A Montana Mystery Featuring Gabriel Du Pré
Montana, “the last best place” of the disappearing American West, is the setting of Peter Bowen’s splendid first mystery novel in a series featuring Gabriel Du Pré. A cattle-brand inspector and occasional sheriff’s deputy, Du Pré moves easily among the ranchers, cowboys, Native Americans, barflies, dreamers, and Eastern dudes who populate what's left of the frontier.
In the desolate hills of the Fascelli family ranch, a skeleton has been discovered. The sheriff needs Du Pré's long experience in Montana to identify the bones. What Du Pré finds leads him on a search through the history of a troubled family, a search that brings him closer to a secret from his own past. Along the way, Du Pré meets a range of interesting folk, some to his liking, some decidedly not.
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"Absolutely delightful!!!! Shared it with Dan and made him homesick! He grew up in Montana about 60 miles from the "story" area. And being a French Canadian just added to it. I love Du Pre, and his women. I am also very happy that my crazy mom recommended this series. "
— Rhyannon (4 out of 5 stars)
“As the best literary novels are able to do, Coyote Wind brings many worlds together and hones the language to create a fresh, memorable character and a profound vision.”
— New York Times Book Review“Bowen tells his story in short, perfectly crafted scenes. The dialogue, the relationships, the Montana landscape, and, most of all, the quirky and memorable characters are all matchlessly drawn.”
— Denver Post“Bowen’s writing is lean and full of mordant observations. His hardy characters…come to life, and his wry humor provides relief from the haunting, wind-bitten cattle-ranch landscape.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“The delight of this mystery is…the characters and the details of life among the Meti people. Christopher Lane shares those details with an intimate voice that drawls but still moves quickly.”
— AudioFile“The great story and narration make this a most enjoyable production…[Lane’s] skill is especially evident in the voices of the secondary characters when he reads scenes such as a shootout involving local law enforcement—the panic and terror of the dispatcher sound perfectly real.”
— Kliatt" terse but with humor and poignancy "
— Helen, 10/29/2013" I liked it ... the first Peter Bowen book I've read ... I'm looking for more of his stuff. "
— Rick, 9/26/2013" Absolutely delightful!!!! Shared it with Dan and made him homesick! He grew up in Montana about 60 miles from the "story" area. And being a French Canadian just added to it. I love Du Pre, and his women. I am also very happy that my crazy mom recommended this series. "
— Rhyannon, 10/9/2012" Thought it would be better. "
— Dorothy, 8/31/2012" Strangely written, but I liked the characters much -- I keep thinking about them. "
— Avary, 8/27/2012" Re-read this first of the Peter Bowen Gabriel Du Pre mysteries and was as impressed the 2nd time as the first. Excellent characterization anchors this quirky mystery set in Montana. You will find yorself thinking in the patois of Du Pre after a day or so. "
— Susan, 6/2/2012" Right up there with Robert Parker, Bowen has created a character of supreme intellect, great wit and readability. Fast paced, funny, thought provoking. Du Pre demands respect. I'll read 'em all, can't get enough. "
— Ron, 5/7/2012" Charming story of a Metis Indian named Gabriel Du Pre who is a cattle brand monitor, occasional sheriff deputy. Loved it. "
— Sandra, 4/13/2012" This book is the first in the Gabriel Du Pre series. Gabriel is a different kind of law enforcement officer. Native Indian brand inspector/part time cop. I like it and give it 3 stars. "
— Sheila, 4/10/2012" (168 pgs) "
— Saskia, 6/20/2011" terse but with humor and poignancy "
— Helen, 3/31/2011" I liked it ... the first Peter Bowen book I've read ... I'm looking for more of his stuff. "
— Rickbostian, 2/6/2011" Another case of more about the character than the mystery. At least the character's background connected directly with the mystery. Interesting use of Metís language style. I don't know how authentic, however Bowen is from MT. It still seemed a bit of a caricature. "
— Kae, 2/4/2011" Strangely written, but I liked the characters much -- I keep thinking about them. "
— Avary, 2/3/2011" This book is the first in the Gabriel Du Pre series. Gabriel is a different kind of law enforcement officer. Native Indian brand inspector/part time cop. I like it and give it 3 stars. "
— Sheila, 3/13/2010" Re-read this first of the Peter Bowen Gabriel Du Pre mysteries and was as impressed the 2nd time as the first. Excellent characterization anchors this quirky mystery set in Montana. You will find yorself thinking in the patois of Du Pre after a day or so. "
— Susan, 10/27/2008Peter Bowen lives in Livingston, Montana, and has worked as a cowboy, hunting and fishing guide, folksinger, poet, essayist, and novelist. He has written the Gabriel Du Pré mysteries in part because “the Métis are a great people, a wonderful people, and not many Americans know anything about them.”
Christopher Lane is an award-winning actor, director, and narrator. He has been awarded the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration several times and has won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards.