by Robert Winn
Mystery and history lovers will enjoy this novel, set in 1860s Mendocino County. The protagonist seeks to discover the truth behind his uncle’s death; his journey takes him from the growing mill town of Mendocino to the Mendocino and Round Valley Indian reservations. He gets a taste of frontier life, but also discovers rampant corruption and the brutal treatment of the Native people. Most of the characters are based on real people and the author draws heavily from the historical record, supplementing his storytelling with archival images. Fergus and Finley Publishers.