Redemption (Eva "Lightning Dance" Duran Book 1)

Don’t worry, no spoilers in this review, please read on without fear.Author Deborah Ledford’s “Redemption” was a free Amazon Prime First Read for August 2023. Being a fan of police procedurals this one sounded interesting to me. Although flawed, it’s a well written thriller that I would recommend.Eva “Lightning Dance” Duran is a Taos Pueblo Native American that crosses off reservation land and becomes a neighboring Taos County police deputy. Her best friend, also Native American, Paloma, goes missing, but her disappearance garners minimal attention as she is viewed as a strung out heroin addict. When three additional Pueblo women go missing Eva knows something is amiss. Teaming up with Pueblo law enforcement officer, Cruz Romero, they begin the investigation and attempt to solve the mystery.The book is extremely riveting, a suspenseful thriller with engaging characters. Attention to Native American customs is presented in both a fascinating and respectful fashion. Eva walks a careful tightrope as she makes decisions, frequently falling in between learned police procedure and ingrained Pueblo culture. Readers will quickly find it easy to love and invest in her character.While the story is generally first rate, a couple things did detract from it for me. The usage of the word “rez” for reservation and description of Eva’s police vehicle as “the beast” were used ad nauseum and frankly were grating on my nerves. There is also a glaring editing error in chapter 33 as Eva’s name is erroneously substituted by Poloma’s, disrupting the narrative for the reader. Kind of an inexcusable error.Despite its flaws, “Redemption” is a worthy read. Definitely a page turner as it barrels forward to an extremely satisfying conclusion. A fine opening act for the Eva “Lightning Dance” Duran series. A solid four stars for this one and will look forward to book two.

This was an Amazon First Read, so it was free. I've always liked Tony Hillerman's novels and this one felt like it might draw on that tradition. Apart from some of the white, New Agey stuff that was mixed in (asking "the Universe" for guidance), it was pretty good. Until the end, when it appears Eva (the main character) hadn't ever attended the police academy. She was talking about her training but, when she was responding to a 911 call, it appears she had none: she never called for backup; she brought a teenager with her; she left that teenager alone with a boy who'd been carrying a weapon and who had just claimed to have killed four men; she entered an unsecured structure alone, even though she knew there were weapons inside, as well as her suspect; she allowed her armed suspect to choke her and nearly stick a syringe in her; she never cleared the scene of any room she entered. She failed every bit of training she'd ever been taught. There was no immediate threat when she first approached the property; no need for her to burst into an unsecured scene without backup. She placed a number of people in grave danger with her actions, yet she was never reprimanded.In the Acknowledgments section, the author claims to have had expert help from former LEOs; I wonder what they thought of the penultimate chapter?Decent book, likable main character, just needs more credible writing in some parts

Sensitivity to the tribal drug problems that plague nearly every tribe through Canada, the US and MesoAmerica is well presented. After so many decades of hard work to overcome the impact of European rule, drugs are killing the bright, new generalions that the Native peoples have looked to in preserving Native traditions. This novel reveals that truth.

This book straddles the jurisdictions including local, federal and tribal law enforcement officers in a multiple missing persons cases. Attention to every detail is made to effortlessly transport the reader into the scenes. I am now a huge fan. Happy reading.

I got this book as a free early release read on my Kindle. I started reading it this morning and read it all day until I finished it. It reminds me a lot of the series Dark Winds with its native spiritualism. I can see this book being made into a movie it’s that good. Now I have to wait a whole year for the second in the series!

Finally Amazon First Read was a pretty decent book. An interesting look at the Native American life. Their traditions and beliefs. Plus the trouble with jurisdiction on the reservation.

Enjoyed the action and characters in this crime novel. The New Mexico setting of Taos Reservation and its residents was done well.

I enjoyed this book so much! It was really hard to put down and had me in suspense the whole time. It was well written being clear and concise, thank you and can’t wait for the next one!

Fast paced detective story with a great new lead character. Native American woman embracing both her heritage and her new role as a police detective. Fast paced story, multiple characters, divided loyalties.

Thoroughly enjoyed every word of this book. Loved the characters, the native American knowledge. A very good read, I couldn't put it down.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Well written and researched. Great insight into an area I didnt know much about.( I researched Hoop Dancing which I'd never heard of 😊). I loved the characters and the pace of the story. Couldn't put it down. Would highly recommend.