hire is hilarious. His constant attempts to quit his Rent-A-Cop contract are gold. I also love his cat Freeway, and I love that his Volvo is a character in and of itself.
Now, I must be honest. This book probably actually deserves four stars, but I gave it five because of something Thumps said towards the beginningof the book. The line was, "...the only physical exercise the man performed on a daily basis was talking," and all I could think of was my deceased grandmother who just happened to be Metis, and who had an unrivaled gift of the gab. It made me laugh extra, made my heart happy, and is the sole reason why this book gets a perfect rating.
I've always enjoyed a good mystery, and this one happened to be an Indigenous who-dunnit. Though I figured out who one of the key players actually was about halfway through, the remainder didn't come for me until much later, so that was enjoyable.
I love Thumps. He's such a curmudgeon, and his disdain for everything from the cold to the morgue to being a Deputy-for-Hire is hilarious. His constant attempts to quit his Rent-A-Cop contract are gold. I also love his cat Freeway, and I love that his Volvo is a character in and of itself.
Now, I must be honest. This book probably actually deserves four stars, but I gave it five because of something Thumps said towards the beginningof the book. The line was, "...the only physical exercise the man performed on a daily basis was talking," and all I could think of was my deceased grandmother who just happened to be Metis, and who had an unrivaled gift of the gab. It made me laugh extra, made my heart happy, and is the sole reason why this book gets a perfect rating.
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