Brayden Gearin’s Reviews > Montana 1948[MONTANA 1948][Paperback] > Status Update

It was really intriguing to read the flashback of Wes and Uncle Frank when they were younger. I think the core memory Wes looks back on is why he keeps Frank “safe” in the basement rather than facing the public. I also feel that if Uncle Frank stays locked in the basement much longer, something bad is bound to happen.

David is starting to understand that Uncle Frank may have hurt not only Marie and her friends but also other women in the community. David has to be in a mental war, which is really hard to deal with at 12 years old. I’ve grown to hate the grandfather for downplaying Frank’s crimes and disrespecting Wes. I’m also worried about Wes telling David not to let his grandparents in—it makes me feel something bad is coming.

The fact that David saw Uncle Frank around their house or leaving their house at 3, and Marie suddenly dying, strengthens my theory of Frank killing Marie. I think Len also saw Uncle Frank at that time, and that's why he is drinking again and brought up David's grandfather, saying that what it means to be a peace officer in Montana means knowing when to look and when to look away. Len is choosing to look away.

I think Marie’s sudden death after seeming to recover feels strange and suspicious. The tense riverbank scene between Wes and Uncle Frank shows Wes finally confronting him about his crimes. I think Frank might be nervous now that his actions are being exposed, and I suspect he’s involved in Marie’s death. It's frustrating that Wes isn’t investigating his brother's crimes anymore; maybe he will now that Marie is dead.

From the start of Chapter Two, up to page 51, I found it interesting that Ollie Young Bear, a local Native American, is so respected and successful in northwestern Montana, especially considering how segregated the community is. I’m also disappointed that Wes isn’t making the investigation into Uncle Frank a priority, and I suspect the pills Frank prescribed to Marie might be making her condition worse.

Pages 32 through 43 are the craziest things I've ever read. Uncle Frank is on my hit list. I take back everything I said about him. Not cool what he did. If I catch Uncle Frank, it's going down. I also think that Wes is going through a mental battle with himself, trying to figure out if he should prosecute his brother or stick with him till there is evidence. Brutal end of the chapter, L Uncle Frank. W mom, W David.

Pages 12 to 32 introduced some new characters. Marie, "housekeeper," is a woman with a really cool boyfriend, Ronnie, who is a stud at sports. We also learn about Maries's mom, who is really good-looking and really sweet. Then Marie gets sick, and David's mom gets worried, and they call Uncle Frank, who is very successful at war and has a rocket of a wife. He says that Marie may have measles, mumps, or Pneumonia.

Reading the book from the start to page 12, I have learned a lot about the main character. He is a very venturesome person who wants to get out of his town. I also noticed that he dislikes his father, almost everything about the man. On pages 5,6, and 7, all he does is talk about how his dad didn't fit his occupation as a sheriff. We learn that his grandfather acted like a dictator and was the sheriff before his dad.