Many thanks to Midnight Ink via NetGalley for the opportunity to read a free Amazon e-book; [b: Reservations: A Lola Wicks Mystery #4] by [a: Gwen Florio|6575113|Gwen Florio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445955443p2/6575113.jpg]. The following is my honest review:

A fictional novel; "Reservations" uses fiction to highlight century long issues Native Tribes face. This book shows some ways European occupation brings toxicity and loss to the health of Native bands and families.

The focus of important topics is woven artistically and with strength throughout "Reservations." The European idea of wealth goes against the Native idea of value and life. This well written novel shows this.

At the end of "Reservations," I did a bit of research on author Gwen Florio. Her resume lists stories gotten from horrific scenes and incidents. Realizing her ilk, it is an honor to read her fiction.

This is the fourth in a series, but stands alone. It is my earnest prayer that she is cover the war going on at Standing Rock, ND. (Oct 2016).

[a: Gwen Florio|6575113|Gwen Florio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445955443p2/6575113.jpg] is a powerful writer who does not sugar coat. She tells both sides of a story with fairness. The ending is not a fairy tale happy-ever-after, but life rarely is.

[a: Gwen Florio|6575113|Gwen Florio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1445955443p2/6575113.jpg] has a new constant reader. Thank you. ( )

I received a copy of this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolutely incredible and heart wrenching. Keep an eye out for my full review at www.coffeeandtrainspotting.wordpress.com. ( )

How can Lola Wicks get herself and family in deadly peril so easily in every book? Boggles the mind. She, Charlie and Margaret go to Arizona, ostensibly on their honeymoon, to visit Charlie's estranged brother, who met a Navajo women at Dartmouth and never returned to Montana's Blackfeet tribe. The bombing of a coal company's billboard, accidentally killing an Elder, followed by the detonation of a company trailer truck, has everyone searching for the culprit, including Gar (Charlie's brother) and Naomi (Charlie's sister-in-law), a tribal attorney. The highlight of the book, besides the new desert setting, are the chapters narrated by the perp, but the perp's identity is cloaked until the denouement when Lola arrives to save the day. I'm glad that Florio did not have the perp kill Bub (family dog) as she misled readers. ( )

A rapid-paced story of sabotage, murder and exploitation set on the Navajo reservation in northern Arizona, I really enjoyed the author's style, characterization and plot. Rife with conflicts arising from the hardscrabble existence on sacred land, the need to provide for extended families and the intrusions of the white man and corporate greed further complicate their lives. I highly recommend this book and will definitely read more from this author! If I could give a 1/2 star higher rating I certainly would! ( )

This is volume four in Florio's series featuring Lola Wicks, a journalist who spent time in Afghanistan and is now living in Montana with her Blackfeet policeman husband Charlie, and their young daughter.

As part of a delayed honeymoon, the three travel to the Navajo reservation where Charlie's brother and his family live.

But a coal mine run by an international company is causing dissention on the res. Although the jobs are greatly appreciated, the natural beauty of the reservation has definitely been disturbed. Charlie's brother works for the mine; his wife is a Navajo lawyer and often represents the tribe.

Just before they arrive an explosion kills a tribal elder. It's believed to be an act of Eco-terrorism. Not surprisingly, Lola jumps in to the middle of a very dangerous situation.

As always with Florio's mysteries I enjoyed the realism of reservation life. Racism and hard feelings between factions are not glossed over: whites and Indians, Indians against whites, and even hard feelings among Indians belonging to other tribes. It's a place of beauty, but also of great poverty; economic opportunity is rare.

What I didn't like about this installment, is that she whacked one of my favorite characters in what I have come to call 'The Game of Thrones' meme. Like a character? Dead next week. No, no, no, Gwen! Will I trust you with my heart again? Well, probably. After all, there is another volumes out and a sixth waiting to be released. Beware of major spoilers in the blurbs for volume # 5