When I was through with the first hundred or so pages, I was certain this would end up being a three-star read, something my mom recommended to me that I just wouldn't fall in love with. However, once I got to about the last one hundred pages, I was certain it would be somewhere between four and five stars. 

This isn't a book I've seen much around bookstagram or even Goodreads, but it's one that should be around there more often. It's not really a mystery,  and instead is more a discussion of what grief and the need for justice can do to a community. It reflects upon the prejudice towards Native Americans, especially when one is accused of a crime. It also reflects upon the prejudice within the religious community against gay people. The religious aspect appealed to me because I am Christian, but I've never really enjoyed books that push the religion onto you and this definitely doesn't do that. I think this book would still be good if I weren't Christian. 

It's a relatively religious book, but it isn't heavy-handed in its religion. It's also one of few religious books I've read that have had an on-page discussion between a gay man and a minister where the minister tells him that God loves him the way he is—and this book takes place in the '60s. 

This story is just so powerful. It had me tearing up at many points. The writing is spectacular and the William Kent Krueger's storytelling is so good. My only real complaint is that most of the "good stuff" happened around the halfway mark and the beginning probably should have been condensed. I'm not complaining too much, though, because I still felt like the story warranted five stars.

I highly recommend this novel. There's not a ton I can say without giving away parts of the book, but I think it's definitely worth reading. I also think it's better to go into it without really knowing what you're getting into.

-Book Hugger