Tay-bodal is worried about his friend Skywalker, however, who has been uncharacteristically aloof ever since he was outvoted on the issue of making the trip – which he strongly opposed – in the first place. The friendship is precious to him, and he cannot help but be concerned at any rift between himself and the man who is closer to him than a brother.

The meetings with army officials do not get off to a smooth start. The weather is hot, and tempers flare. Chief White Bear and his men chastise a group of soldiers for slaughtering buffalo for sport, returning them (somewhat damaged) to the army for punishment. When the army bugler disappears and White Bear finds his bugle, the army is ready to assume him (or any Indian, for that matter) guilty of murder and theft.

Taking White Bear from the Kiowa would cause a war, but refusing to honor the truce agreement all the tribes agreed on before coming to the treaty talks would spell disaster for the Kiowa as well. Lone Wolf, principal chief of the Kiowa, gives Tay-bodal the heavy responsibility for finding out the truth and clearing White Bear's name. Tay-bodal must move amongst people whose language and ways are foreign to him, yet somehow understand enough to find the true killer.

Reading Murder at Medicine Lodge, I was immersed in the culture and the time period described by Tay-bodal's first person narrative. The story is told in a distinct and lyrical voice, compelling and easily believable. There is humor, and real feeling. The mystery is solid, but it is the characters, the setting, and the overall picture of life for the Kiowa in 1867 that make this a memorable read.

--Jeri Wright